Edition Binding/Book Production Guidelines Part 1: Binding Options
As I mentioned in my last post, I would get into some guidelines for Edition Binding and Book Production tips to help budget accordingly when planning a Hard Cover Book project. This week I will cover part 1: Binding Options.
First off– is keep in mind my assumptions here are for SHORT RUN LENGTH Hard Cover Books that are typically digitally printed! If you are intending on producing a book in larger quantities on offset printing equipment, different assumptions may apply.
Here is the typical question I am normally asked:
What type of binding is most cost effective?
Cost effectiveness is surely one thing to consider, especially if you are selling your book. When choosing the most cost effective hard cover binding though, you also want to keep in mind that you want the binding to properly serve the expected usage. Pay close attention to how other books in the market you may be competing against are constructed. From a binder’s perspective, a lot of this decision here depends on the thickness of the book, and the paper style, along with the overall dimensions of the page size.
EVA (traditional hot-melt adhesive glue) Case Binding
This would represent generally the lowest cost method for a book which is between 1/4″ and 2.0″ thickness on uncoated paper stocks and between size ranges of 4 x 5″ up to 11.5″ x 11.5″ EVA hot melt adhesive is what is normally referred to as “perfect binding”. We can use this method for hard cover binding and even though it is perhaps the lowest cost option, the percentage of books we do this method for is very small.
Reinforced Side Sewn Binding
Reinforced Side Sewn binding is produced by sewing through the SIDE of of a stack of single sheets or gathered signatures. This is ideal for thin hard cover books such as Children’s Books, Yearbooks and Photobooks. Maximum thickness for this method of binding is around 3/8″. Standard End sheet choices are White or Natural. Printed end sheets can be produced at additional cost.
![side-sew-openability-300x133[1]](http://editionbinding.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/side-sew-openability-300x1331.jpg)
![side-sewn-side-view-closeup-266x300[1]](http://editionbinding.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/side-sewn-side-view-closeup-266x3001.jpg)
Side Sewn Binding is an approved Library Binding method. As you can see in the picture at right, books are securely bound, but will not lay flat.
![side-sewn-book-block-232x300[1]](http://editionbinding.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/side-sewn-book-block-232x3001.jpg)
PUR Adhesive Case Binding
PUR tends to run about the same price range per book as a side sewn book, but will handle a thicker book block and a wide array of paper styles. Our PUR binding capability works from thickness of 4 mm up to 2.5″ thickness on sizes from 4 x 5″ to 12 x 12″
![cropped-hard-cover-demo[1]](http://editionbinding.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/cropped-hard-cover-demo1-300x134.jpg)
PUR stands for Poly-Urethane-Reactive. It is the strongest bookbinding adhesive on the market. PUR Adhesive has only been in bookbinding since about 1989, and the first test in North America was run with a homemade application system. Since its introduction, PUR use has increased dramatically. In 1995, there were reportedly 28 PUR users; by the end of 2002, this number had increased to more than 50 in North America. PUR is unique in that it will bond to lacquer and UV-cured coatings, films such as Mylar, as well as paper.PUR Binding, also known as POLY URETHANE REACTIVE differs from traditional Hot Melt Adhesive style of binding , which is typically based on EVA glue or (ethyl vinyl acetate). P.U.R. Binding exhibits considerably stronger adhesion with high gloss coated or synthetic papers. Any type of book requiring more rugged usage such as a student work book, yearbook, textbook, music book, etc. is a great candidate for PUR Binding.
Double Fan Adhesive Binding
This method is inherently more expensive per unit that EVA, Side Sewn or PUR methods due to it takes 3 operators on the machine vs only 1 or two for the other methods.
This method works best on uncoated paper stocks and is not advised for gloss or matt coated text or cover stocks. Using Double Fan Adhesive Binding (DFAB), we can bind books from 1/4″ thickness up to 2.88″ thickness. The pages of the book will lay open nicely on each and every spread of the book. This is often referred to as a “Smyth alternative” The advantage of a Double Fan Adhesive book is also the ability to produce a rounded spine, which is not possible with EVA, Side Sewn or PUR binding methods.
