The type of binding you’ll choose for your next publication depends on a number of factors. Among these is the page count, the document’s purpose, how and where it will be used, and how will it need to function. With good design, vibrant color, and good paper choices, all of the following binding methods can make you proud!
Common Types of Binding in the Commercial Print Industry
Saddle Stitching
Saddle stitching is the most popular and also the most cost-effective method of binding. Saddle stitching is a binding method that involves folding sheets of paper in half and securing them together with staples along the fold, creating a booklet or pamphlet format. You can have a self-cover booklet where all pages are on the same paper. You can also choose to have a “plus cover” booklet where the outer four pages are on a different stock, typically heavier, which enhances the feel of the document.
The saddle stitching process starts with folding pages into signatures. The signatures are then picked up one at a time from their assigned pockets, mechanically opened, and dropped onto an inverted V-shaped continuous cycling conveyor called a saddle.
The first signature dropped on the saddle is the innermost (center) and then the conveyor movement allows the next signature to drop on top of the first and so on. The cover (outer 4 pages) is the last to be dropped and aligned before stapling through the spine (folded centerline). The booklet then proceeds to the three-knife trimmer where the three live edges are trimmed for a neat, finished appearance.
Advantages of Saddle Stitch Binding
- The least expensive binding method
- Ideal for small or large production quantities
- Pages stay open when the document is laid flat
- Ideal for documents with lower page counts, such as booklets, brochures, calendars, pocket guides, and programs
- Easily accommodates crossover artwork that spreads across two facing pages with images bleeding to the gutter being visible
- Adds no bulk making it ideal for documents that are being mailed
At Premier Print Group, we use a Müller Martini Saddle Stitcher. This totally automated stitcher has eight pockets, a cover feeder, multiple stitcher heads, and a 3-knife trimmer, all in line. It also features signature recognition cameras, assuring all signatures are fed and in the proper order.
Perfect Binding
Paperback books found on bookstore shelves are perfect examples of this binding method. Perfect binding is a bookbinding method that attaches the pages and cover of a publication together with a strong adhesive along the spine, creating a clean, professional finish ideal for higher page count materials. This is ideal for publications with higher page counts than are suitable for saddle stitching. Perfect binding holds the collated pages together by gluing the spine of its wrap-around cover with a flexible adhesive.
Once signatures are gathered, one on top of the next, jogged and clamped, the folded edge on the binding side is ground off creating a somewhat rough surface that the adhesive easily adheres to. With the adhesive applied to the edges of all pages, the cover is then aligned and clamped on before trimming occurs on the three live edges.
Advantages of Perfect Binding
- Less expensive than case binding (hardcover)
- Lighter than hardcover binding
- Can be used cost-effectively on short print runs
- Creates a flat spine that can be printed on
- Higher perceived value than saddle stitching
- Ideal for documents that contain hundreds of pages
- Easy to stack
Spiral & Wire-O Binding
Spiral and Wire-O binding can be excellent choices for presentation documents, handbooks, calendars, journals, training manuals, and cookbooks. Spiral and Wire-O binding are binding methods that use a continuous wire or plastic spiral coil inserted through holes along the edge of the pages, allowing documents to lay flat and enabling easy page turning.
Spiral and Wire-O binding involves punching evenly spaced holes along the edge of the document and then weaving a material through the holes to hold the covers and pages together. This material is typically a plastic coil for spiral binding or metal double loops for Wire-O. Spiral binding is the less expensive option, while Wire-O binding has a more polished look and a higher perceived value than spiral binding.
Advantages of Spiral and Wire-O Binding
- Pages lay flat when open
- Pages can be folded back on themselves 360 degrees with no harm to the binding
- Documents can accommodate covers and inside papers of varying thicknesses
- Accommodates a wide range of page counts (low, high, or in between)
- Ideal for documents that feature index tabs
- Plastic coil and Wire-O materials are available in a variety of colors
Case Binding
Case binding is the granddaddy of all the binding methods. Case binding is a durable bookbinding method that involves encasing the book's pages within a rigid cover, typically made of cardboard, providing a professional and elegant appearance suitable for long-lasting publications. Picture a hardcover book and you are seeing an example of this. They can look elegant on a coffee table. They can endure rugged use as experienced with textbooks. Case bound books seemingly last forever with many that are centuries old on library shelves.
Case binding involves sewing the pages of the book in page order, then attaching a hard cover made of thick, rigid paperboard. Many of these books have an added dust jacket.
Advantages of Case Binding
- Highest perceived value of all the binding options
- Superior strength and durability
- Easy to stack
How to Decide Which Binding Method Is Best for Your Document
Customers come to Premier Print Group with a wide variety of challenges and goals. Choosing the best binding option to suit their purposes is one of them. Here are some things we recommend that they consider when making their choice.
