Unveiling is revealing something that has been hidden or covered up. It can be literal, like unveiling a new car model at an auto show, or symbolic, such as revealing secrets or plans.
There are various ways to bind books, each with unique pros and cons. We’ve rounded up some of the most popular methods and highlighted their benefits:
Spiral Binding
Spiral binding uses a plastic coil to wrap around the edges of your booklet, keeping it together while still allowing the pages to turn freely. It is the preferred method for cookbooks, calendars, and other publications that must lie flat while open. It can also accommodate a wide range of page counts.
When using spiral binding, holes are punched through the pages and cover to align with the coil diameter. The coil is then inserted into the holes, and a pair of crimping pliers are used to snip off the ends of the coil. This provides a finished look and prevents the book from becoming permanently distorted.
Spiral binding is also available in various spine colors, so it is easy to find one that fits the color scheme or branding for your project. It is an excellent option for books that will be used hands-frees, such as manuals or work instructions, since the pages can remain open while someone is performing the actions described.
Comb Binding
Comb binding is one of the most popular different types of book binding. It uses a cylindrical plastic spine with multiple curved tines that hold pages together. Each comb-shaped tine contains a small amount of tension and, when spread open, snaps back to its circular shape. This allows pages to be added and removed relatively quickly, which is great for books that need to be updated regularly, such as price guides, operations manuals, or telephone directories.
Plastic combs are available in various colors and allow for screen printing on the spine so that you can match your book’s cover with your branding. It’s also easy to open a comb-bound book flat on a table and use it hands-free, which is ideal for presentations and classes. However, a comb-bound book cannot be opened at 360 degrees, so it’s best used on smaller documents.
Coptic Stitching
Coptic stitch is a popular choice among book artists and hobbyists who make handmade journals, notebooks, sketchbooks, and one-of-a-kind gift books filled with memorabilia. It is a thread-sewn binding technique that looks particularly striking and offers flexibility in how the pages lie flat when the book is open.
The word Coptic comes from the early Christians in Egypt, the Copts, who first used this method to bind their manuscripts over 2000 years ago. Today, the term is also used to describe modern bindings sewn in a similar style.
Coptic stitch is a variation of the pamphlet stitch more suited to a book block with many pages. It consists of two or more signatures that are nested together with chain-like stitch linkings that expose the spine of the book. This makes it a very flexible and durable type of binding that can withstand some stretching or even opening the book completely flat.
Wire Binding
You may have seen wire binding on sketchbooks, notepads, and other professional documents. It offers a clean, high-class look for your booklets.
Also known as twin loop wire binding or wire-o binding, this type of binding uses a C-shaped metal spine element that is inserted through holes punched in your book’s cover and pages before being squeezed closed to form circular, double-looped binding elements. It’s often used for workbooks and instruction manuals, as well as books with lots of graphics that need to be displayed in a way that makes them easy to read.
This binding technique is more durable than spiral coil or comb binding, and it allows your book to open flat and accommodates a wide range of paper thicknesses. However, it could be better for a book that needs to be opened and modified frequently. For that, a custom-printed ringed binder is a better choice.
Japanese or Stab Binding
The Japanese or Stab binding is a simple but very pretty bookbinding technique. It produces a book with a strong spine and no need for the papers to be folded into separate book signatures. It can be done with a paper or fabric cover, and it is easy to make.
To make a traditional stab binding, begin by clipping the text block together using binder clips. This will help prevent the pages from shifting while you sew.
Once your clipped pages are even, use an awl to punch four holes into the template on the left-hand long edge. The holes should be about 1cm apart.
Next, fold your cover over the top of the text block. This will help reinforce the spine and keep it from tearing. Then, take your thread and enter it into the first hole from the front of the book.
Perfect Binding
You’ve used perfect binding if you’ve ever opened a commercial paperback novel. It’s a flat critical method where the pages are glued together using a strong yet flexible thermal glue and then uniformly trimmed on three sides. This creates a square spine edge and clean, “perfect” edges that are aesthetically pleasing.
For more extensive publications like catalogs, brochures, or workbooks, this is often the preferred method because it’s less expensive than saddle stitch and can be used for a wide range of page counts. If you’re looking for a durable soft cover option, a PUR (Polyurethane Reactive) binding process offers more durability than standard perfect binding.
This is also an excellent choice for books that will be handled frequently or must withstand climatic conditions. We recommend this option for projects over 48 pages and can print a custom cover in any color or material you’d like.
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