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108 Wakefield Street
PO Box 11088
Wellington
Phone: NZ 0800 999 339
Wellington: 04 473 3631
Email: info@wakefields.co.nz
Types of Book Binding
We have put together a little guide covering the most common book binding methods.
Perfect Binding
Perfect binding is when the book cover and pages are glued together at the spine. The cover is usually made from thicker card stock and laminated protect the book (often called a softcover). We can also produce perfect bound books with a hardcover.
Pros:
- A cost-effective way of binding when you have a higher page count
- Presentation is of a high quality
- Spine Printing
Cons:
- Books don’t lay flat when open.
- Perfect bound books are less durable than hardcover case bound books
Saddle Stitch Binding
One of the most common and economical methods of binding. Saddle stitching is where pages are folded, creased and stapled together to grip all the pages.
This type of binding is often used for booklets, manuals and magazines that have a smaller page count.
Pros:
- Saddle stitching is very economical, especially for small, short-run booklets.
- Quick turn-around times.
- Lays flat when opened.
Cons:
- Books are less durable.
- Limited to a smaller page count.
Wire Binding
Wire binding (often called wiro or spiral binding) uses wire or plastic coils that thread through punched holes.
Pros:
- Cost effective (especially for one-off and short-run publications).
- Lays flat when opened (pages can be opened a full 360 degrees).
Cons:
- Less professional appearance.
Hardcover / Case Binding
When case binding, the inside pages are sewn together in sections. The sections are then glued to the end-papers which are finally glued to the hardcover’s spine. When opened, case bound books lay flat on the table. We can also make hardcover books using the perfect bound binding method, as explained above.
Pros:
- High-quality professional finish
- Hard wearing and durable.
- A wide variety of materials can be used for the case cover, including leather, cloth, and printed laminated paper.
Cons:
- The cost of case binding can be more expensive than other binding methods.
- As our case bound books are hand-made, turn-around times are longer.