Ways To Bind A Book

Spiral Wire Binding

The book is punched with a series of small holes on the left. A coil binding then is screwed into those holes from one end of the book to the other. The binding may be made of either plastic or wire and allow the printed document to lie flat and to double over. Spiral wire coils range from 1/4 inch to 2 inches in diameter and can bind books of up to 24 inches in length.

Typical Uses

Technical manuals 

Presentations

Notebooks 

Calendars

Plastic Comb Binding

One of the cheapest options of bindings, however, they are usually inserted by hand which can be costly for large quantities. They are made of lightweight plastic that can be used for books up to 3 inches thick. The style allows the pages to lie flat when open, and you can easily add or subtract pages. These bindings are the most susceptible to damage.

Typical Uses

Reports

Presentations

Formal Documents

Saddle Stitch Binding

The pages are folded and inserted into a folded cover, then stapled through the fold along the spine. This style is suitable for both self-covered books (where the cover stock, or paper, is the same as the text), and books with separate covers. Generally the maximum number of pages is 96 (depending on weight and bulk of the paper used, this number may vary).

Typical Uses

Magazines

Small Soft Covered Books

Brochures

Side Stitched Binding

The pages are cut all the same size and stacked, then staples are inserted down the side of one edge of the book's front, 2 to 3 times depending on thickness and paper weight. The result is a sturdy binding, however the book will not lie flat when opened. This binding style is generally less expressive than other styles.

Typical Uses

Note Pads

Tear-off Calendars

Reports

Case Bound (Section Sewing)

This binding style is typically used for books of more than 80 pages, which require a strong, high-quality finish. The pages of the book are collated, and then sewn together with thread. The cover is then glued to the spine of the page block. Case Bound is generally the most expensive style, so are usually only used for books that must withstand constant use.

Typical Uses

Hardcover Books

Reference Books

Text Books

Novels

Perfect Binding

The most common style used for binding commercially produced paperback books, and is generally cheaper than Case Bound. With this method, glue is applied to the left edges of the pages, and the cover is glued to the page block. Perfect binding is not recommended for books in constant use.

Typical Uses

Paperback Books

Large Magazines

User Manuals

Wire-O Binding or Double Wire Binding

This binding holds the pages of the book in place by a double-loop wire inserted through holes on the left edge. It does not spiral through the book rather it creates a wire comb. The pages lay flat when opened and can rotate 360 degree. Wire-O bindings are durable, but do not permit printing on the spine.

Typical Uses

Reference books

Reports

Cook books

Proposals

Post Binding

This style has a cover and back similar to a hardcover book, 2 to 3 screws are used along the left to bind the cover content and spine together. A post binding method can be disassembled and pages can be added or removed.

Typical Uses

Photo Albums

Thesis Papers

Presentations