How To Choose The Best Binding For Yearbook Printing

Working for design and printing is not a job with a lot of easy responsibilities. One needs to pay attention to how the design work in the making process and also at the printed version. Thus, a project working around the yearbook or in any kind of graphic printing is bound to have more than just design planning. You will also have to plan the best binding option. 

Why is binding for the yearbook is a vital part of your initial planning? The answers go to the fact that almanacs tend to have a thick, dense, and also colored print. The best binding for the yearbook should fit with the overall design and the initial planning. It is also worth noting that book joining options are pretty vast. Here are yearbook printing and binding options for you. 

Softcover 

In many printing and binding options, you will always find an option of softcover or paperback. This type is very popular due to its simpler and affordable work budget. It also has more than 200 years of history. While it does have a long history, it can also turn into a perfect modern printing and binding. 

Most of the time, yearbook printing uses hardcover to ramp up its durability. It also looks more professional. However, the softcover is also the best binding you can find for a graduation book. It is also pretty justifiable why people start to pay more attention to using softcover. The traditional binding is budget-friendly, easier to use, and available for thinner yearbooks. 

If you are working with a book with less than 150 pages, highly possible the best binding option is softcover. But again, the best binding for the yearbook also depends on the density and thickness of the printing paper. Softcover is also the best option for a limited-budget project. It is easier and faster to do, which can provide a faster turnaround time or money. 

Another good point why the softcover is loved is its versatility. There are ranges of options you can choose to fit the image, audience, printing, and design. The younger audience tends to look for a more modern yearbook, which does not fit with the traditional mold. The good news is, softcover can cover the unique yearbook uniting preferences. 

The Best Softcover Binding Options 

1. EVA Perfect 

One of the options that you can use is EVA perfect binding. Also known as softcover and paperback, the binding can handle around 50-60 pages. Of course, you need to consider the thickness since this option works best with strong adhesive. Thus, a thinner yearbook or printing would not go well. 

What makes it the best binding is its ability to make a professional touch with the perfect cut. It refers to the term and characteristic, which cut all of the pages and the cover in the same size. With that design and print technique, all of the elements will line up perfectly for the connecting process. It works better with thicker yearbook printing pages or paper. 

The perfect cut, size, and method make it one of the best binding for a yearbook with either thick or thin pages. It is also a great option for those who want to avoid creep. It refers to the chance of the page margin being separated from its nesting process. Another good point from this binding is the versatility. 

Not only the number of pages, but perfect softcover can work with any kind of high-quality paper. If you are using a glossy or a thicker matte paper for the yearbook printing, it still looks professionally made. The spine side can also use for printing the year, school, and other details. The softcover option creates a durable yearbook and can be laid flat easily. 

Source: nexusdp.co.uk | http://www.nexusdp.co.uk/services/printing/guide-to-print-finishes-binding-options/

2. Saddle Stitch 

How if your yearbook printing is way thinner than others? If you have to face a low page count, the best binding goes to the saddle stitch. Saddle stitch can be the binding and printing option for a DIY project or low-budget yearbook. It is more economical since you can use a stapler for the binding. Unfortunately, it lacks in durability and professionality. 

The best binding for the yearbook is pretty simple and low cost. Yearbook printing was done using large sheets of paper. After that, they are folded in half and nested inside of each other. In the modern printing model, the method is also called a booklet. After the printing process is done, the binding is used strapless to bind them together through the fold line. 

The method will not use any adhesive, which is why it is considerably low budget than others. However, it also has a limited number of sheets. Mostly the printing is around 4-64 PDF pages. The process and the central strapless allow the yearbook to be laid flat. However, it goes back to the number of pages. 

A thicker or higher page yearbook printing won't lay perfectly flat. It also needs a stronger and bigger stapler to strap each paper. The good news is that the Saddle stitch is also binding with a wide variety of paper sizes and types. You can also use UV-coated sheets that have a shiny finish. With the printing options, you can create a cost-effective and high-class annual book.