![book-pics-046-for-the-web-300x1551[1]](http://editionbinding.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/book-pics-046-for-the-web-300x15511.jpg)
Unlike Perfect binding in which the book block is clamped against the binding edge and the spine passed over a glue roller that applies either an EVA or PUR hot melt, in the Double-Fan Adhesive Binding process, a specially formulated cold emulsion Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) adhesive is applied between the pages while fan-gluing each individual sheet – first one side, then the other – to provide extra strength and greater durability. Also, unlike perfect bound books,stresses are distributed over a wider surface area penetrated by adhesive. There are no stresses produced when the adhesive joint is flexed because the adhesive is no more rigid than the adherand. Failure of most paper will usually occur before failure of bond.
Double fan method uses PVA (Polyvinyl Acetate) – a flexible, white glue, used for double fan adhesive binding and for case making. PVA is approved by the Library Binding Institute (LBI) as a certified Library Binding adhesive. Works best with uncoated papers or publication grade lighter weight coated magazine stock.
This method of binding is very widely used for genealogy/family history style books and higher quality biographies and editions with a rounded spine.
Smyth Sewn
Smyth Sewn is considered the upper tier of quality and craftsmanship, yet is not as widely used in short run length digital printing due to the production technicalities I describe below. Smyth sewn books take longer to produce and from a cost per unit standpoint will be one of the more expensive options, and often cost prohibitive if done in smaller quantity print runs.
![copy-side-view-sand-hills-4-10-300x18411[1]](http://editionbinding.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/copy-side-view-sand-hills-4-10-300x184111.jpg)
With Smyth sewn binding, the thread is driven “through the fold” of a 16 page signature. As you can see in the photo above, Smyth sewn books lay flat very nicely and are widely used for coffee table style art and children’s books. When a press run is in higher (offset) quantity, publishers and book manufacturers look to this method as their first choice. An offset press with a 40″ width can deliver 8.5 x 11″ size 16 page signatures. When using digital printing, Smyth Sewing will usually not be the first choice because digital presses are better for delivering single sheet collated book blocks rather than signatures. Some extra collation work is required to “nest” 4 page signatures into 16 page signatures required for Smyth sewing. There are different types of Smyth sewn machines – from manual, to semi- automatic and fully automated. Our Smyth Sewn machine is a semi-automatic style, which is good for shorter run lengths
Oversewing
Oversewing represents a final possible choice and is one of the most labor intensive methods, taking a very long time to produce a book vs some of our other methods above. Here is a link showing some further information on our oversewing of books and technical details: CLICK HERE.
Although this is one of the more oldest fashioned methods of book binding we produce, Oversewing is still requested amongst publishers of genealogies, family histories, scientific lab books and some comic book collectors we do special binding for. It is a very durable binding, using thread in a similar fashion to side sewing but can accommodate books which are thicker than .375″ and on up to about 2.5″ thickness. This method of binding also does allow us to produce a rounded spine edge if requested.
That’s it for this week’s post. Hope you have found this information to be helpful. If you have read through all the way to this point, you are both a saint and a hero! 
In my next post here, I will discuss Cover Material Options and the scale of reasonable options from lowest cost up to most expensive choices. As always, your questions and comments are welcome.
(C) Copyright 2013 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved
Edition Binding/Book Production Guidelines Part 1: Binding Options
Houchen Bindery Ltd. Featured in The News!
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Last month, Houchen Bindery Ltd. was visited by Emily Nohr and staff from the Omaha World Herald. She runs a regular in depth article called Made in the Midlands, and had a very nice feature on our company.
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Self Publishing Workshop in Dallas March 6th, 2013
I am very honored to have been invited to be part of a panel on self publishing in Dallas on March 6th. This workshop is being hosted by Mary Beth Smith, VP of Sales & Marketing at Alphagraphics North Dallas/Park Cities. We have worked together on some projects over the last several months and I have also been a staunch supporter of her popular LinkedIN Group: Girls Who Print. My role will be to provide answers and support on bookbinding related questions from the attendees. Also on the panel will be Sherry Perry, Natalie Sons and Phil Davis all from Alphagraphics along with Jim David of Leapfrawg Media a social media management firm in Dallas.
