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The Different Types of Bindings

The original craft of bookbinding has dramatically evolved since its beginnings in the first century BC. In those days, religious texts were copied onto palm leaves, which were then numbered and bound together with twine. Clearly, binding is a centuries-old tradition and technique that is used on one of the most common items in the world: readable collections of bound paper.

While the ancient methods have become outdated due to a wide variety of contemporary techniques, the reasoning behind binding remains the same. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of bindings that are available to understand how to make the best choice for a printed project. One of these common binding techniques is sure to provide an attractive finishing touch to your print materials.

Saddle-Stitching: Stapled

Are you looking for a popular, economical binding choice? Saddle-stitching is a fairly easy process for print companies to do. In this method, document pages are loaded onto a conveyor to be quickly stitched together with metal staples. No stapler is involved, so the lines are clean down the middle to be folded effectively at the spine. This binding method is common for small projects, booklets, catalogs, calendars, newsletters, magazines, or short-term materials. Approximately 8 to 40 pages are the ideal page length for this cost-effective stapling technique.

Perfect Binding: Glued

Another one of the different types of bindings is rightly named the perfect method. Perfect binding is the most common option for modern paperback books that boast a range of hundreds of pages. It can also be used with some hardcover books, reports, or professional documents instead of the costly, sown case binding option.

In this method, super-strong glue is applied to the spine of a book block, and printed pages are lined up along the glue and perfectly cased within a softcover. With a flexible, square-printed spine and a heavier cardstock cover, the finished project is professionally durable and easy to stack.

Spiral or Wire-O Binding: Coil Bound

Any documents or print projects bound with spiral coils have the benefit of 360-degree rotation and the ability to open and lay flat. Spiral coils used for binding come in an assortment of materials, such as metal wire or plastic, as well as an array of colors and sizes. Punched pages are looped through the chosen coil to allow for easy copying, reading, and even notebook writing. Spiral binding is modern, highly efficient, and a durable, lower-cost option for a mixture of commercial projects.

The above types of binding are only a few of the options available to you from print shops or printing companies. Remember that you should base your final choice on the function of the project before any aesthetics. After that, consider page count and your overall printing budget. Out of the various printing companies in Maryland, House of Printing offers a wide range of equipment and print-services to help our clients achieve the most beautiful finished products. Our efficient and detail-oriented bindery department offers options for small and large-scale projects. Whatever your printing needs are, we’ve got you covered. Request a quote or sample today.