In addition to developing your catalog printing design and layout, one of the more important elements is what you would choose for your binding. Should you apply a spiral binding for your software catalog? Or a saddle stitch would be more appropriate for your RTW catalog? Here are some of the binding methods available in the catalog printing industry today:

Fold –

This binding method is the most popular among all the finishing touches for your catalog printing. To create the most cost effective folding method, printers usually fold the catalogs to the size of 5 ½ by 8 ½ inches and then seal them with specialized stickers.

Saddle Stitch –

Next to the folding method, saddle stitch is probably one of the favorites among catalog printing companies. It involves stapling your catalog printing pieces using a machine cut wire. This wire is “stitched" into the paper then cinched on the other side. However, this kind of binding method is effective on paper of not more than 120 pages. More pages would make the center pages pop out from the catalog.

Perfect Bind –

For bigger books and magazines, printers generally use the perfect binding method or the adhesive binding. These books and magazines are expected to be read for more than a few years. They are usually reference books, textbooks, telephone directories, and paperback novels, among others. The perfect binding method can generally handle more than 96 pages, although it may be more limited when you use very heavy paper material.

Case Bind –

This type of binding method uses thread and is sewn to the catalogs. Basically, this method is applied to heavy books and magazines intended to be used for many years. And because of the durable case binding, the bound materials don’t easily fall apart.

Glue Bind –

Also known as paste binding, it is the fastest and most inexpensive binding method used. The glue binding method is usually done on a web offset printing press. The downside: the whole catalog printing material should be consistently done on the same paper stock.

Mechanical Bind –

This binding method includes in its list the loop method, spiral, double wire-o, and plastic comb binding. You basically do the binding one book at a time, or in this case, one catalog at a time. All of the binding methods associated with mechanical binding typically involve the use of plastic wires that spiral or loop the spine of the product. They are indeed highly durable, and allow the bound catalog printing material to open flat. The disadvantage however, is that you need to use a binding machine, which can be very costly when utilized in longer catalog printing product runs.

Utilizing one catalog binding is a matter of choice. There are really no hard rules when it comes to the binding method to use. Choosing the right binding method would be determined by your needs, as well as your budget requirements.