I asked Mary Beth to provide a little bit about the work shop. Her comments are here:
Mary Beth Smith
For over 20 years, our AlphaGraphics center in Dallas has been working with customers who want to self-publish books. The books our customers write and publish cover a wide range of genre and topics. We’ve published everything from small saddle stitch booklets to leather-bound textbooks. Over the last 5 years, we’ve seen such a surge in interest that we broadened our services to include design, layout, marketing, e-books, specialty binding, promotions, websites, online ordering and distribution.
We decided to focus on this as a specialty when we began hearing from customers who had suffered painful experiences attempting to self-publish with online companies. We were pretty surprised to see how much money people were charged, yet still had no books to sell. We knew we had a better approach, since our pricing structure is based on actually helping authors have books they can sell at a profit. While we know their books are important to them, we consciously choose to focus on the practical side of treating their writing aspirations as a business. We want them to be successful, and we know it won’t happen without some businesslike approaches.
We find that people appreciate our localized approach. They’re able to come in and talk with us. Being able to see hard copy proofs, evaluate the stock, and make revisions really matters when it’s YOUR book that we’re going to print. We’ve developed strong relationships with supporting resources in order to support whatever goals the author has for the book. It seems to be paying off, because we get referrals from every book we complete, and they workshop sold out in two days. I was able to upgrade our space, and opened up 20 more seats, but they’re going to go fast! I’ll be updating readers on the speakers and topics on a blog I’ve set up: DallasPublishing.blogspot.com
By the way…there are still a few seats left for our
FREE self-publishing workshop on March 6.
Click HERE to go to the online registration form.
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The Compelling, Tangible Feel of Luxury Print
“The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory.”
-Aldo Gucci
Long ago, most forms of book printing became commodotized.
I went through what I call the McDonaldization of the industry in the 90′s and I don’t care for it now any more than I did then. Quality became a non issue, (everyone had good quality), price became a bartering chip and delivery was whatever the buyer demanded. Profit margins diminished to nothing and that is not good for the book printing business. Finding profitable niches in the book printing business today is more critical than ever before. If a printer is merely giving away press time to keep from laying off employees and keeping the lights on, and if no one is making enough profit to re-invest and allow for upgrades, it becomes a downward spiral. With gross profit margins in 1 color book printing evaporating to a state of non-existence, some companies are now finding potential promise in producing short-run length, digitally printed 4 color interior books, and other more compelling offerings.
I recently met with a very sharp executive of a major printing conglomerate who shared with me his take on how to find areas of industry where value added pricing could be achieved. “Look for areas with a high amount of fear surrounding the guarantee of delivery for a certain product”, he explained. The higher the Fear (Risk), the more potential value can be added to the price of the product or service. He was most certainly right. His company has developed some unique strategies of this type in some specialized markets, and is doing so in the publishing field now too. He was quite bullish on the future of print.
If you stop to think about it, there are many niches for this type of printing service in industries such as healthcare, financial industries, corporate annual reports, newspaper ad inserts, election ballets, and the list goes on.
A linen finish Book Cloth adds a distinctive feel as you hold this book in your hands
How about for books and self publishing?
Some time sensitive and emotion driven examples could include: short run length funeral books, wedding books, graduation books, a book coinciding with the retirement of a key company executive, just to name a few. How about photobooks made on site at events like X Games competitions, a vacation cruise or rock concerts? Wouldn’t you pay a little something extra to capture that memory at that moment? There is your chance for adding the extra value that no one will complain about!
