Perfect bound vs. saddle stitched...
When asked about the decision to perfect bind or stitch a catalog or publication, Dick Gorelick said that most salespeople will respond in terms of cost or number of pages.
Editor’s Note: Dick Gorelick was a nationally known writer and speaker with expertise in sales, marketing and management. We are most thankful for the thoughts he shared with us on binding before his passing.
The outer limits of saddle stitching with staples depends on the number of pages and the weight of the paper stock.
Thick saddle bound books can become very cumbersome, bulky and awkward to handle.
However, there is another variable that should also be considered: the permanence of the printed piece.
Old copies of National Geographic, a perfect bound publication; are frequently found in garage sales, basements, and libraries.
Smithsonian, a similar publication, is stitched; readers discard the magazine with impunity after reading it.
The binding can have great importance in the case of merchandise catalogs. Stitched catalogs tend to be discarded after an order is placed.
On the other hand, perfect bound catalogs denote permanence in our culture and, because they are retained, frequently generate additional orders.
This factor should be considered, as well as cost, in selection of a binding style, Dick said.
Dick’s opinions were the result of an actual study he did for a client firm.
Copresco’s perfect binding, which includes hinge-scoring and side gluing, is a versatile and attractive binding style for digital press runs of several hundred paperback books, manuals, directories, catalogs and other publications.
Other advantages include the wraparound covers that provide longevity benefits, printable spines and overall visual appeal.
Though not required, copy on the spine makes your book stand out on a bookshelf for quick identification and easy retrieval.
Saddle bound publications simply disappear when put on the shelf.
A minimum of 1/8” thickness is normally required for copy to be printed on the spine. Anything less would seriously limit the type size that could be used and consequently reduce readability.
Perfect binding is normally restricted to books of at least 1/8” minimum thickness (60 pages on a 50# offset or 50 pages on 60# stock.)
Copresco is one of only a few book printers that can bind thinner volumes.
Our production department will give you more details.
A 2” maximum thickness (1,000 pages on a 50# offset or about 850 pages on a 60# sheet) is still the general rule of thumb.
Once a publication exceeds 1,000 pages, Copresco recommends that you use multiple volumes.
While thicker volumes are possible, they have an intimidating effect on the reader. In addition, bulky technical and reference books become unmanageable and are difficult to use.
Copresco’s ability to work in a 2-page format gives you greater control over the conventional 4-page, 8-page and even 16-page signatures required with saddle binding.
Say you have a 66-page manual to print. With saddle binding, you would have to settle for 64 pages on the low side or from 68, 72 or 80 pages on the high side, depending on the way your signatures are set up.
With Copresco’s digital printing, you gain optimum flexibility. You can use any number of pages you need, in any combination you want, anywhere you like in the perfect bound book.
This includes the use of full-color pages, fold-in pages with photos and graphics as well as printed 8 1/2” x 11” pages that you provide.
Cover options range from an index stock printed in black to full-bleed, full-color process projects.
Wraparound covers provide an air of importance, substance and class to your project, while the addition of Copresco’s full-color printing will command your reader’s attention.
Perfect bound covers may also be laminated to add deeper and brighter colors and durability features to your finished product.
So, think about the many benefits you will derive from perfect binding.
Then, call the company that offers you the fast on-demand digital printing, quality, economy and service that you deserve.
Call Copresco.
