Bindery Series – Part 4 of 10
The Best of Bindery
1. Standard Binding
2. Back Cover Binding
3. Square Back Binding 4. Catalogue/Publishers Binding
5. Reverse Binding 6. Semi-Exposed Binding
7. Pasted Back Binding
9. Pocket Binding
11. Calendar Binding
34 | May 2019 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE
8. Cased In Binding
10. Easel Binding
Part 4: Price flexibility a huge
benefit in the binding books and
booklets
Bookbinding technology today is a specialized trade
that relies on the basic operations of measuring,
cutting, assembling and gluing. The fact is that a
finished book might require dozens of operations
to complete, depending on the specific style and
materials the customer requests, as well as its end
use. Bookbinding also requires knowledge about
numerous varieties of book structures as well as the
internal and external intricacies of assembly. Also, a
good working knowledge of the materials involved
is a must. Bookbinding is actually an artistic craft
within a highly mechanized industry. Yet the basics
still rule. They are: first, how to hold the pages of
a book together; second, how to cover and protect
the held-together pages; and third (and likely the
most creative), how to label and decorate the
protective cover.
But for many consumers, the beauty of specialty and
customized bookbinding lies in the fact that the final
product can look as plain or as sophisticated as one
desires. And that final basic step of how to label and
decorate the protective cover can spawn some
incredibly imaginative ideas. For example, at the
recently concluded Graphics Canada tradeshow, I
showed an array of samples to visitors of all ages
at my booth. I can guarantee you that they were
more than impressed – not just with the high quality,
but with the pricing options as they asked about
adding more and more binding embellishments to
the printed pieces.
Bottom line: the final book or booklet may look
expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are 11
basic binding techniques, beginning with the least
expensive (1) and ending with options that are slightly
more costly. I say “costly” with reservations, because
the actual prices will likely be well within your budget.
Norm Beange, owner of Toronto-based
Specialties Graphic Finishers, has over
40 years of experience and expertise as
a leader in binding and finishing
technology. He can be reached at
[email protected]
graphicartsmag.com