Black Silk Moire end sheets
But to avoid the commoditization of the appearance of the book, you also need to work with a qualified book binder. Welcome to my world! Want to add some value to the sale of your book binding project? Throw a little luxury into your look with a fine book cloth or leather. Exotic cover options coupled with special end papers, head and tail bands, debossing and mounted photos, foil stamping, ribbon markers and elastic bands and now we’re talking! Those are the types of techniques that make a product memorable, compelling and valued. A friend of mine in the UK calls it “the compelling, tangible feel of luxury print”. I love that phrase.
full color printed end sheets for a fine art coffee table edition
Let’s take the time to do something memorable!
Let’s face it, there is a huge difference between a photobook you’ll get from Walgreens, produced in one hour vs. a well crafted cloth or leather bound book given the special attention it deserves through some of the companies we produce books for. There is high value in the latter and nothing but a short lifespan followed by quick death in a trash can for the former. Sure, those 1 hour photobooks may be time sensitive to a point, but having them done more nicely has some value doesn’t it?
Debossed cover with tip on photo over Luminaire Cloth
Handmade paper used to make the end sheets of this fine edition book of poetry
So when people tell you (as a printer), your price is too high. I’d beg the question of their choice for shoes, their clothes, what they drive, where they live, their life partner and so on. We don’t always go for the cheap for those things…so why does it have to be this way for Print? I would say that more often than not, it is because the printer did not offer enough of a reason to choose on anything other than price!
Would you like my free E-Book on Bookbinding?
Who is this for?
Printing companies, book publishers, book designers, photobook companies, yearbook producers, photographers, photo labs, societies and organizations producing genealogy & family history books, anyone involved in related print finishing or print project management fields, libraries and schools involved in need of book binding services. This is a free (.pdf format) e-book, no strings attached, no secret booby prize or surveys. Send me your full name, company, telephone and email, put “Send me the Free E-BOOK” in the subject line and I will forward you a copy as soon as I possibly can.
I will not pester or SPAM you or share your name with any other company. I will from time to time update this manual and as I do so I will email you with updates. You can opt out at any time if you no longer wish to receive an occasional update. If you ever have questions or care to talk about books and bookbinding…well I’m here for you. I’ll be happy to be your guide!
Email me here: mpugh@houchenbindery.com
If this topic was of interest, you might also want to check out this:
“How To Stop Print Buyers Choosing On Price”
By Matthew Parker
Cover Material Choices for Edition Binding
There are many available paper, cloth and leather cover materials available to us. The below swatches are some we promote as readily available options for our Pre-Made Hard Cover cases which we produce for many companies in the photobook industry. We have these in stock through one of our preferred vendors. These are also excellent options for use in your Edition Binding Projects. If you are not seeing what you are looking for, no worries–we can provide other options!
Advantage 9
Advantage is an acrylic-coated paper that combines strength and moisture resistance with a kid leather embossed surface that decorates beautifully.
Adv.9 880 Cranberry
Adv.9 885 Maroon
Adv. 9 840 Hunter
Adv.9 870 Navy
Adv.9 865 Sapphire
Adv.9 815 Chocolate
Adv.9 899 Black
Adv.9 Black Matte 800
Verona Cloth
Verona Cloths are a Rayon book cloth which is the standard of excellence in Europe. With its paper backing, bright vibrant colors and natural fabric appearance, Verona is an excellent choice.
Lemon Appeal 516
Coal Black 599
Orange Blast 509
Ablaze 680
Summer Pool 566
Blue Jay 519
Lime Explosion 517
Plum 513
Smoke-645
Gun Metal 543
Bisque 504
White-601
Oatmeal-624
Leather Choices
The high quality Bonded leathers are manufactured to a consistent thickness for ease of use in the bindery. Their rich, elegant look that make them the ideal cover choice for wedding albums and photobooks and more!
Black 205
Brown 204
Burgundy 201
Forest 202
Navy 203
Luminaire
Finely woven cloth with a pearlized finish, Luminaire adds a sophisticated elegance to any project. Perfect for luxury packaging, yearbooks, special editions, menus, binders or any project craving a unique sophistication.
