Binding Methods for Booklets

Promotional booklets are small books containing information on a product or company. Booklets usually contain a cover page and a minimum of four interior pages. Booklet printing companies often offer different binding methods and, knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each technique will help your business choose the right booklet printer.

Ring binding involves three rings and a cover, commonly known as a spiral or notebook binder. The advantage is that the pages are removable, which is necessary for booklets that continually need to be updated, such as manuals. Ring binders, though, are not very durable and professional.

Saddle-stitched binding is usually used for promotional booklets because of the durability yet lower cost. The pages are stapled along the fold crease while the pages are still flat creating a strong bind once folded. The only drawback to saddle-stitching is that the pages do not lay completely flat.

Booklets with coil binding can lay flat when opened, which is why many textbooks use this method. Coil binding involves punching a number of tiny holes and then winding a coil wire through the holes. Many times after only a few uses, the paper is torn from catching on the coil ends, or often the coil comes unwound at the top or bottom of the pages.

Both thermal and perfect binding involve attaching the pages to the cover spine using a glue. The major difference is that thermal involves heated glue while perfect roughens the edge to make the pages stick in the glue better. Some booklets use these methods but more often this is used for paperback books, some magazines, and phonebooks. While very durable, both methods are somewhat tedious and, therefore, costly because of the many steps involved.

Do not be fooled by printers that offer cheap bindery that will not last. Choose a printer that can offer the durability yet reasonable prices you need for booklets that look professional and hold up to the wear and tear of use.

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