5 Booklet Binding Methods You Can Consider

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Bookbindings come in many shapes, types, methods, and sizes. It means that one can control what they want their book to look like. It is also a great consideration for those who are going to publish a book. So, one gets complete control over how thick the book will be, how it looks like, how it is going to sit as a booklet, and how formal the binding will be. 

But, aside from the appearance point. Choosing the proper and the best booklet binding methods also determine how long your book will last again, strain or before it starts coming apart. For you who are new in the world of booklet binding, there are at least three basics. They are punch and bind, thermal, and stitched. But you can learn more from this list.  

1. Punch And Bind 

One of the easier to pick methods is the punch and bind method. Just as the name says, it is a booklet design that revolves around punching out holes on the prints. The holes are means to keep the materials together. One thing that is unique about this method is the range of materials and possibilities. 

The binding materials will go through the holes and later be covered or not make a specific model. But, the design of this connecting method is continuously updated and changing. From the traditional string material, now you can use plastic, rings, comb, or wire-o design. It means that the booklet binding is one of the most available and doable. 

Another point that is worth noting is the binding durability. Your booklet can stay quite long and durable since the joint materials are not directly in contact with the paper. However, the material option might affect the durability as well. The small holes can easily get ripped out if the spine is not commensurate. 

1.1. Wire- O 

The use of a wire-o binding method is pretty common in printing design. It is very popular, durable, flexible, and economical. Due to the rounded spine, you can open the booklet flat. The process is also very easy to do. Professionals will punch holes on the sheets and connect the pages with formed wire. 

Due to its simple yet formal look, you can find this booklet binding method in most official meetings or presentations. The metal wire is also a great option for casual booklets. It comes in varying colors, lengths, and diameters. So, the method works for many binding projects, including for calendar, book, or presentation mockup.   

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1.2. Rings 

The ring's binding method has the same ideas and process as the wire o. However, the metal rings come in separate numbers. It is a great way to connect pages with minimalistic design. Another thing that is unique about the rings booklet is how the material comes in varying colors and is removable. Some have a simple open and close mechanic that allows the user to change the content. 

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1.3. Spiral 

Still has the same ways, spiral binding uses the same method on the process and making. However, the wire coils material is way more flexible compared to the wire-o. So, many booklet designs that use this method tend to be thin and mailable. It also gives advantages in the matter of shapes and sizes. That is why spirals are pretty easy to find. 

However, the spiral spine tends to look less formal. It makes the booklet binding method look very casual and cheap. It is also unable to hold too many pages. So, a thinner content is the best use for spiral binding. While the method looks casual, the durability is way better than wire-o. It is also smooth and clean, which makes it not easy to rip apart. 

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1.4. Comb

The comb bindings are made out of the plastic spine. Again, the process is similar to the spiral or wire-o since the comb will connect the papers through holes. In this case, you can see that the comb will use the teeth to connect all of the paper. It does look less professional since it can appear very cheap and simple. But it is a good option for budget binding methods. 

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2. Thermally Activated Cover 

This technique uses glues or resin to help bind each of the contents. The point is that you will need to use glue to stick all of the booklet content before finalizing the idea with some beautiful cover or tape. One thing that is for sure is the thermal binding method is easier, and you can do it at home. It does not need a punching machine or metal for the spine. 

2.1. Perfect Binding 

The perfect booklet binding method is another common design you can find in the shape of a paperback book. It mostly has a very clean appearance and appears to be part of the book itself. That is why people call it the perfect method. However, the booklet bind design is not easy to pull off without skills. 

One of the reasons comes from the complicated steps and some extra materials you will need. To connect all of the spines of the pages and the cover, you will need to glue them down. But before gluing the cover, you need to rough up the spinal edges using abrasives or blades. So you can increase the method's efficiency.

After that, you can cleanly apply the cover. The method sounds very simple, indeed. However, you will need to create a separate cover and have strong glue to ensure everything sticks. But, aside from the complicated booklet binding process, it looks professional, formal, and clean. So, it is the best option for those that are targeting the market or selling a booklet. 

The method is also very popular for many book designs. Novels, teaching materials, and small books can use this binding option. It also stacks well, and you can add extra information to its spine. You can also make it by yourself, that is why it is comparably more economical for the home industry. But again, it needs at least 50 pages so the book can lay flat and sturdy.  

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2.2. Tape Binding

The booklet binding method that is for sure simple and affordable is using tape. Just as the name says, you will use tape to cover the book spine. It will help adhere more durability as well as avoid getting apart. The idea is pretty similar to the perfect trim. You will need to connect the paper first, then put the tape to close the spine. 

The good point of this method is how easy and affordable the idea is. You can first use a big stapler to join all of the paper around the edge. After that, you use tape that is wide enough to cover the edging. It can look professional or also casual. But for those values, the booklet can lay flat, look nice, and be as good as the perfect ones.  

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2.3. Thermal Binding 

The term thermal trim appears since the glue or substance used to connect the content will need heat to stick. The glue and adhesives used for the spine are the special ones. So, the result can give higher durability as well as a beautiful presentation. Just like the perfect tape booklet binding, you can try the method as part of a DIY project. 

The good point of the booklet binding method goes to the fast, easy, and durable solution. It works for at least 30 pages of documents. You can also finish it in around one or two minutes. The thermal glue can reach the page bond and the interior pages. So, it hardly falls apart. However, it cannot open flat since it will destroy the glue. The good news is you can reapply glue and reheat it to fix it. 