Luminaire 42602 Parrot Blue
Luminaire 31202 Champagne
Luminaire 15004 Pearl Drop
Luminaire 14551 Mink Coat
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Tips for producing your own Family History Book
Genealogy has become one of the most popular hobbies out there. The growth in this field is no longer just something for the older generation, or the ultra-wealthy. People from across all age groups, nationalities and income levels are searching for information on their past. Have you been working up your own family history manuscript with the eventual purpose of printing and edition binding your own set of books?
As a book bindery specialized in short run lengths, we work with alot of these type of projects and I tend to hear many similar questions from these types of customer. So I have put together some links and suggestions I hope you find helpful here.
1) Choice of Paper and Cover Materials
Use an acid free paper so that the book will remain in good condition for generations to come. Make sure all end sheets and cover material options are suitable as well. Some of the text papers we stick to for this kind of work are: Finch Brightwhite (or Antique) and Accent Opaque. These are just a few of the standard choices we will suggest to you as a starting point.
* Always make sure the grain direction of your pages run parallel to the spine (binding) edge. Most good printers know this, but some will not–especially if they rarely deal with book printing and binding. Be sure to check. This will insure nice openability of pages after binding.
2) Margins
The appropriate margin is up to the end user, but from a manufacturing standpoint, we recommend using a gutter margin of atleast 5/8″ and about 1/2″ on the top, bottom and face edges.The “gutter” margin means it is the inside margin where the binding occurs.
3) Copyright, Library of Congress and ISBN bar codes
None of these items will matter all that much if this book is just being handed out to family members. More serious genealogists will want to go through all these steps and pocedures however if they plan to sell in bookstores or have distributed into public libraries. Here is a link to some information on this.
4) What software should I use?
There are many out there, ranging from simple to more complex: Microsoft Word or Publisher, Adobe In-Design and on to other proprietary family tree makers, etc. Be cautious of services such as Ancestry.com- which have proprietary family tree building tools to use, but then locks you in to printing only through their service when you are finally at that stage. From my perspective, I would not want to spend all the time building the book, only to find that I do not have sole ownership of the files at the end. While you may gather and find alot of useful information through one of these online services, be sure to extract the information you find and insert it into your own document.
5) What type of binding should I use?
We recommend Double Fan Adhesive or PUR adhesive binding for short run length family history books. Other options could be Oversewn, Smyth Sewn or side sewn depending on certain variables, page counts and other considerations.
Hopefully this information is helpful to you as you go through this journey of documenting your family history. Should you have any questions as to how the end product might look or need to be constructed, please feel free to call or mail me. Talking to the bindery at the early stages can save you some valuable time later on!
(C) Copyright 2013 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved
Tips for producing your own Family History Book
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US as in U.S. (A little dose of American Book Manufacturing)
As detailed in a late fall 2012 article by Jim Milliot in Publisher’s Weekly: The book publishing industry is dealing with two conflicting trends at the moment: the number of individual titles produced continues to rise while the number of print units sold continues to fall.
All of these trends actually bode really well for short run length edition binding specialists like Houchen Bindery Ltd.
As one who literally grew up in and around the printing and publishing industry, (my dad worked for Josten’s Yearbooks and my uncle was a pressman in Omaha for 40 years) I have seen many changes to the printing/publishing model over the years. From mostly just traditional publishers several years ago, today there are numerous routes to select for book publishing and more than ever now –”self publishing” has come of age. For me, true, bare bones “self publishing” consists of an author handling all phases of a book production process from editorial, design, printing, binding, and distribution, sales and marketing.
As you can quickly see though, even the notion of self publishing just one title, puts an author into a whole business all in and of itself. Thus, from all over the world, there are now companies calling themselves: “author services” or something along those lines, to help authors wade through the process of book publishing. Great idea, but it’s all about the execution.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some very good, and very legitimate companies in this business. We work with many of these companies. They employ people who know their craft or have the connections to put together a comprehensive turn-key service for an author. Some are more focused on pre-publication services , while others are better suited towards the marketing of your book after it is published and others are full service. But there are many people who will warn you about some of these the wolves in sheep’s clothing types- with steep prices for their “packages” and little in terms of results to show for the money you will spend. I have seen far too many individuals who just self published one book, think they know all about it now and want to help you because they are the “expert” (I hate that word). So the catch phrase as always is “buyer beware”!
