Perfect+Binding

Perfect Binding


 * Perfect Binding **

Perfect binding is a punchless binding method that works by fastening the book block to the cover spine. The sections are rough-cut in the back to make them absorb the hot glue. The other three sides are then face trimmed. This is what allows the magazine or paperback book to be opened.

(ref.http://desktoppub.about.com/od/finishing/g/perfectbind.htm)

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Perfect Binding was originally created in the 1920’s and was used to create books that can “lay-flat”. Perfect binding is done by applying cold glue to sewn or stitched book blocks.

Machines used to bind a book this way are called Perfect Binders, oddly enough. Perfect binders are an essential part of any professional printing industry as it creates a better and stronger bind then the majority of saddle stitches. As saddle stitching has its benefits, Perfect Binding is mainly used in paperback novels and a variety of textbooks. Perfect Binding was originally done by hand using a variety of tools and equipment. To the right is a video showing the machine used and the process of perfect book binding.

**Pros and Cons of Perfect Binding**



> More affordable than Saddle Stitch
 * Pros: **
 * Stronger Bind than Saddle Stitching
 * Allows the book to “lay-flat”
 * Quicker to bind
 * Achieves a professional look for company brochures and catalogues.
 * Allows for larger bind than Saddle Stitch.


 * Cons: **
 * Perfect Binding requires a thick layer of glue for larger binding.
 * As Perfect Binding makes better binds with thinner, lower quality paper, it does not work as well with high quality paper or hardcovers.
 * The bind is likely to give out under extreme temperatures like extreme heat or cold, so books that are in cars that are parked in the sun for too long will be damaged.


 * Facts about Perfect Binding: **

The minimum thickness required for Perfect Binding is 10mm while the maximum thickness is 25mm. Perfect Binding is also known as Perfect Bound, Lay-Flat, Eurobind, a nd Paperback Binding. There are several types of glues used in perfect binding. These include:


 * Polyvinyl Acetate
 * Poly Urethane Reactive
 * Ethyl Vinyl Acetate

Other types of Book Binding are,

**Tape Binding**- a system the wraps and glues a piece of tape around the base of the document. A tape binding machine system will usually be used to complete the binding process and to activate the thermal adhesive on the glue strip.


 * Wire Binding- ** a type of binding that is used for books that will be viewed or read in an office or home type environment. The binding involves the use of a "C" shaped wire spine that is squeezed into a round shape using a wire closing device. Double wire binding allows books to have smooth crossover and is affordable in many colors.


 * HardCover Binding- " ** Case binding" is the most common type of hardcover binding for books. The pages are arranged in signatures and glued together into a "textblock.". The textblock is then attached to the cover or "case" which is made of cardboard covered with paper, cloth, vinyl or leather. This is also known as perfect binding, cloth binding, or edition binding.

**Comb Binding-** uses a 9/16" pitch rectangular hole pattern punched near the bound edge. A curled plastic "comb" is fed through the slits to hold the sheets together. Comb binding allows a book to be disassembled and reassembled by hand without damage.

**Sattle Stitch-** Stapling through the centerfold, also called //saddle-stitching//, joins a set of nested folios into a single magazine issue; most Comic Books are well-known examples of this type. Magazines are considered more ephemeral than books, and less durable means of binding them are usual. In general, the cover papers of magazines will be the same as the inner pages or only slightly heavier (soft cover). Most magazines are stapled or saddle-stitched.

**Coil/Spiral Binding-** the most economical form of mechanical binding when using plastic or metal. It is commonly used for atlases and other publications where it is necessary or desirable to be able to open the publication back on itself without breaking the spine. There are several types but basically it is made by punching holes along the entire length of the spine of the page and winding a wire helix (like a spring) through the holes to provide a fully flexible hinge at the spine.



**Saddle Stitching in Relation to Perfect Binding**

Saddle stitching is mainly used on magazines and newsletters. Saddle stitching can be used with staples or stitches and works with side stitching. Saddle stitching is rare these days as perfect binding has replaced the majority of print techniques. Saddle stitching is done by securing loose printed, folded, and nested pages with stitches or staples down the middle of the fold (the spine). Perfect Binding creates a flat spine which can be printed upon. The spine of a Saddle-Stitched book cannot be printed on, because a Saddle-Stitched book can lay almost flat when opened. It works well for artwork that spans across two pages. Also, Perfect Bound books are more of a permanent solution compared to saddle stitching as the binding is stronger. Saddle stitching is used mainly for temporary solutions like newsletters or flyers. Though all these factors (price, durability, and size) are taken into account when choosing the proper binding option, saddle stitching is used mainly in smaller publications (up to 48 pages), anything more than 48 pages is usually perfect bound.


 * Why Choose Perfect Binding Over Other Methods? **

When a book is perfect-bound, all the pages sit neatly and evenly in the book, making for a clean and professional presentation. A perfect-bound book also takes up less space on a shelf than a book that has been bound by other methods, such as spiral binding. When this book block is glued into a paper cover, the glue that attaches the signatures to the spine can flow into the notches or ground-off areas. The increased surface area for the glue allows for more permanent adhesion. The covers and book blocks are then trimmed flush. Unlike case binding, perfect binding involves only gluing the spine to the cover. Without reinforced endsheets or a binders board cover material, perfect-bound books are less durable than case bound books but are significantly cheaper.

[|Learn To Bind Here!]


 * Sources:**

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bookbinding http://desktoppub.about.com/od/finishing/g/perfectbind.htm http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Bookbinding/Perfect_binding http://72.32.70.94/resources/learn/binding_types.php http://www.squidoo.com/waystobindabook