Types of 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. Yet, almost any piece may be bound using any of the methods shown below. In general, the use of the piece will guide you to the optimal binding method
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
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.
GBC Binding
Named after the originator: General Binding Corporation. Pages are held together by a plastic comb. Characteristics: suitable for larger page counts, pieces lay flat when opened, more expensive than spiral binding
Spiral Binding
A wire is wound in a spiral fashion through holes punched into the book. The 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.
Double-O-Wire Binding
A variation of spiral binding. Final product appears to have a series of parallel wire loops holding the 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.
Lay Flat Perfect Binding
A type of perfect binding that will lay flat when opened. Useful for manuals. Much more expensive than conventional perfect binding.