For some people, an author services company may be just what they need. But after all is said and done though, there are some types of projects that a person just needs a good printer and binder combo to put a book project together. That’s where Houchen Bindery Ltd. can be of great assistance. Either you are a printer in need of a binder or a self publisher- such as a family history style publication looking for higher quality hardcover binding services for a short run length of books, or perhaps a you are a photographer or children’s book illustrator wanting to produce a title in limited quantities to begin with.
We specialize in those types of short run length hard cover binding work that many companies will turn away. We know we can’t be everything to everybody. So for instance if you need some assistance with editing, ISBN’s, indexing cover or interior design, or marketing and promotions on the back end, I can point you to people we know and have worked with in the past that provide those services.
The printing, publishing, bookbinding industry is an exciting mix of colorful individuals. I know people from around the world in many different aspects of this business. I have always felt a great sense of camaraderie every time I attend an industry trade show or gathering involving printing or publishing. Over the past few years, I have also found that collaboration with other companies who might consider us to be “competitors” has been very beneficial and rewarding. By putting our differences aside and working together we have often been able to create projects beyond what either one of us could do individually. Wow–I think that’s the definition of teamwork isn’t it?
As some of you may or may not know that for about 15 years previous, I was deeply involved in overseas (Asian) book print production. But for the past almost 5 years, I have been working here in the USA. While I still have some good friends in Asia, to me it is really exciting to see American book manufacturing coming back full circle. I am not sure I could have predicted this 15 years ago. The shorter print runs are driving this trend.
Don’t get caught waiting for your shipment of books!
There is a story that I very much relate to today. Legend has it that Sony founder and CEO Akio Morita met with a small group of men in a burned-out Tokyo department store in the wake of World War II. Morita’s advisors presented a strategy for building a fledgling Sony. The plan would make Sony the number 1 technology company in Japan. However, Morita didn’t see this as the company’s goal. He changed the mission to make Japan the number 1 technology country in the world.
So call me crazy–I may just be a guy standing out in a corn field hollering. Actually….er, I am . But my challenge to all of us in the USA for our industry today, is to make the USA a good place to bring back the business to. Shorter run lengths and new frontiers such as the photobook and yearbook markets dictate the need for closer to home manufacturing. That means us as in U.S.! How about a little dose of American Book Manufacturing? Are you with me?
(C) Copyright 2013 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved
US as in U.S. (A little dose of American Book Manufacturing)
2013, the year to take your Book Printing services to a whole new level!
What are your plans for the New Year? Will this be the New Year’s I dust off this bottle of Cristal Champagne and celebrate? Hmmm….we’ll see! I love this time of year and have many reasons to be excited. As we close out 2012, and move into a new year, I have a few items of interest for the printers we serve.
Have you been following digital printing industry trends? I recently read about trends in a report made available from Oce and InfoTrends: If you have not seen this information, you should. The data clearly shows strong growth in digital book printing and photobooks through 2015.
Short run hard cover edition binding services are a perfect extension of services to start offering in 2013!
The markets of self publishing and photobooks are showing tremendous opportunities for digital printers. So how do you as a printer, tap this market? You either need substantial investments in equipment or you need a good partner.
I have spent the last 4.5 years with Houchen Bindery Ltd. initiating new relationships with printing companies and publishers throughout the Midwest and beyond. During that time we have built some very good relationships with many key accounts. Now as we move into 2013, I have developed some powerful new tools and services I will be introducing for our print provider/partners to use which will help market book printing capabilities better than ever before. If you are a digital print shop of any size, without any further investment in equipment or personnel, you can partner with us to produce hardcover and softcover books for your customers. Never again will you have turn away book binding business that you could not produce in-house. Now, through these new developments, it will be easier than ever to add-on and market this service.
