Binding Basics

Use cases for saddle-stitched products

If the planned publication is to be more than 0.25 inches thick, it may be advantageous to look into other methods such as stab stitching or perfect binding, which can accommodate thicker publications. Keep in mind, these binding methods sacrifice the ability of publications to lay flat and gutter space will need to be considered in the design phase. A drawback to the design of saddle-stitched publications is the inability to print on the spine, which can limit the lifespan of a publication on the shelf. This design drawback is not much of a problem for many short, single run booklets, but it can be a disadvantage if it reduces the visibility of a magazine on a stand. In saddle-stitched publications with a large number of pages, it is possible for the pages to bow out from the spine and the stitches are more likely to spring out over time. Creeping also needs to be taken into account during the design of a saddle-stitched product with a larger number of pages. Creeping refers to the gradual edge protrusion of the inner pages of a publication as more pages are nested together. After assembly, the unbound edges are trimmed to create a flush edge, but it is important to allot for creep allowance to avoid errors such as page numbers getting cut off of the centermost pages. With more pages in a publication, more creep allowance is necessary. Weighing the options Saddle stitching allows for a cost-effective publication with a faster production speed versus other binding methods, while still producing a professional-looking end product. For printed works intended to have short-term use, or those with a smaller page count, saddle stitch binding is an excellent option. Saddle stitching is often used for workbooks, wall calendars, comic books and thinner magazines and catalogs. Binding Tips Because each parent sheet is printed on both sides before it is folded into a signature, the page count for this binding type must be in multiples of four. If the front and back covers are the same substrate as the inner pages, they need to be included in the page count.

Saddle stitching is a very popular binding method due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, fast turnaround and flexible design. This binding method is highly cost effective, both in production and shipping costs. If a large quantity of publications needs to be shipped over a long distance, saddle stitching is beneficial to shipping costs as this binding method adds only a minimal amount of excess bulk and weight. After being sent to press, saddle-stitched products have a fast turnaround relative to other binding techniques like case or perfect binding. Saddle stitching produces a durable product with pages that do not slip or fall out. Any softcover publication is less durable than a hardcover publication, but the longevity of saddle-stitched products can be extended with a thicker cover substance or cover coating. One of the biggest design benefits of saddle stitched publications is their ability to lay flat when opened. Since the pages open flat, images and text can extend across a double page spread, with the content in full view and without any content getting lost in the gutter. The ability to print without design-specific restrictions is beneficial for printing publications with large photo spreads, as well as items like maps and testing booklets. When considering saddle stitching for a printing project, the main determining factor is the page count of the future publication. This binding method is most commonly used for print materials with a small number of pages. Saddle stitching is best suited for printed page counts of 16 to 64, but products can have page counts as low as eight and as high as 80, depending on the chosen weight of the paper.

Binding Basics

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