Source: marlanegraphics.com | https://marlanegraphics.com/product/booklets-saddle-stitched/

3. Thermal 

The thermal fastening method is another softcover option that works with adhesive and heat. The method is called thermal due to its process that uses heat to apply the glue. The option is pretty easy, durable, and also efficient to bind up a quick thick yearbook. The paper and size are also versatile, which makes it the best binding option for a professional document. 

In the yearbook itself, the book will need a fairly quick process. The book cover and the spine need to be treated with glue. After that, the book content is inserted and arranged inside it. The arrangement will then go to the thermal binding machine. It heats the glue, is secure, and attaches every paper. 

The final result of the coupling is the epitome of a professional and polished book. It can look as good and as clean as the hardcover yearbook printing binding. It does not need a paper punch. However, due to the rigid and strong adhesive, the book fixing has limited flexibility. The thermal machines are pretty expensive, and they can loosen up faster in time.  

Source: deharts.com | https://www.deharts.com/web/customer_center/binding_options

4. Spiral Or Coil 

The spiral or coil is one of the most versatile options for yearbook binding. It works for a smaller page count or thicker book. If you are looking for the more modern, affordable, and best binding for the yearbook, check out the spiral or coil option. But again, it requires a binding machine that is easily found and usable at home. 

As one of the best binding options, the unique plus point goes to its versatility and flexibility. The spiral or coil spine allows the user to open the yearbook printing in several ways. It can be laid flat or folded in full 360-degree. It gives more freedom than the traditional method or even the hardcover one. However, again the durability can be severe quite a lot. 

The point of this binding method is punching holes in the paper and the cover. The cover can be in the thicker cardboard type that resembles a hardcover or UV coating sheet. From the holes, you will bind every page using helical coils, which have more durability than the plastic ones. It also has smaller and smoother wire, which prevents paper tear. 

It also considerably lowers the cost of production. It has flexible handling, has versatile color and size, and is more durable than other styles. It also most likely fit with a more modern design. But, again, it lacks professional touch. It more or less looks more DIY or self-publisher, which you need to think twice when representing a school.  

Source: finitura.com | https://www.finitura.com/P/390/MetalSpiralCoil

5. Comb 

The comb binding goes 11-12 with the spiral or coil is comb. It has the same method and also pros or cons. However, the main difference between the two bindings is the spine itself. Instead of being made using wire, it uses circular plastic rings with ranges of numbers. The number of rings and the hole also depend on the paper printing size. 

Your yearbook printing using comb also comes with a lot of possibilities. You can use any kind of paper, quality, or many pages. It also allows a more comfortable folding position, which makes a better experience in seeing the yearbook. Another reason why comb turns into one of the best bindings for the yearbook is the varsity. 

The spine circle size can hold bigger capacity pages that are worth the hardcovers. It also works best for a small number of pages. In a more specific number, comb binding can hold up around 16 to a total of 425 pages at once. You also have the chance to customize the spines, such as the size, color, or paper hole to match the yearbook printing design.   

But again, the cons of the comb are not far different from the coil possibility. Its lack of professional and polished look. It is because your yearbook printing pages are only secured with a plastic spine. The paper can also tear easily due to the spine and the punch friction; that is why it has lower durability. 

Source: evansprinting.com | https://evansprinting.com/product/209

Hardcover

When talking about the best binding for the yearbook, most people will choose the hardcover option. It goes to the fact that the method allows a more professional, formal, and also durable finish. Another reason that makes many yearbook printing has hardcover comes from the traditional looks, built to last, and premium design. 

From the printing point of view, hardcover has a lot of advantages. The yearbook printing can last longer and is secured inside a hardcover. It also prevents paper lose due to the dried glue or tear. In appearance, the design offers a more traditional yet customizable option. You can fit with many printing designs and ideas. 

Just as the term name, you can expect that the yearbook printing will have a harder cover page. The printing method is different from the softcover that can use any paper material. In hardcover, the printer uses a single-ply binder’s board made of solid material in various thicknesses. It is considered the best binding since it has a cover ranging from 2.5mm to 3.5mm thick. 

