Binding Explained
Once we have printed your document it generally needs binding, there are many different kinds of binding available, we have tried to cover as many different kinds as possible below. Some of these binding types will be more applicable to certain uses, longer or shorter runs and some will be more durable than others. It's always safest to ask us if you are at all unsure.
Saddle Stitching (Saddle Wire / Stitch Trim)
Definition: Saddle Stitching is a method of binding one or more printed sections together, with or without a cover, by means of wire staples (stitches) through the spine and centrefold. Otherwise known as Booklet Making or Stitched.
What is it used for? Commonly used for Brochures, Annual Reports, Booklets, Newsletters, Price Lists, Catalogues, Parish Plans, Town Plans
At What Point do we do it? Saddle Stitching is a print finishing process (after printing).
How do we do it? Our Stitch Trimming machine will inset (gather) sections, stitch with the number and type of wire required and trim on 3 edges to the finished size.
More about... We can saddle stitch with up to 4 stitches (wires). Endorse Folding (folding in half after stitching) is possible by using our mobile knife unit, enabling thin products to be folded in half after stitching and trimming.
Loop Stitching (Loop stitch 2 wires, loop stitch 4 wires)
Definition: Loop Stitching is a method of binding one or more printed sections together, with or without a cover, by means of loop wire staples (stitches) through the spine and centrefold. The loops enable the printed item to be inserted into a Ring Binder
What is it used for? Commonly used for Brochures, Price Lists, Catalogues, Booklets, Newsletters, Parish Plans, Town Plans where they need to be inserted into 2 or 4 ring Ring Binders
At What Point do we do it? Loop Stitching is a print finishing process (after printing).
How do we do it? Our Stitch Trimming machine will inset (gather) sections, stitch with the number and type of wire required and trim on 3 edges to the finished size.
More about... We can Loop stitch with up to 4 stitches (wires).
Perfect Binding
Definition: Perfect Binding is a method for binding printed sheets suitable for binding documents where they are too thick to saddle stitch. Perfect Binding is most commonly used on paperback books.
What is it used for? Commonly used for Price Lists, Magazines, Brochures, Catalogues, PLOF, Books, Parish Plans, Town Plans
At What Point do we do it? Perfect Binding is a print finishing process (after printing).
How do we do it? The pages and printed sections are gathered in order, spine milled (the spine is ground to provide a key), and held together with a hot melt adhesive. A cover (usually on a heavier paper weight) is attached to the spine and is formed around the book.
More about... The minimum thickness of a perfect bound print job is approx 3mm (around 48pp). The maximum thickness is 50mm.
PUR Binding
PUR binding is very similar to perfect binding. But uses a more durable and flexible glue. It is nearly impossible to remove pages from a PUR Bound book, and the spine doesn't deteriorate with age. Ideal for printed items that need to be durable reference tools - Catalogues, price lists, prospectus, brochures, town plans, parish plans etc
Sewn with Drawn on Cover
Definition: This method of binding is very similar to perfect binding. However, the sections are gathered in order, sewn together using thread, adhesive applied to the sewn spine, and the cover attached (drawn on) and formed around the book.
What is it used for? Ideal for printed items that need to be durable reference tools - Price Lists, Books, Prospectus, Brochures, Town Plans, Parish Plans etc
At What Point do we do it? Sewn Binding is a print finishing process (after printing).
How do we do it? This method of binding is very similar to perfect binding. But uses a more durable and flexible glue. It is nearly impossible to remove pages from a PUR Bound book, and the spine doesn't deteriorate with age. Ideal for printed items that need to be durable reference tools - Price Lists, Prospectus, Brochures, Town Plans, Parish Plans etc
Stab Stitching
Definition: Stab Stitching is used mainly for office documents and in essence is two or more very strong, long staples that bind together loose sheets up to 25mm thick.
What is it used for? Commonly used for Office stationery eg. NCR Pads, Purchase Order Pads, Invoice Pads, Sales Order Forms etc
At What Point do we do it? Stab Stitching is a print finishing process (after printing).
How do we do it? Loose sheets are collated, usually with a grey backboard and Manila top sheet, they are stab stitched with our stab stitching machine approx 8mm from the edge and to ensure the item is secure and presentable we then apply calico tape to the spine.
Corner Stitch
Definition: A method for binding loose sheets suitable for documents up to 3mm thick.
What is it used for? Commonly used for hand outs, proposal documents etc
At What Point do we do it? Corner Stitching is a print finishing process (after printing).
How do we do it? The pages are collated in order and a single wire stitch (staple) is used to secure the document in the corner.
Wiro Binding
Definition: A method for binding loose leaves using a series of metal wire loops formed from a single continuous wire run through punched holes on the binding edge.
What is it used for? Commonly used for Price Lists, PLOF, Training Manuals, Calendars, Note Pads, Parish Plans, Town Plans
At What Point do we do it? Wiro Binding is a print finishing process (after printing).
How do we do it? The pages are gathered in order, punched, and the metal wiro spine is inserted and clenched.
More about... Wiro Binding allows the book to lie flat and is such is well suited to the production of manuals.
Spiral Binding
Similar to Wiro Binding, Spiral Binding attached the loose sheets by means of a plastic or metal plastic coil being passed through the punched holes. A wide range of coloured coils are available. Most commonly used for the production of very thick price lists, road atlases, reference manuals and training manuals. Pages from spiral bound documents cannot come undone from the binding.
Comb Binding
Again very similar to wiro binding, but instead uses a plastic comb instead of a wire. Mainly used for office documents.
Binding Screws
Definition: Used for binding loose sheets, pillar and post screws are used to secure the printed document.
What is it used for? Commonly used for product swatches, photo albums, bespoke brochures etc
At What Point do we do it? Binding Screws are a print finishing process (after printing).
How do we do it? The pages are gathered in order, drilled, and the pillars and posts are inserted until they meet - they are secure by screwing the pillar and post together..
More about... Interscrews are available in Brass, Nickel, Black or White Plastic. Available heights for book thicknesses are 2, 3.5, 6, 10, 12, 16, 20, and 25mm.