In general, you will find that this method will look like the perfect one. It has a clear bond on the spine in the form of cover. The use of glue on the inside makes it harder and more secure. You will also need a thermal machine to help activate the glue. So, it is worth the price and the quality. 

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3. Stitched Binding 

The booklet binding has the characteristic of strong stitching without the need for hardcovers in it. So, it is pretty easy and also affordable to use. Sometimes, the method can cover huge ranges of paper numbers. If you are working with thin documents, you can use the saddle one. But if you are going for a thick and professional book, the hardcover will suffice. 

3.1. Saddle 

One of the best examples of stitch joining is saddle binding. It simply uses a staple along the fold crease to attach the content. The wire staple will join the collated sheet and are draped over the saddle-like piece. That is why the name of the saddle booklet binding method appears. You can do it using a stapling process that gives a strong enough bind once folded.  

The unique thing about saddle fastening is it does not always mean on the spine. Some people also consider stapling the edge over the other printing as the fastening method (it is also called a side stitch). So, the wire staple will still be apparent. For an informal or casual or simply combining document, this method is the best get-go.  

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3.2. Hardcover 

The case fastening design is what you call an elite, high-end, or expensive booklet. It is one of the best methods you could pick, but the budget and the number of the paper should be thick. In this case, the hard-bound booklet will have sewn sections inside. 

Instead of using staples that join some paper, many hardcover methods will use string to join some sections. After that, some sections will be joined together as one. The sections are glued to the end-papers. And lastly, you will need to glue the cover spine to secure all of the booklet binding sections. In this case, the casebound does not attach to the booklet spine. 

Instead, it just secures the edges. In other words, the content sections are securely fastened with glues. When opened, the booklet binding method will have a very clean opening. The casebound will lay flat, while the spine will arch without being stretched with the case. It is a clean joining that needs a lot of process and expertise.  

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3.3. Loop Stitch 

The loop stitch is an unusual method for booklet joining. The idea is that it uses a special technique that uses a custom-formed staple as its spine. The special staple will appear like a ring that is inserted through the binding section. The metal loop in the spine is mostly aligned to the three-ringed binder, which forms a professional booklet. 

It is one of the best options if you are going to make a booklet that fits in a three-ring binder. You can add more sections and insert the book in the binder. It also has a delicate and small margin, just like the saddle uniting. That is why the booklet binding brings a lot of possibilities and potential in its uses. But, the method is pretty complicated to do.  

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4. Sewn Booklet 

The three general binding methods written above are commonly used by people. They are pretty easy to use and also have huge advantages in the cost of visuals. But, there are also some rare trusses that you might want to know. The sewn bound might be hardly available in the market nowadays, but it can make such a unique touch for your booklet. 

Just as the name says, it uses a sewing procedure to join the printings. You can find it in many traditional minimalistic books in the library. It sometimes looks very down to earth, which adds specific plus points for your booklet. It also uses strings and is sometimes done manually. So, the sewn booklet binding method is not for everyone. 

Other than the long progress, expensive, and unique looks, the durability point of sewn trim is not reliable. Yes, you can make it very strong based on how the sewing is. But, the paper can easily rip out or fall apart due to improper sewing. At some point, one snap in the sew might also end up messing with the whole binding method. 

4.1. Center Sewn 

The first sewn booklet combining method that is pretty straightforward is the center sewn. Just as the name says, the string sewing will appear down the middle. In other words, you will sew the paper crease and imitate how staples do. You sew it just like what people do to sew clothes—going back and forth and making a clean sewing pattern. 

The idea of using sewing techniques might add some flair to your booklet. The unique binding, colorful strings, and different textures make your booklet more exciting. However, the progress takes a lot of time. It also takes time. Thus the sewing technique is more expensive compared to other options. 

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4.2. Side Sewn 

If the center sewn booklet binding seams the middle of the paper crease, the side sewn is on the side of the printing. The method takes some margin like side stitches are. In many cases, the sewing techniques are pretty familiar and not very complicated. However, the booklet binding does demand skill and time. So, it was way more expensive than the normal one. 

However, using sewn attaching can make your booklet look epic with a sort of bohemian style in it. In many cases, the ends of the thread can either be cut close to the edge or left untied. The point is pretty much in the creator's favor. It is also a great booklet binding method for DIY. But if you are going for mass production, check other options. 

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5. Screw Binding 

The name of the screw binding method is also one of the very rare options out there. It does not mean impossible, but the use of screws to join the printing is pretty heavy duty. The durability point is on point; in other words, the booklet will stay sturdy for a long time. It also depends on the screw materials, such as heavy-duty steel, aluminum, or plastic. 

For a formal book, the screw joining method can appear unique and elite. The durability point makes it a great option for your booklet binding. The overall look can appear very clean as well as easy to stack and sell. You can stack and store it easily. The use of a screw for the bond also makes it a unique point to have. 

However, it is pretty expensive compared to other common booklet binding methods. The number of papers is also limited since you cannot use them for thick documents. The screw on the side also cut some margin, which made it unable to open completely flat. All in all, the sturdy visual value makes it one of the favorites for photo albums, blueprint, or swatch books.

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Final Words

Getting the best booklet binding brings out many options for promotional, retention, and appearance points. But, the method also needs durability points. In most cases, your pick on binding option might also be based on the budget. So, you are free to choose one that fits your vision on the booklet and pocket.