Book Binding Services in Los Angeles, CA
The printing press revolutionized many ways of printing, including bringing shorter books to the masses. From there, what we now know as binding was born. You can choose different types of binding based on function, page count, paper weight, usage, print quality, shipping and distribution, or budget.
As you order binding on your print order, make sure you ask your printer for a bound paper dummy made with the same paper and finishes that you are using to ensure you will like the finished look prior to ordering.
Types of Binding
Saddle Stitch
Saddle stitching is the most common type of binding for soft-cover books, mailers, manuals, newsletters, programs and catalogs. To saddle stitch, the printer punches wire through the document’s outside spine, then bends the wire flat on the inside center fold to grip all pages.
Pros
- Used for 8-80 page documents
- Opens flat
- Accommodates gatefolds, crossovers, and a wide range of sizes and formats
Cons
- Pages must be in multiples of four
- No printable spine
- Thickness limitations for number of pages and weight of paper stock
Loop Stitch
Loop stitching extends the staple wire beyond the spine to form a loop that you could use to put a booklet in a 3-ring binder. This is a great option for reference materials or training manuals.
Pros
- Used for 8-80 page documents
- Opens flat
- Accommodates gatefolds, crossovers, and a wide range of sizes and formats
Cons
- Pages must be in multiples of four
- No printable spine
- Thickness limitations for number of pages and weight of paper stock
Perfect Bound
Perfect binding trims the edges of the spine and glues the sheets together with a hot-melt adhesive. This is the go-to style for magazines, paperback books and directories.
Pros
- Used for 50-250 page documents
- Flat edge allows for printing on the spine
Cons
- Doesn’t lay flat when open
- Minimum thickness of booklet should be greater than 1/8 inch
Inline Glue Binding
This style is ideal for smaller booklets or envelopes. Here, a web press or folder applies thin strips of glue along fold lines, and then the sheet folds, the glued creases meet the glued folds to create a bond. They are then trimmed per specifications.
Pros
- Used for 8-, 12-, or 16-page booklets or multi-sectioned envelopes
- Gluing placement can be customizable per page
Cons
- Only for smaller booklets
Spiral Bound
Spiral bound uses a smooth round coil to hold pages together. Multiple holes are punched into the booklet and a wire is threaded through. The ends are crimped to prevent the wire from slipping.
Pros
- Used for 16-275 page documents
- Multiple colors are available for wires
Cons
- Pages don’t lay flat
Wire-O Bound
Similar to spiral bound, this binding uses formed “O” rings that get put into punched holes.
Where spiral binding is one continuous wire, wire-o binding uses separate pieces of wire for each hole.
Other types of binding:
Side Stitched
- Similar to Saddle Stitch
- Used for 2-300 page documents
Lay Flat
- Similar to Perfect Bound
- Used for 50-250 page documents
Sewn Bound
- Similar to Saddle Stitch, but the spine is sewn by machine
- Used fr 8-24 page documents
Smyth Sewn
- Sew through the fold of each signature, then sew the stacked group of signatures together. Finally, glue it all together and bind it with a hardcover.
- Highest quality book binding, used by libraries or art books
Tape Bound
- Similar to Perfect Bound, uses tape on the spine
- Used for 50-250 page documents
Screw Bound
- Holes are drilled through the document, and then screws and posts are inserted to hold the document together
- Used for 16-400 page documents
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