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 an 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.
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. The finish you can get from perfect binding if you get all the components right can make your work look and feel incredibly professional.
Pros
Cons
This methods gives a very clean finish and can look very professional if the pages are designed and bound.
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.
Fishnet Marionette Snake Eye
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.
Arrow
If you are feeling quite creative you can also make a variety of different patterns with the thread and holes.
Japan ese St ab Bindin g
Japanese Stab binding, also known in by it’s traditional name Yotsumme Toji, is a very simplistic book binding method.
Pros Japanese stab binding isn’t a lengthy process and it’s an incredibly simple way of binding a book with not equipment needed. Gives your design a handmade feel to it. Least expensive form binding, apart from stapling, however all equipment is provided in Print resource for this binding method anyway.
Cons It’s probably not the most durable method of binding a book, although it is dependant 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 manual labour.
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 on inside the other with a cover placed on the outside. 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.
Pros Can be the least expensive form of binding as stapling counts as a type of saddle stich. Stapling & folding can be in mass quanities 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.
Cons Watch out for Paper Creep - when pages near the centre are narrower after trimming than those near the covers.
Wire & Spiral Bindin g Spiral binding - mainly used for binding Calendars, Cookbooks and Brochures. The main benefit of these binding method 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.
Comb Binding This follows the same principle as wiro binding, but uses comb rather than metal teeth. The pages of publication lie flat due to the spine.
Very quick and easy way of binding, with very little equipment needed.
Spiral Binding A metal spiral is fed, from the top to the bottom (or vice versa), through holes are cut cut in the pages, to bind the publication. This process s more time consumingm but holds the pages more securely.
Wiro Binding Opposed metal teeth ‘bite’ through holes that are cut in the page, and meet to bind the pages
Pros Cons
If you are making spiral bound book you would have to purchase the spiral yourself.
Care needs to be taken with any images that cross the gutter of the document, where the punch hole can interfere with the aesthetic.
Altern ative Bindin g 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.
Screw Post Bind, covers and signature or individual pages are collated and asssembled in a stack then trimmed on all sides. The posts are then drilled and fastened together with posts held on by screws.
Z-bind are a dual binding technique, where two books are essentially bound onto a single cover.
Mountain Fold 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.
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 futher folded into one another. A the reader open a roll folded document the content is gradually revealed panal by panel. In this way, the fold function 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 fold inward 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.
foldin g Throw Out A throw out (Show 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. 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 next comfortably when folded. A throw out is similar to a throw up, which when opened is extended vertically.
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Don’t Forget! Heavily filled or coated stocks are prone to cracking on the fore edge and high calliper 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 stock 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 publications’ pages.
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 can implies import ance and “luxuriousness”.
Conce r_ tina Fo ld A concertina, or also known as an accordion fold, comprises two or more parallel Mountain & Valley folds that go 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. This fold is a very versatile and can be used for many different and in many situations.
Cons Can become qute expensive if you are printing double sided onto one long piece of paper.