Book Binding Meaning - A Breakdown
Interested in learning more about book binding meaning?
Book binding is the process of taking a stack of ordered papers and combining them into one book by sealing the papers together along one edge.
Read on for a more in-depth summary about book binding meaning, as well as overviews of some of the most popular styles of book binding, and some tips you should consider if you’re trying to decide between binding a book yourself or working with a pro printing company.
To learn more about other products, trends, and tips surrounding printed material, check out our blog, or contact us directly.
Book Binding Meaning - Summary
The art of book binding has been around since Roman times.
Book Binding Meaning
To “bind” a book means to take a collection of pages that have been placed in order, and then connect those pages all together by sealing the pages along one side. This seal can take the form staples, thread, or an adhesive.
To make a book, the pages are bound with a cover, which can simply be a more rigid piece of stationary, or in the case of hard cover, the cover is a three-piece board.
History
In ancient times, writing was recorded on scrolls. For storage, the scroll paper would either be wrapped around a solid core or folded at increments like an accordion. The paper itself was either made from the papyrus plant, or leather.
In the 2nd or 3rd century, the Roman empire stopped using scrolls and began binding pages together using thread, creating what we now recognize as books. The ability to read and write was most common among the laity, and they in turn where the ones who wrote most of those early books.
Books remained rare until the Chinese learned how to block print in the East, and in the West until the printing press was invented in Germany by Johannes Gutenberg.
The modern hard cover and saddle stitch binding types bear some resemblance to how books in the Enlightenment would have been bound. Perfect binding wouldn’t come into popular use until the early 20th century.
Binding Type #1 - Saddle Stitch
Saddle stitching is the most wallet-friendly option.
Cost
Saddle stitching is usually used for items like notebooks, magazines, or zines (small independent artsy publications). These items typically cost $5 - $35 each.
Description
Saddle stitch binding is a straightforward, affordable printing method.
The way it works is first all the pages of your book are printed, on both sides, then stacked in page order. Then the entire stack is folded in half, bisecting the writing on each page, and stapled along the fold using a specialized stapler.
Staples are most common, but saddle stitching can also be accomplished by weaving a thread through perforations along the fold in the paper.
After the sheets have been folded and attached, they are trimmed along the end opposite the fold to make a flat, clean edge.
A cross section of the saddle stitch process | Image Source
Perfect For:
Informational notebooks
Comics
Smaller magazines
Poetry books
Saddle stitching isn’t as durable as other methods, but it only takes a few staples or some thread to create, making it ideal for low-key creative publications or informative booklets.
Binding Type #2 - Perfect Bound
Softcover novels are perfect bound.
Cost
Perfect binding is often used for novels, fancy periodicals, or professional reports. These items typically cost $7 - $40 each.
Description
You will most likely be familiar with perfect bound already, as it’s the type of binding used to create softcover (or paperback) books and novels.
To create a perfect-bound book, the pages are ordered numerically, then connected along one edge using a thermal adhesive.
Once the adhesive is applied, the pages are wrapped in a cover of sturdier stationary, which is also attached using an adhesive.
The standard look of a perfect bound book.
Perfect For:
If they have the audience for it, many authors like to release both soft cover (perfect bound) and hard cover editions of their books.
Premium magazines and periodicals
Corporate reports
Cookbooks
Perfecting binding has an extra elegance that saddle stitching lacks.
Binding Type #3 - Hardcover
Hard cover books can last a long time.
Cost
Hardcover binding is often used for premium novels, textbooks, reference books, or fancy notebooks. These items typically cost $20 - $45 each, although they can be much more.
Description
The main way that hardcover books are created these days is through a process called case binding.
The way this works is that the pages of the book are grouped together into smaller sub-groups called signatures. These signatures are woven together, saddle-stitch style, before all being stuck to a flexible backing strip with glue.
After all pages are together on the backing strip, a three-section case of cardboard that’s been wrapped in vinyl, leather, or cloth, is placed around the pages, and the backing strip is glued to the centre section of the case.
This process is the most time-intensive and costly, but results in the most durable, classy product.
Perfect For:
If they have the audience for it, many authors like to release both soft cover (perfect bound) and hard cover editions of their books.
Gifts
Encyclopedias
Commemorative gifts, like picture albums
The most deluxe option, hard cover is ideal for high-end gift, or if you want to give your book an extra impressive heft.
DIY vs. Professional
Book binding is time-intensive but rewarding.
If you’re a creative person, you may already know something about the craft of at-home book binding. With care, the right materials, and enough time, you can put together a book all on your own.
However, there are some important differences between do-it-yourself book binding and book binding as done by a professional printing company:
Professional
PROS
A qualified printing company can create a product to your exact specifications.
You won’t need to worry about anything between ordering and receiving your production.
Pro companies can handle large print runs.
CONS
More expensive than doing it yourself.
Not as personal of a process.
You’ll less control over the actual printing process, although this could be seen as a convenience.
DIY
PROS
You can personalize your created book exactly how you want it.
If you do the binding yourself, your only expense is materials.
DIY projects make for great gifts.
CONS
If you haven’t done book binding before, it may be hard to get the result you want
If you make a mistake, you may need to start over, with new materials.
Book binding by hand takes a lot of time.
In conclusion, if you’re up to the challenge, DIY book binding is best seen as a creative venture, perhaps to refine your coordination skills or to craft a special gift. For larger print runs, or for items that need to serve a professional purpose, working with a professional print company is a better choice.
JH French & Co.
Professional book binders and printers for over 100 years.
JH French offers book binding in all the styles in this article, as well as diverse printing techniques, and even services like graphic design consultation or shipping.
To learn more about what book binding meaning, what goes into the process, or information about any other printed products, give us a call today.
Phone
(905) 528-8385
Email
customerservice@jhfrench.com
“JH French are most reliable and dependable. What I find to be most endearing is their concerns for the client. They want to get the job done right and on time.”