Budget
When considering binding options, you have several choices that range from least expensive to most expensive: saddle stitched, perfect bound, spiral bound, and case bound. Saddle stitching is a cost-effective option, especially suitable for booklets with a lower page count, typically under 100 pages. This method involves folding sheets of paper and stapling them along the fold, resulting in a durable and visually appealing finish. If keeping your costs down is a top consideration for your project, saddle stitching is an excellent choice, provided the page count allows for it. For larger volumes, you might explore perfect binding, which offers a more polished look but at a higher price point.
Number of Pages
It is best to check with your printer regarding the ideal page counts for various binding methods, as this can significantly impact the quality and durability of your printed materials. For example, if you are using a thinner text stock, such as 60# gloss, you can saddle stitch up to 96 pages in addition to the cover, which provides a clean and professional finish. However, it's important to note that using heavier stock will reduce the maximum number of pages you can bind, as the thickness increases the bulk of the finished product. Additionally, other binding methods, such as perfect binding or spiral binding, may impose fewer restrictions based on the thickness of the paper, allowing for greater flexibility in your project.
Type of Document
If your document is a booklet, brochure, small catalog, or any other type of printed material that has a limited shelf life—perhaps due to seasonal promotions or time-sensitive information—it's best to consider the economy of saddle stitching. This method is cost-effective and efficient for shorter runs, ensuring you can produce high-quality materials without breaking the bank. On the other hand, if your document is a book that you intend to keep for an extended period, whether it's a reference book, a novel, or a comprehensive guide, you should consider any of our other binding options. These alternatives, such as perfect binding or coil binding, offer enhanced durability and a more professional finish, making them ideal for works that require longevity and a polished appearance.
Usage
Will your readers need to lay your publication open on a flat surface for easy reference? This is particularly important for instructional materials, such as how-to guides or cookbooks, where users often need to follow steps or recipes while keeping the book open. In such cases, you should probably avoid perfect or case binding, as these types of bindings can make it difficult for the pages to stay flat. Instead, consider opting for saddle stitching, coil binding, or Wire-O binding. These methods allow the pages to lay open and flat, providing a more user-friendly experience that enhances usability and convenience. This way, your readers can easily refer to important information without the frustration of constantly holding the pages down.
Spreads
Will your document feature two-page spreads where images seamlessly crossover from one page to the next? If so, you’ll want to consider binding options like saddle stitching, perfect binding, or case binding. Each of these methods has its unique advantages, but for showcasing two-page spreads effectively, saddle stitching is the standout choice. This technique allows the gutter—the inner margin where pages meet—to remain clearly visible when the pages are laid flat, which is crucial for maintaining the aesthetic flow of large images or designs that span across both pages. Additionally, saddle stitching is a cost-effective option for smaller booklets and magazines, making it a popular choice among publishers and designers alike.
Preparing for a Binding Project with a Commercial Printer
At Premier Print Group, we leave nothing to chance when it comes to printing and finishing your documents. And this includes helping you prepare your document with the final binding in mind. Here are things we recommend you consider.
Watch Your Gutters
The gutter is the area of your document that leads into the binding. When you open the document, the gutter is the vertical space in the middle, between the two pages. When you are designing your document, watch your gutters. What you bleed into the gutter and remain visible depends on the kind of binding you are using.
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- Saddle stitching: Everything that’s printed across the gutter is visible.
- Spiral and Wire-O binding: The binding breaks across the gutter, separating the two facing pages. Keep type and images ½” away from the binding edge which will be punched.
- Perfect binding and case binding: Images and text that are printed too close to the gutter may get lost.
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What this all means is that if you are going to use saddle stitching, you can place images and text as close to the gutter as you like. But if you are going to use spiral, Wire-O, perfect, or case binding, keep your gutters clear of text and images.
If you are designing a document that will be saddle stitched, your page count must be in multiples of four. Exception: It is possible to have fold-out pages (like a 6-page centerspread), but be sure to check with your printer for the exact dimensions of these pages. The need for multiples of four pages does not apply to the plastic coil, Wire-O, perfect binding, or case binding.
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Summary
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The type of binding you choose for your publication depends on your budget, your audience, how the document will be used, how you want readers to perceive your brand, and plenty more. Once you weigh your options, you are ready to choose the binding method that satisfies all of your requirements.
Premier Print Group is dedicated to providing superior products and services. Our experts are always glad to assess your projects and determine the best printing and bindery methods to ensure the highest quality and your total satisfaction. Contact us and let’s start a conversation. Contact us and let’s start a conversation.
