The Best Types of Binding for Booklets

Binding is pivotal for securing a good-quality printed booklet. Each type of book and booklet has a different type of binding set to them to display their features. In this article, you will find all the information you need to know about the different types of binding for booklets and which binding is best for your business booklets.

How to choose the best booklet bindings

Various styles of booklets are made up of different bindings. Each of these bindings can serve a different purpose when displaying information and can be stylish and practical. This article will cover:

1 Saddle stitch booklet printing

Saddle-stitching is very popular for economical binding methods for most booklets printed today. They are efficient because all you need to do is fold up to 64 pages of paper together and staple the fold line to form the booklet. Two staples are added at the top and bottom of the booklet.

The reason it is called saddle-stitching relates to how the sheets drape like a saddle, and this is how it is commonly known throughout the industry. The layout of your booklet is important, especially with how much information you can lay out across each page. Saddle-stitching uses folded pages, meaning you will end up with a blank page or two if it is not correctly folded. Standard page sizes are 8.5 x 11, so you need 11 x 17-inch sized sheet paper to allow the correct folding.

Saddle stitching is particularly cost-effective and is ideal for short-run projects or one-time events. In addition, you can use various paper styles and finishes to accommodate your saddle-stitching booklets, making them more professional and classier despite the low costs to purchase.

You can use saddle-stitched booklets for:

• Presenting articles
• Advertising
• Newsletters
• Calendars
• Comic books

 

IMPORTANT: Do not place text or graphics close to the fold or edge, as this can lead to it being creased or trimmed.

2 Spiral binding booklet printing

Another popular type of binding for booklets is spiral binding booklets, which offer a wide array of printing applications that are popular for businesses due to their simple design and cost-efficiency.

Spiral binding is recognised for its plastic coil binding that wraps around the spinal edge and covers of each page using evenly shaped holes. The coil ends are crimped to prevent them from unravelling.

You can customise the coil binding in any style and colour you like, although black is the most popular. The coil is also available in different diameters to accustom how many pages are inside the booklet.  Spiral binding is suitable for landscape and portrait paging, which makes the pages easier to turn up to 360 degrees to fold flat, are economical for short production, and the plastic coils are resistant to distortion.

The most familiar examples that spiral binding booklets are used for include:

• Pocket-sized books
• Oversized books
• Instruction manuals
• Cookbooks
• Travel guides
• PowerPoint presentations
• Textbooks
• Calendars

3 Perfect bound book printing

What makes perfect bound binding different from the others is that it uses an adhesive to contain the paging instead of wiring or coils. The adhesive is applied down the middle of the folded pages (the spine), and the cover with the pages cut to the same size for a perfectly shaped edge across all three sides.

Perfect binding is often used for softcover books and paperbacks to make the pages more secure, as there will be a heavier amount of stock involved. The adhesive appears as a clear coating and, although more costly than the other methods, will be more durable and more visually appealing.

You can use this form of binding for your booklets with:

• Corporate reports
• Product brochures
• Manuals
• Magazines

4 PUR Perfect Bound Book

Similar to perfect bound booklets, PUR perfect bound books are an improved version for those keen to make more of an impression with their soft cover books on the market. The spine is the only one available for printing, too, and is therefore the go-to method for magazines, catalogues and more.

Using EVA adhesive glue will instantly give your booklets a longer-lasting shelf life. The PUR will also correct another error for perfect bound books by allowing them to lie flat on a surface after being opened. The flexible glue enables the spine to be opened more easily, and less glue will be needed for a flexible booklet.

PUR perfect bound booklets are better for your business if you want a longer-lasting life out of your products, and depending on this or traditional EVA glue, will determine the amount of time you can use the booklets for.

Benefits of PUR-bound booklets also include:

• A thin layer of glue to make a more flexible spine and cleaner appearance
• It can be laid flat on a surface without the spine splitting
• 50% stronger than EVA-bound booklets
• Essential for booklets with high page counts

 

5 Hardback books

Hardback books, booklets, and covers are traditionally used for case binding and are defined as the most ‘premium’ throughout the industry due to their high-quality and durability. Chipboard is used as part of the lamination for more sturdiness from the hardback spine with the best glue available on the market. Hardcovers are used for page ranges between 30-400.