The exterior material itself can include leather, cloth, or vinyl. What makes it more desirable is the ability to cover up a different weight from the standard 90 pt. to 160 pt. It makes the best binding for the yearbook considered as the most durable option. Aside from the cover, the method also pays attention to the graduation book pages. 

The contents are sewn sections by section. After that, the method uses adhesive to attach every endpaper to the cover. Most of the time, the fastening method with high-quality hardcover printing will use slipcase to avoid breaking. There are also joining options that use laminating option for the cover and use PUR glue for the best result.  

The strongest point of the hardcover goes to its durability, professional, and premium-looking joining. The cover printing and the spine space also allow more creativity. In other words, you can make a long-lasting graduation book with the best binding. But, the method is also known for its high cost, weight, technique, and time for the making process. 

The Best Hardcover Binding Options  

1. Image Wrap 

To find the best binding option with hardcover, you got some options to choose from. The image wrap is the basic of the hardcover yearbook or book printing and trussing design. The method will print the cover image directly on the exterior. It goes on the front, spine, and back cover. It can be one of the best bindings for the yearbook since it provides a lot of information. 

The cover printing can use ranges of sheets, such as matt, gloss, or silk. In overall appearance, it goes well with the hardcover board and will give good durability for a longer time. It is also a very popular hardcover binding printing option since it allows a lot of customs, such as embossing, debossing, head and tail bands, foiling, etc.

Source: lulu.com | https://www.lulu.com/products

2. Dust Jacket 

For a more modern hardcover printing design, the best binding option you take a look at is the dust jacket. It is a type of cover that is specifically made to warp the book. It can also come as the softcover stitching accompaniment. However, the yearbook printing with hardcover will gain more protection and unique touch. 

The jacket itself is mostly laminated and wrapped around the hardcover, which makes the extra cover. What makes it unique is the printing options such as foiling, embossing, etc. The extra layer mostly used toad some extra information, such as the book author, years, school, or other. If it starts to get deteriorating, you can pull it off and throw it away. 

Source: btsb.com | https://www.btsb.com/2014/07/29/djs-in-the-library-dust-jackets-that-is-not-the-music-makers/

3. Cloth Bound 

Another option of hardcover binding is clothbound. To make a more expensive and high-end yearbook printing, you can see the clothbound option. As one of the best binding options, the appearance is close to the regular hardcover. However, it uses a Wibalin cover or a very durable and robust covering material. 

It has a cloth-like material with long fiber pulp. It is also dyed, lightfast color, has scuff-resistance, and has extra strength. Considering how the cover design and printing can be, it is worth it to be one of the best bindings for the yearbook. However, the cover material, the method, and the printing type will come with a higher price than others.  

Source: Shenzhen Cygedin Printing & Packaging Co., Ltd. | https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Bookbinding-Cloth-Cover-Book-Printing-Service_60502146504.html

Which Cover Suit Your Yearbook? 

So, what is the best binding that fits with your yearbook printing? The answer depends on your design and preferences. There are more options you can find out there. But the said examples are the most common and best options to take. But before you are interested in choosing the fastening options, you need to consider some points. 

The first consideration is the book printing and binding purpose. Do you want the yearbook to be left on the shelves and turn into a decoration or one that gives daily entertainment? For a display and fancy design, goes for a hardcover. But for a more modern and enlighten yearbook printing that means for commute use the lighter softcover. 

It is also best to consider the budget, quality, and durability points. The best binding for a yearbook with restricted money but has good quality will be the softcover one. But if you go for better durability and can cover more budget, it is best to choose the hardcover. You can also pick hardcover for a long-life classic yearbook printing collection.   

Final Words

The reason why you need the best yearbook printing goes to the goal of an everlasting book. The yearbook might content memories from the student and school years. Not only the design, layout, paper, and finish, but you also need to pay attention to the option. You can use hardcover or softcovers, which are customizable based on the book.