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Printing Projects

Books

By Winn Apple | Published March, 2014

All bound up over books...don't be.

There is no need to get yourself unraveled over the printing and production of books and other page filled product - that's the printers job.
No doubt, it can get pretty hairy if the binding is particularly tricky.

If you have any sort of regular job that requires booklet or book binding, like a quarterly report, newsletter or annual publication, you'll want to find a printer you can count on.

These sort of projects are not cheap. You certainly don't want them to look that way!

The type of binding is usually selected based on the function of the document, the number of pages it contains and the printing budget. Strangely, esthetics are usually considered last in the decision-making, unless quality is a priority and budget is not a factor, or the binding itself is part of the conceptual design.

What types of stitching are there to consider? Well, the most common are the ones that your printer will most likely handle in-house.

Saddle Stitch
Probably the most common and economical binding method. Created by punching wire through the documents outside spine, then bending the wire flat on the inside centre fold to grip all the pages. It may provide a similar look, but is not the same as stapling.

Wire-O
Highly popular Wire-O option uses formed wire that threads through punched holes. This allows books to lay flat when open. Wire loops are available in variety of colors to coordinate with cover color. A durable option for a wide variety of project types

There are binding types that your printer may manage with an outside bindery.

Loop Stitched
Comparable to saddle stitching, but with a different effect. Loops are created with wire along the external spine in order to insert and secure the document into a 3-ring binder. Great option for information installments that can be added to larger collection.

Stab Stitched or Side Stitched
Stab or side stitching uses wire that is 'stabbed' into the front cover, through the inside pages and back cover of the document, instead of along the spine. Often covered to hide the wire.

Sewn Bound
Similar to saddle stitching, but uses thread instead of wire. Thread is stitched along the entire spine. As more pages are added it begins to closely resemble case binding, but without the hardcover.

Perfect Bound
Sections of folded pages (signatures) have their spines trimmed off and roughed up to improve bonding with glue. All sections are collated and glued to its wrap-around cover. Cover is always scored on back and front, for ease of opening and less stress on spine.

Tape Bound
This method involves an adhesive tape being wrapped around the spine to hold the covers and inside pages in place. Usually pages need to be stitched together prior to affixing the tape to reinforce and provide added strength

Screw Bound
In screw, stud or post binding, first holes are drilled through the complete document. Then a barrel post is inserted through the holes and a cap screw is added to the post to hold everything together. Frequently used for swatch books.

Hardcover or Case Bound
Standard binding used for hardcover books. Several different types to choose from, but typically involves inside pages being sewn together in sections. These are then glued to end papers which are glued to cover's spine.

Plastic Grip
This simple and easy method uses a molded 3-sided plastic spine. By prying apart the 2 vertical strips the entire document is guided through one end of the plastic grip until it covers the full length of the spine.

Comb Bound or Plastic Bound
Economical method suitable for manuals and books that need to lay flat when open. Using rectangular holes punched through the document, the plastic combs rings are threaded through holes. Page edges at spine are covered by plastic comb.

Spiral Bound or Coil Bound
Utilizes a smooth round coil to hold pages together. Allows book to lie flat when open or pages can be turned all the way around to the back if desired. Wire is threaded through punched holes and then Ends are crimped to prevent wire slipping off. Spirals or coils are available in variety of colors.

With all of these options, how the heck does one decide on a type if binding? Well, you'll probably narrow it down pretty quickly simply based on your budget. Some of these binding options can get quite pricy. Your project, as lovely as it is, may not call for anything extreme

The course of action when planning to print a multipage piece is start by locating an expert printer. Find out what types of binding they handle. Some types they will do in-house adn other types they will send off to a bindery - but you'll want to be certain that there is a bindery that offers the type of binding you need.

You don't want to design a book or other multi-page piece, only to find out that binding is an issue - then you will be in a bind!

The above examples were all beautifully printed here at PrintingGreen / Bacchus Press. We have over 33 years of experience delivering Award Winning Printing. If you have a print job in the works but need some guidance don't hesitate to drop us a line or submit a quote request for your more complex printing.

In addition to crafting content and blogs, Winn Apple writes short stories and novellas for middle-grade readers. You can find her short stories along with a portfolio on her site, MysticJunkyard.com or on her soon to release website, snugbuggle.com - the best darn place to find short stories for kids.

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