How to Choose the Proper Binding Method
There are several binding options available for printed pieces. This article will explain the various methods available and the distinguishing characteristics of each. Please note: There are several binding methods that are only available on very short run projects (1 - 200). We will not be discussing these binding methods. We will also not discuss hard back binding.
The first factor in narrowing down binding methods is page count. The most prevalent binding method is saddle stitching. Time magazine is a good example of this binding method. Projects over approximately 112 pages cannot be saddle stitched due to the physical thickness of the piece. Almost any piece may be bound using either of the methods shown below. In general, the use of the piece will guide you to the optimal binding method.
Listed below are various binding methods listed in ascending order of cost.
Loose Leaf - A series of sheets are collated and commonly three-hole drilled. Frequently the sheets are placed in a three-ring binder. Sometimes the sheets are stitched in the upper left-hand corner.
Pasting - Sheets are held together with a small bead of glue at the spine. This method can only be used for 8 or 12 page booklets. Characteristics: Lowest cost of any binding method, clean crisp appearance, booklets can be refolded with little added expense and in turn save postage.
Saddle Stitching - Sheets are held together by 2 metal stitches or staples. Characteristics: Low cost, very popular, books with low or medium page counts lay relatively flat, more durable than pasting.
Perfect Binding - yields what are commonly called paperback books. The interior sheets are bound to the cover using a liquid adhesive. Characteristics: Impressive appearance, suitable for large page counts, spine can be printed with company name and/or title. Note: perfect bound books do not lay flat when opened.
Spiral Binding - A wire is wound in a spiral fashion through holes punched into book. Wire can be coated with various colors. Characteristics: Suitable for larger page counts, pieces lay flat when opened, in most cases the cheapest binding method for thicker books, generally thought of as having a better appearance than GBC binding.
GBC Binding - named after the originator, General Binding Corporation. A plastic comb holds the pages together. Characteristics: Suitable for larger page counts, pieces lay flat when opened, more expensive than spiral binding.
Double-O-Wire Binding - A variation of spiral binding. Final product appears to have a series of parallel wire loops holding book together. Characteristics: Suitable for larger page counts, pieces lay flat when opened, most expensive type of "loose sheet binding, generally thought of as having a better appearance than GBC binding or conventional spiral.
Plastic Coil Binding - A strand of plastic is looped in a spiral pattern down the spine. It’s the same as spiral binding but with a plastic coil. Characteristics: Suitable for larger page counts, pieces lay flat when opened. The coil won’t bend like wire so the piece is more durable.
Lay Flat Perfect Binding - A type of perfect binding that will lay flat when opened. This method is useful for manuals. It is much more expensive than conventional perfect binding.
Edition Binding (hard bound) - Each book starts with folded signatures, usually 16 or 32 pages each. The signatures are collated and sewn together with special sewing machines. The result is then glued to an outer shell, called the case. The case is a series of cardboard held together with a wrapping of cloth or man-made material. In many cases the outer wrap is stamped with the book title and author. Characteristics: Hardbound books are durable. They last much longer than paperback books. Hardbound books also extend a feeling of importance.
Copyright 2005, The Catalog Works, All rights reserved
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