Frequently asked questions

For cartons kept dry and used within a few weeks, galvanised (G.I.) stitching wire is the usual choice and the lowest cost per pin. For humid storage, the monsoon or coastal warehouses, rust resistant or Power G.I. stitching wire has a heavier zinc coating that keeps rust away for longer. For export cartons, pharma packaging and any box where a rust mark is not acceptable, use pure brass stitching wire. It contains no steel, so it cannot rust.

G.I. stitching wire is mild steel wire with a zinc coating. The coating is only on the surface, so once it is scratched or worn through, the steel underneath can rust. Brass stitching wire is made from a solid copper and zinc alloy with no steel in it, so there is nothing to rust and no coating to wear off.

Brass costs several times more per kilogram. But one stitch uses only about 45 mm of wire, so the extra cost is usually less than one percent of the value of the carton. Run the numbers for your own box →

The gauge depends on two things: the board you are stitching and the machine you use. 20 to 22 gauge suits multiwall and heavy duty board. 23 to 24 gauge suits most single and double wall cartons. 25 to 26 gauge is used for light board, book stitching and saddle stitching.

Always check which gauges your machine can take before you change, because it is set up for a particular wire size. The machine finder lists the range for the common makes.

The most common causes are: uneven flattening, so the thickness changes along the wire; too much coating building up in the wire guide; the wrong gauge for the machine; a worn or misaligned cutter and former; and badly wound spools that cause the wire to snag.

Only the first two are caused by the wire itself. Wire that is checked lot by lot for thickness, width and strength should not break because of the wire.

Keep spools in their original wrapping, on pallets rather than on the floor, in a dry covered area away from outside walls. Avoid rooms where the temperature changes sharply, because moisture forming on cold metal is the main cause of rust in stored galvanised wire. Use older stock first.

Brass and copper wire do not rust in storage and can be kept for as long as needed.

Yes. Export orders are packed on sealed reels, with anti rust (VCI) wrapping where needed, palletised and shrink wrapped, with test certificates and packing lists for every reel. Moisture inside shipping containers is the biggest cause of rust on stitched cartons, so we usually recommend brass or copper wire for cartons going by sea.

Yes. We make M.S., high carbon and stainless steel wire nails; commercial, high tensile, G.I., stainless steel and PVC coated wire ropes; and compression, tension and torsion springs and wire forms. Send us the type, size and quantity you need and we will send you a quote. See our wire products →

Samples are available as single spools to test on your own machine. Regular supply is quoted by the lot. Tell us the grade, gauge and monthly quantity you need and we will send a quote. Send an enquiry.