Gone are the times when the publishing process was so complex that it was deemed beyond reach, comprehension, or control. Custom printing and binding are evolving in fascinating ways to present a multitude of self-publishing opportunities to anyone seeking to get in touch with their dream audience. The best thing about it is eliminating the barriers that can slow down any aspiring author or even make them question their creative visions and goals.
Today, you don’t have to wait for external validation to turn your work into a finished piece. You only need a professional printing and binding service to create a book, even if just in a single copy. With professionals like Print It ZA, though, you can choose any number of copies and style that feels relevant to expressing your creative self.
While there are no magic overnight strategies for success, self-publishing is the next best thing for anyone looking to get their content in front of potential readers. Custom book binding and printing techniques aren’t just for businesses and high-end brands. They are affordable and combine ease and efficiency, empowering authors on their journeys toward engaging books.
Professional book printing and binding options
Unlike in the era of traditional publishing, only your heart can tell you if you’re a writer and what your book should look like today. That said, digital print companies can consult you on the cover and binding options for printing your book.
Depending on your page count, content type, aesthetic goals, and budget, you can go for any of the following methods.
Case binding (hardcover binding)
This is the most robust method that features sewing the pages together in sections and gluing these to the cover’s spine. Hardbound books or hardbacks are sturdy and long-lasting due to being encased by thick, rigid covers. They have a distinguished look and an exclusive feel that can be enhanced with unique finishing options such as textile, leather, and soft-touch coatings.
The advantages include:
- Longevity and durability
- Increased perceived value
- Unmatched reading experience
However, the printing and binding cost is the highest for hardbound books. Besides, that weighty feel – while creating a lasting impression and an air of quality – adds to shipping costs and can be a disadvantage for readers who love to have a book in their bag at all times.
Perfect binding
When it comes to the most common choice among the styles for a book to be printed and bound, perfect binding ranks #1. So, why does it have such a name and high popularity?
The adhesive-based method involves folding and pressing a stack of pages into the cover to be secured with glue, which is heated and cured under pressure. Though less durable than hardbacks, it yields a sturdy construction that can withstand wear and handling. The books are trimmed after glue curing to create edges that look “perfectly” even on all sides (hence the name).
The PUR binding process is a variation of this technique, with polyurethane reactive glue used for a stronger bond and higher resistance to handling and environmental conditions. Its affordability and versatility make the adhesive binding method literally perfect for any budget and publication project, except for those with low page counts.
You may want to go for this method for:
- Clean-cut appearance of the finished product
- Flat spine where additional identifiers or design elements can be printed
- Suitability for a variety of printing projects
- Fast turnaround and low price
The thinner covers make adhesive-bound (softcover) books lightweight and portable, but they are prone to bending, denting, dog-earing, and scuffing around the edges. Such books are generally less durable than hardbound ones with spines reinforced with stitching.
Another reason perfect-bound books are harder to keep in good shape is because they don’t open fully and lay flat like hardcovers, saddle-stitched booklets, or wire-bound books. When trying to read these in a single-handed way, some readers bend the cover and the pages they’ve read around. Others try to get the book flattened by placing different objects on it, which causes creases and cracks in the spine.
Saddle stitching
This name comes from the equipment for securing the pages along the centerfold with stapling or thread. This binding process is referred to as stitching, even though staples are commonly used today. It is fast and the least expensive of all, working well for low page counts and different sizes:
- Magazines
- Brochures
- Catalogs
- Pocket guides
- Wall calendars
- Comic books
- Coloring books
- Direct mail promotional materials
The page count and paper grade determine how well saddle-stitched products lay flat. They are lightweight but less durable than hardcovers and perfect-bound books, thus less suitable for long-term use.
Wire binding
Getting your publication bound in plastic and wire offers different styles and colors while reducing the total print cost and improving functionality. It allows for 360-degree rotation of the covers and pages, hands-free reading, and staying open and flat while you follow the instructions or take notes.
Wire binding is best for small production runs and projects such as:
- Guidebooks
- Workbooks
- Recipe books
- Planners and journals
- Presentations and personalized event materials
Enhanced foldability and flexibility make the spiral and wire popular for sturdy yet smooth-turning binding. They are ideal for frequent or daily use, durability, and a distinctive aesthetic appeal. That said, the downsides are limited production runs and page count, as well as the added bulk weight.
Print your books with the leading printer company
Considering the advantages and limits of different binding options for printing, making the right choice to ensure professional results isn’t easy and is project-specific. That’s why finding a reliable book binding service is all-important if you want your books to feel unique and personal, meet the specific expectations of your audience, and have the quality to be enjoyed and passed on.
Whatever your budget and creative goals are, let’s look into basic to more elaborate layouts, binding, covering, and finishing options. With industrial-grade printing and binding equipment and a wide range of paper and finish choices, Print It ZA can create the most riveting aesthetic and tactile experiences to delight your readers.
Call us today, PRint It ZA we deliver Book Printing and Binding BEST!
