Book Printing: Binding Methods

By Author: bookprintors
Total Articles: 3
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Book binding methods vary considerably as do the finishing methods employed for the printed covers.
It is not an accident that a printed book is either paperback or hard cover, opens flat or opens wide.
Here we will discuss three types of binding:
Hardback
Paperback or Softback
Wirobind
Book binding methods vary depending on the requirements of the product.
1.Shelf Life
2.Purpose
3.Economy
Firstly, one has to consider whether the book is to have a long shelf life. E.g. is it a mass market production or a reference manual to be constantly handles.
The rule of thumb is something like this
Mass market > paperback book printing
Reference book > hardback book printing
User manual > Wirobind for ease of reference

Paperback Books
These are produced most economically and today are both digitally and lithographically printed. Digital printing is used for short runs of up to 500 or so whilst traditional methods and cost savings are employed fror larger quantities.
They are usually hot glue bound with all the pages effectively stuck ...
... to the spine during an automatic glueing and binding process.
Paperback book printing is undertaken where the budget available is very tight.

Hardback Books
This is much more a speciality and quality area. They can be produced usually some digital technology but more usually they are printed by traditional lithographic methods with wet ink from plates on a printing machine.
The book printing is completed in “sections” of 16 or 32 and these are collated together before binding. E.g. 10 x 32 page sections plus cover would give a 320 page book plus cover.
There are various skillful binding methods but usually the book is section or threadsewn into the spine. Glue may also be applied to support the rigidness and ensure shelf life.
The finished printed book is a quality item, not a mass market read once and throw away. Hence the fact that people keep hardback books for years after they have been read or browsed.
Hardback book printing and binding is used when there is a good financial budget in place and it is quite a bit more expensive that paperback book printing methods.

Wirobound Books
Taking the example of a factory or group of students who may wish to uise a technical manual over and over again we come up with a new book binding method. This is wirobinding.
It’s purpose is strength and ease of use and reference. Often a book of this nature may be refered to several times a day and in reality can take quite a bashing. The wirobinding is the key to maximizing it’s life on the shelf. This method facilitates the book to be opened wide without damagaing the spine or breaking the binding. They can last for years and be used on a daily basis.
Conclusion
Three different book binding methods that suit a variety of budgets and needs. There are more but in today’s marketplace these are the three that dominate.
They may be further varied with book cover finishes such as laminating, embossing, gold foiling and lamination to create a unique book product.

Our Book printing company serve many book publishers with hardback, softback and paperback printing service by ensuring maximum quality and efficiency.To get more details please visit us online http://www.book-printing.co.uk/