4 Types of Book Binding and When To Use Each

4 Types of Book Binding and When To Use Each

While everything might seem like it’s going digital, the ancient art of book binding is still around. There are four main types of book binding, each with its own pros and cons. It all depends on the type of document that needs binding.

If you’re trying to figure out what binding to use for your publication, you’ll want to be familiar with your options. The first step is to know exactly the type of document you’ll be binding and what your expectations are.

Once you know the right type of binding, you can increase the look and professionalism of your book. If you’re deciding between different types of book binding, here are the four main times.

1. Case (Hardcover) Binding

One of the most professional and well-known types of book binding is case binding, which is also known as case binding. Almost every major book used to be bound. Essentially, the inside pages are divided into sections and then sewn together.

Then, the sections are glued to end-papers that end up glued to the spine of the book. If you want your book or document to be flat when opened as well as have an impressive presentation, this is the best option.

There’s a sense of quality about case binding, it adds weight and importance. In addition to looking good, these books are also durable so you’ll know it’s a worthwhile investment.

Speaking of investment – that is one of the downsides. Case binding is often several times more expensive than perfect binding. Another thing is the weight, while it may provide for a nice presentation, it can end up costing more money when it needs to be shipped.

So if you have a higher budget for book binding and want to really stand out by having a high-quality product, case binding is the ideal option for you.

2. Perfect (Soft Cover) Binding

Another familiar sight for book binding is perfect binding, also known as softcover binding. Essentially, it’s a more affordable version of case binding since the cover is of lower quality. Softcover binding is made from heavyweight cardstock paper.

Usually, this cardstock paper is coated to help protect the book. When this type of binding is used, the pages and cover are glued together with super glue.

This is a great choice if you are looking for something similar to case binding but don’t have the budget. It is still high quality but without the extra sense of luxury. This means that your publication will still sell at a good price but it won’t break the bank.

The drawback is that you can’t lay the books flat on the table. They also aren’t as durable as case bound books.

3. Spiral, Comb, and Thermal Binding

If you plan on publishing a short-run publication or document then consider a comb, spiral, or thermal binding. Short-run publications allow a publisher or author to order books in smaller quantities. If it ends up selling well, more copies will be printed.

Due to the nature of these types of books, these different binding methods are the most effective.

Spiral binding involves punching similar holes and using a metal or plastic coil through those holes. Comb binding uses round plastic spines and threading them through rectangular holes. Thermal binding uses heat to bind the documents to the cover’s spine.

All of these are very affordable due to the low order quantity. However, that means that people who are reading will know that the content is self-published and a lot of distributors might not accept these types of binding.

If you aren’t publishing a book and this is for an academic or work project, it’s a perfect option to present something that is high quality but affordable.

4. Saddle Stitch Binding

If you have a book or document that has a small number of pages or it’s for short term use, consider saddle stitch binding. You often see this with more independent books, particularly comic books. It’s made by inserting staples into the spine of the printed matter.

Stitching can be done with a book cover or without one. Different examples of publications that use saddle stitch binding include brochures, catalogs, and manuals.

The great thing about this type of binding is that it is really affordable. Especially for small booklets that aren’t meant to have a long shelf life. Another great aspect of this type of binding is that most saddle-stitched books tend to lay flat.

If you’re in a rush? No problem. This type of binding can be done at home.

Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks when it comes to saddle stitch binding. For one, this is probably the least durable of all the options. It also doesn’t have the same high-quality look that case binding and perfect binding do.

Despite all that, it might still be the perfect option for you! Different types of books will need different binding and part of the fun is selecting what it will be.

Now that you know all your options, you might be wondering where to start. Companies like Team Concepts Printing have the best binding options for your document or publication.

Four Main Types of Book Binding

So what are the different types of book binding? While the previously mentioned are the four main types, there are several other types of book binding to look into. Nowadays, you have a myriad of options when it comes to customizing your document or publication.

The important thing to remember is to do your research and be sure to communicate with any company that will be doing the binding. While they may say not to judge a book by its cover, this might be the exception.

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