Designing Series
Design for Print
2014
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Binding
Bindin g
Noun 1. A strong covering holding the pages of a book together.
Binding, from your point of view is a collective term used for the variety of processes that are used to hold the pages of a book, magazine, publication or other format together.
There is huge range of binding methods available to you as a designer and it could make a huge difference to you depending which method you choose. If used creatively, these methods can completely enhance your design. This
Infopack will help you to consider the appropriate binding solution for showcasing samples of the different binding methods you can use and how you can develop this into something quite unique.
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The finish you can get from perfect binding, if you get all the components right, can make your work look and feel incredibly professional.
Perfect Binding
Perfec t Bindin g Perfect Binding, Unsewn, or cut-back binding is a method that is commonly used for magazines, paper back books and other formats which have a flat spine.
This methods gives a very clean finish and can look very professional if the pages are designed and bound well.
Body copy can tend to disappear into the gutter if your document is organised pages onto spreads.
Very simple process to learn and apply to your own design and it only takes an hour or two to complete at most.
You can do perfect binding in the print resources at LCA but they usually supply standard PVA glue which can work incredibly well for a short run publication but wont be incredibly durable.
Perfect Binding
Cons
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Pros
Fishnet
Japanese Stab Binding
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To create a basic stab bound book, four holes, which is what Yotsumme Toji translates as, are made through all the pages of the side of one book. These holes are then sewn together with thread and a needle in the basic pattern.
Marionette
If you are feeling quite creative you can also make a variety of different patterns with the thread and holes.
Stab_ Bindin g
Japanese Stab binding, also known by it’s traditional name Yotsumme Toji, is a very simplistic book binding method.
Japanese stab binding isn’t a lengthy process and it’s an incredibly simple way of binding a book, using limited material and equipment. Gives your design a handmade feel to it.
Cons It’s probably not the most durable method of binding a book, although that is dependent on the type of thread you use. It isn’t an ideal method of production for a long run publication design as it would require a lot of manual labour.
Snake Eye
Japanese Stab Binding
Least expensive form of binding, apart from stapling, however all equipment is provided in the print resource for this binding method anyway.
Arrow
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Pros
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This type of stitching is probably the simplest way to bind a book and you can even staple the pages together. It is typically used to bind things such as notebooks, brochures, pamphlets and other small books.
Saddle Stitching
Saddle _ Stitch Saddle Stiching get it’s name from the inverted V saddle on to which the section are placed. Sections are opened out and placed inside the other with a cover placed on the outside.
Stapling & folding can be in mass quantities on machines, however there isn’t any of these at LCA. InDesign allows you to print the pages of your document set up for this process (Print Booklet..) Quick, easy and inexpensive form binding which can be done in the print resource with very little equipment.
Watch out for Paper Creep - when pages near the center are narrower after trimming than those near the covers.
Saddle Stitching
Can be the least expensive form of binding as stapling counts as a type of saddle stitch.
Cons
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Pros
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Spiral Binding
Spiral _ Bindin g Spiral binding - mainly used for binding calendars, cookbooks and brochures. The main benefit of these binding methods is that it allows the pages of the publication to lie flat. The sheets are punched with a line of rounded or slotted holes near the spine. Wire is then coiled through the holes and crimped.
Care needs to be taken with any images that cross the gutter of the document, where the punch hole can interfere with the aesthetic.
Spiral Binding
Comb Binding
Spiral Binding
Very quick and easy way of binding, with very little equipment needed.
If you are making spiral bound book you would have to purchase the spiral yourself.
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The pages of publication lie flat due to the spine.
Cons
Wiro Binding
Pros
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Alternative Binding
Altern _ atives Thermal Tape binding uses heat to transfer tape onto and around the spine of the book which gives a very professional finish. Once the tape is cool, the strip becomes so firm so lettering can be applied to the spine.
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Z-bind are a dual binding technique, where two books are essentially bound onto a single cover.
Alternative Binding
Screw Post Bind, covers and signature or individual pages are collated and assembled in a stack then trimmed on all sides. The posts are then drilled and fastened together with posts held on by screws.
Mountain Fold
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Folding
Valley Fold
foldin g_
Different folding methods will produce different creative effects and offer different functionality and means of organisation. The Valley & Mountain Folds (shown above) are both the simplest forms of folding and they provide the basis of a wide variety of fold combinations.
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Folding
Don’t forget! For a large document or a rigid substrate the panel may need to be of successively larger widths so that they can nest comfortably.
Roll Fold A roll fold is composed of a series of parallel valley folds, which are further folded into one another. As the reader open a roll folded document the content is gradually revealed panel by panel. In this way, the fold function is like a slow reveal.
Gatefold A gatefold is a sheet with four panels that is placed in the publications so that the left and right panel folds inwards with parallel folds and meet at the spine without overlapping. Gatefolds are often used in magazine to provide extra space and can be particularly useful for displaying panoramic images.
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To open a throw out, the extra panel is extended horizontally. The sheet will have a slightly smaller dimension than the overall publication so that it can nest comfortably when folded. A throw out is similar to a throw up, which when opened is extended vertically.
Folding
foldin g_ Throw Out A throw out (Shown above) is a folded sheet of paper that is bound into a publication to provide extra space to showcase a particular image or visual element.
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Folding
publications’ pages. Don’t Forget! Heavily filled or coated stocks are prone to cracking on the fore edge and high caliper stock may crack when folded; this makes them suitable for french folding.
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French Fold A french fold is a sheet of paper that is printed on one side and folded vertically and then a horizontally to form a four page uncut section. A french fold can also be bound into a printed item to give more of a substantial feel to the
Bellyband is a narrow strip of paper usually containing advertising, wrapped around the cover of a book, outside the dust jacket. When used as part of a well designed promotional kit or publication, bellybands can add a distinctive upscale element that implies importance and “luxuriousness”.
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Concertina Fold
Conce r_ tina A concertina, or also known as an accordion fold, comprises of two or more parallel Mountain & Valley folds in opposite directions and open out. This folding method enables many pages to be collapsed into a smaller size publication.
Pros You can either print one long page and fold it evenly into a concertina or print individual pages and print them back to back.
Cons Can become quite expensive if you are printing double sided onto one long piece of paper.
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Concertina Fold
This fold is a very versatile and can be used for many different situations.