Hardcover booklets have unique qualities, including their end sheets which creates a smooth appearance for the booklet and are found at the beginning and end of the book. Unfortunately, printing is not available for the end sheets, and therefore you will need to start your content on the right-hand side of the booklet.

Hardcover booklets and books are used for:

• Cookbooks
• Yearbooks
• Textbooks
• Photobooks
• Coffee table books

Benefits of hardcover booklets include:

• Lamination to protect the cover from scratches
• Matte or gloss are the best design covers recommended for hardcovers
• PUR glue will keep the spine secure

6 Wire-O Booklet Printing

Wire-O booklet bindings are very similar to spiral binding, except this time, the binding coil is made from metal instead of plastic. This form of binding is used for presentation booklets, reports, workbooks, catalogues, cookbooks and more. Like spiral coil binding, the coil runs throughout the booklet at a vertical length, with each coil separate from the one before it, filling up two holes across each page.

The wire loops are available in numerous colours and styles. Wire-O is very popular because:

• Pages open to 360 degrees.
• Pages are easier to turn.
• The wiring binding is suitable for light and heavy page counts
• It can accommodate index tabs
• Fit for thick paper stocks

Check out these interesting facts about the history of booklet binding. 

 

Booklet Bindings Bound To Make An Impression

There is plenty of variety regarding what best form of binding is the best option for your booklets. It ultimately depends on what you want to get out of your booklets, and how much information you want to convey for your business. The best way of looking at this is to put yourself in the mind of your customers: do you want the information to be brief and concise? Should the booklet be easy to carry around and place in your pocket? Once you consider these factors, you can begin crafting your booklets and get your business news selling like hotcakes!

FAQs

1. What are the best binding types for booklets?

   • Saddle Stitching: This popular binding method uses staples to secure folded sheets along the centerfold. It is cost-effective and ideal for booklets with a lower page count.
   • Perfect Binding: This method uses glue to attach the booklet's pages to a wraparound cover. It provides a professional and polished look and is suitable for booklets with a higher page count.
   • Wire-O Binding: This binding involves a double-loop wire inserted through punched holes along the booklet's edge. It allows the booklet to lay flat when opened and is suitable for thicker booklets.
   • Coil Binding: This binding uses a plastic coil that is inserted through punched holes along the booklet's edge. It provides flexibility and durability, allowing the booklet to lay flat and handle frequent use.
   • Comb Binding: This method uses a plastic comb inserted through rectangular holes along the booklet's edge. It offers ease of use and allows for easy page additions or removals.

2. How do I choose the best binding type for my booklet?

   • Consider the booklet's purpose and usage. Saddle stitching works well for brochures or magazines, while perfect binding is ideal for formal presentations or catalogs.
   • Evaluate the booklet's page count. Saddle stitching is suitable for booklets with fewer pages, while perfect binding, wire-O binding, coil binding, or comb binding are better for thicker booklets.
   • Think about the budget and timeframe. Saddle stitching is generally more cost-effective, while perfect binding or specialty bindings may require more resources and time.

3. Can I add or remove pages with certain binding types?

   • Some binding types, like wire-O binding, coil binding, and comb binding, allow for easy page additions or removals. Perfect binding, on the other hand, is not as conducive to page changes.

4. Which binding type offers a booklet that lays flat when opened?

   • Wire-O binding and coil binding both allow booklets to lay flat when opened, making them suitable for manuals, workbooks, or any booklet that requires easy reading or writing.

5. What binding type is most durable?

   • Perfect binding, wire-O binding, coil binding, and comb binding all offer durability. However, wire-O binding and coil binding are often considered the most durable as the wire or coil can withstand frequent handling and use.

6. Can I print on the spine of a booklet with certain binding types?

   • Yes, perfect binding and some specialty bindings allow for printing on the spine. This is useful for displaying the booklet's title or other information when stored on a shelf.

7. Are there any environmentally friendly binding options for booklets?

   • Some environmentally friendly options include saddle stitching and perfect binding with eco-friendly adhesives. Additionally, choosing recycled or sustainably sourced materials for covers and pages contributes to eco-friendly practices.

 

Sources

University of Adelaide Library. (n.d.). Cover to Cover: Binding the Modern Book. [Accessed 26/05/23] Retrieved from: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/exhibitions/cover-to-cover/#:~:text=A%20binding%20tells%20us%20as,owner's%20economic%20and%20social%20standing.