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BINDING

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» Limpbound
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» Flexibinding
» Wire-o
» Board Books
» Nonbooks Product
» Special Techniques
» Durabooks

Binding

This section is an introduction to a variety of binding styles
Pictures of binding styles

Automatic Binding

Vertical / Upright Formats
Maximum size for automatic binding for a hardback or paperback book is 12-1/2” x 15-1/2”

Horizontal / Landscape Formats
Maximum size for automatic binding for a hardback book is 12-1/2” x 12”, for a paperback it is 11" x 11".

Hand Binding
There is no maximum size for a handbound book.

Hardback

Hardback binding, also known as case binding, involves sewing each individual signature for durability, adhering all the signatures to a muslin binding strip, and then anchoring the resulting "book block" into a cloth-covered or paper-covered rigid board "case." Heavy endsheet paper is then glued over the inside of the case to both decorate the inside front and back of the book and to lock the book block into place by anchoring the ends of the backing strip.

Limpbound

Signatures are prepared for a limpbound binding just as they are for hardback binding: they are folded and then sewn together for durability. However instead of being adhered into a hard-board case, they are instead placed into a sturdy paper cover. This durable binding makes for the highest quality paperback available. Limpbound books can be further enhanced by adding flaps to the front and back covers.

Notch

Notched binding is a combination of the cost-effectiveness of perfect binding and the durability of limpbound binding.

Notched-binding signatures are folded and gathered into a book block just as they are for perfect binding. But instead of grinding off the entire spine to produce a block of individual pages the spines of the signatures are "notched" in alternating bands. The crossover tabs of paper connect every page to another page, providing dramatically improved durability, while the notches allow the spine glue to move into the signature, adhering the innermost pages. (See illustration at right).

This is the binding we recommend for quality paperback editions.

Perfect

Perfect binding involves gathering all the signatures for a book into a book block and then grinding off the spine of that block to produce a neat stack of individual sheets. These are then glued into a heavier paper cover to produce a square-spine, paperback volume. This binding is used for the vast majority of trade paperback books because it is easy to produce and economical.

The major disadvantage to perfect binding is its lack of durability. Basically each individual page is "padded" into the glue along the spine. Sometimes if the spine is forcibly cracked, or the glue holding the spine together ages and becomes brittle, individual pages can fall out of a perfect-bound book.

Flexibinding

Flexibinding is a popular hybrid between a paperback and hardcover binding. This format is popular for handbooks and guidebooks. The book blocks are sewn and have endpapers. The covers are usually made with laminated paper over a lightweight board and a round backed spine, which allows the book to lie flat. It is a less expensive option than hardback binding, but offers a higher perceived value than a traditional limpbound paperback.

Wire-o

Wire-o is a general term used to indicate different binding styles in which the cover and text pages are not sewn, but rather held together by a metal or plastic wire-o, spiral or comb.

Wire-o

Sometimes confused with spiral or coil binding, Wire-O binding does not spiral through the printed material, but instead travels in a back-and-forth path that creates a kind of wire comb. This style is popular in the production of calendars and paperback books such as manuals and reference titles that need to lay flat when in use.

There are several options for dressing up a Wire-O binding. You can have a semi-concealed Wire-O binding that provides a printable spine. Semi-concealed is available in a paperback or hardback version. You can also use a concealed Wire-O style that almost completely hides the binding and presents a clean and attractive appearance while maintaining the advantages of a lay-flat style.

Spiral

Spiral binding has the lay-flat advantages of Wire-O, but its architecture is slightly different. As with Wire-O, the book block is punched with a series of small holes. A coil binding then is screwed into those holes from one end of the block to the other. You can use plastic or metal spiral.

Comb

This binding style is sometimes used on cookbooks and other titles that must lay flat when in use. It uses a plastic toothed “comb” to hold the book block and covers together. Plastic binding is available in various colors.

Binding Comb

Board Books

Board-book binding is unlike any other and is used almost exclusively on titles for children. Each page is a rigid board that is faced with a printed (and often laminated) sheet on both sides. The sheets run from board to board creating a hinge between each page, and it is these hinges that hold the whole book together.

Nonbook Products

Nonbook products include a wide variety of products from stationary to kits to ceramic items. Asia Pacific Offset, together with our colleagues in Hong Kong, have years of experience in helping our clients develop new products. We offer suggestions for the most cost efficient and high-end options to make your product unique. As one stop shopping source for your project, we bring together all elements in a kit, from a princess tiara to a special ceramic bowl. Please contact your local sales office to find out the options available for your project.

Special Techniques

Here are some examples of special printing techniques available through Asia Pacific Offset:

Glitter on top of spot UV area
Thermographic
Flocking
Embossing + Spot UV
Fluorescent glitter
Silkscreening with silver ink
White colored spot UV
Thermoheated
Glitter
Scents (apple, lemon)
Embossing
Light Sensitive
Grained matt spot UV
Plastic flocking
Glow-in-the-dark inks
Silkscreened fluorescent ink
Debossing

Durabooks

About DuraBooks™

DuraBooks™ look and feel like ordinary books, but are constructed of tear- and stain-resistant synthetic paper with a unique patented binding. This enables them to withstand a wide variety of real-life elements, such as water, dirt, grease, and humidity. While the paper feels and looks like high-quality coated art stock, DuraBooks™ lend themselves to cleaning and handling that far exceeds the abilities of a standard paperback. Their patented binding process is much sturdier than any paper or hardcover book binding, and has been tested to hold up to the same extreme conditions as the DuraBooks™ paper. The unique attributes of DuraBooks™ make this format a good candidate for diverse use in many markets.

About the Durabooks™ Technology

The paper used to create the DuraBooks™ series is unique. Made with synthetics constructed of plastic resins and inorganic fillers, it does not use any wood pulp or cotton fiber. The plastic is extruded and stretched before its surface is treated to enhance printing performance. The innovative process creates a paper that incorporates the best characteristics of wood pulp paper and plastic film: it has great printability and smoothness combined with high strength. Four-color art reproduces beautifully at a 175 line screen/360 DPI on the paper, with results that meet or exceed the outcome on standard coated stock. The print quality is exceptional, with vibrant colors and a lush, satiny finish. DuraBooks™ paper comes in many weights and gauges, and can adhere to most manufacturing techniques including high-quality offset printing, foil stamping, embossing, die-cutting, perforating, and laminating.

About the Durabooks™ Binding

While the DuraBooks™ waterproof patented binding looks traditional, it is actually much sturdier than any regular thread-sewn book, and has been devised and tested to hold up to the same extreme conditions as the paper. The book block is sewn with a special thread, then notched and adhered to the cover with a unique glue. The glue is a custom-formulated compound invented for this purpose. It too is waterproof. While the binding looks just like a normal notch- bound book, the resulting product has superior performance and durability.

DuraBooks™ are printed through Asia Pacific Offset under license agreement with Melcher Media. DuraBooks™ is a trademark of Melcher Media, Inc. Protected under U.S. patent No. 6,773,034.
If you would like a quotation for book in the Durabook format, please contact your local Asia Pacific Sales Office.