I hope you had a great year this 2012. Now it’s almost finally year end, I have one more day on Monday of some finishing up of last minute rush works to ship and then it’s over. But I am not waiting for 2013 to start planning. I have already made my plans for 2013! How about you?
I look forward to talking with each of my current and new print partners about this in early 2013. If you have been thinking about offering hard cover and soft cover bookbinding services, and we have’t spoke–I welcome your call. This is the year to take your print services to a whole new level. Let me show you how!
Happy NEW YEAR!
Get My FREE E-BOOK on BOOKBINDING!
Would you like to know more about the various techniques we use to bind books? I created this e-guide to help educate new and existing customers on our procedures. If you would like to receive a Free copy of my E-Book on bookbinding, please email me at: mpugh@houchenbindery.com. Martin Pugh 1-800-869-0420
(C) Copyright 2012 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved
EDITION BINDING
Book Binding Method Decision Guide
I am often asked how a new edition should be be bound. I have a series of questions that need to be addressed before arriving at the best answer. I have also heard the term “decision tree” in use by some of my co-workers who are more involved in the Library Binding services we offer. I know that a Library Binding “decision tree” looks a bit different than this chart I have constructed below.
Edition Binding and Library Binding differ in a few ways, whereas Library Binding is primarily concerned with preservation, Edition Binding is often more focused on aesthetics, as well as durability. The last thing to consider is cost effectiveness. With Library Binding and Textbooks, the cost per unit to produce these books is often higher. With some Fine Editions, there is also not as much concern for the price per unit. But on many editions we produce, (that are intended to compete in book stores), there is a fine balancing act of providing a good binding at a cost effective price. So it is all these things I take into consideration when choosing the correct binding method for a project.
Inevitably, there are more specific questions than these below to arrive at a final decision. This is intended as a starting point. Thickness, trim size, paper style and intended usage all weigh heavily on the final decisions for binding of a new edition.
I hope you find this chart to be helpful. As always, your questions and comments are welcome. I will be adding this information into future updates of my Free E-Book on Bookbinding. If you would like to receive a Free copy of this e-guide on bookbinding, please email me at: mpugh@houchenbindery.com.
(C) Copyright 2012 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved
Book Binding Method Decision Guide
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A Free E-Book on Bookbinding!
Do you think I was gambling by offering a Free E-Book of all things on Bookbinding? Think that’s crazy? Think I’m looking through the periscope backwards? Nope. It all makes perfect sense, really. I’m wagering you’ll agree.
The reason I created this guide is that there is a huge need to help educate our current and prospective business partners on bookbinding techniques. Bookbinding is in great demand, and I am by no means threatened by Ebooks. I have been around the business just a little while long enough to know that there is SO MUCH to learn when it comes to bookbinding, and no one seems to know everything that there is needed to be known. It also seems that no two bookbinding companies are exactly alike in every detail. That’s why you need a guide. The Free E-Book idea just seemed to make sense.
So what I have put together here is a brief guide with many links to more in depth details on our web site and through some of my blog posts I have put out over the last couple years. This is by no means a comprehensive guide, but it’s a start.
Who is this for?
Printing companies, book publishers, book designers, photobook companies, yearbook producers, photographers, photo labs, societies and organizations producing genealogy & family history books, anyone involved in related print finishing or print project management fields, libraries and schools involved in need of book binding services. This is a free (.pdf format) e-book, no strings attached, no secret booby prize or surveys. Send me your full name, company, telephone and email, put “Send me the Free E-BOOK” in the subject line and I will forward you a copy as soon as I possibly can.
I will not pester or SPAM you or share your name with any other company. I will from time to time update this manual and as I do so I will email you with updates. You can opt out at any time if you no longer wish to receive an occasional update. If you ever have questions or care to talk about books and bookbinding…well I’m here for you. I’ll be happy to be your guide!
Email me here: mpugh@houchenbindery.com
Happy Holidays!
(C) Copyright 2012 Martin Pugh All Rights Reserved
A Free E-Book on Bookbinding!
Photo Credit: “Woman And Gambling Chips” by marin Source:www.freedigitalphotos.net
