Vol. 1 / Issue 12

Bindings, bindings, bindings, there are so many to choose from. But how do you choose the right one for your project? A good place to start is by narrowing the choices down based on the number of pages your project has. Below is a reference chart of the types of bindings and their uses.

Saddle stitched – used for projects with 8-80 pages. It is economical and versatile. Staples are placed along the spine of the document and then bent flat on the center fold to grip all the pages.

Loop Stitched – used for projects with 8-80 pages. It is comparable to saddle stitching, but with a different effect. Loops are created with wire along the external spine in order to insert and secure the document into a 3-ring binder. Great option for information installments that can be added to larger collection. Stab Stitched (aka Side Stitched) - used for projects with 2 -300 pages. This method uses wire that is stabbed into the front cover, through the inside pages and back cover of the document, instead of along the spine. It is often covered to hide the wire.

Sewn Bound - used for projects with 8-24 pages. This option is also similar to saddle stitching, but uses thread instead of wire. Thread is stitched along the entire spine. As more pages are added it begins to closely resemble case binding, but without the hardcover. This option can be rather pricey. Perfect Bound - used for projects with 50-250 pages. Sections of folded pages (signatures) have their spines trimmed off and roughed up to improve bonding with glue. All sections are collated and glued to its wrap-around cover. The cover is always scored on back and front, for ease of opening and less stress on spine.

Tape Bound - used for projects with 50-250 pages. This method involves an adhesive tape that is wrapped around the spine to hold the covers and inside pages in place. Usually the pages need to be stitched together prior to affixing the tape to reinforce them and provide added strength.

Screw Bound - used for projects with 16-400 pages. In screw, stud or post binding, first holes are drilled through the complete document. Then a barrel post is inserted through the holes and a cap screw is added to the post to hold everything together. This option is frequently used for swatch books. This also tends to be a pricey option.

Hardcover (aka Case Bound) - used for projects with 60-400 pages. Standard binding used for hardcover books. There are several different types to choose from, but it typically involves the inside pages being sewn together in sections. These are then glued to end papers, which are glued to cover’s spine. This tends to be the most expensive option for bindings.

Plastic Grip - used for projects with 2-250 pages. This simple and easy method uses a molded 3-sided plastic spine. By prying apart the two vertical strips the entire document is guided through one end of the plastic grip until it covers the full length of the spine. This is a very economical option for binding. Comb Bound (aka Plastic Bound) - used for projects with 2-250 pages. This is another economical method suitable for manuals and books that need to lay flat when open. Using rectangular holes punched through the document, the plastic comb’s rings are threaded through holes. Page edges at spine are covered by plastic comb.

Spiral Bound (aka Comb Bound) - used for projects with 16-275 pages. This option utilizes a smooth round coil to hold pages together. This allows the book to lie flat when open or the pages can be turned all the way around to the back if desired. Wire is threaded through punched holes and then ends are crimped to prevent the wire slipping off. Spirals or coils are available in variety of colors.

Wire-O Bound (aka Wire Bound) - used for projects with 16-275 pages. The highly popular Wire-O option uses formed wire that threads through punched holes. This allows the book to lay flat when open. The wire loops are available in variety of colors to coordinate with cover color if you so desire. It’s a durable option for a wide variety of project types.