A Guide to Binding Multi-Page Documents for Graphic Designers

Binding is mostly an issue where multi-page documents are concerned, like magazines, books and multi-page event programs. Most multi-page event programs are center-stapled (saddle stitch), as are most magazines. Only a few high-end magazines, like National Geographic, take the extra expense of having a glued binding. Briefly, here's a list of the most common kinds of binding.

Comb Binding:

A flexible plastic binder is poked through holes punched in the edge of a paper.

Double Loop Wire:

Similar to spiral bound, but uses a double loop of wire instead of a single strand of wire.

Lay Flat Bind: A kind of Perfect Binding (See below), which allows a project to lay on a flat surface and the pages to be spread out. Also known as Lay Flat Perfect Binding

Perfect Binding:

Pages bounds with glue at the spine with a cover wrapped around the pages and also attached to the spine with glue. A strip of gauze to assist with the attaching process may or may not be included in the spine. This is most commonly seen in paperback books. Also called adhesive bind, cut-back bind, glue bind, paper bind, patent bind, perfecting bind, soft bind and soft cover. Standard paperback books use this type of binding.

Post Binding

Source Stanford.edu

Pages held with a screw and post. The pages have punched holes to allow the post. Most commonly seen in ledger books.

Round Back Binding:

Source Northwestern University

To casebind with a rounded spine, instead of a flat spine.

Saddle Stitches:

Source Montana.edu

Saddle-Stitching is a method of securing loose printed pages with staples down the middle of a folded sheaf of papers. Many booklets are saddled-stitched. Side-stitching is a similar method where the pages are stapled about 1/4" from the spine.

Side Stitch:

Source Montana.edu

When the document is too large for saddle-stitching it may be side-stitched or side stapled. The staples are placed about 1/4" or so from the edge. A cover may be glued on. Side-stitched books can't be opened flat and extra allowance is needed in the inner margin.

Spiral Bind

Source Bound to Impress

Pages bound with a wire or plastic which is looped through holes. Also called coil bind. Commonly seen in spiral-bound notebooks.

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