When having magazines or brochures professionally printed, you may have to determine what is the best way to bind your publication. What are the different options for doing that? You will want to weigh the pros and cons of saddle stitch vs. perfect bound for your publication. Saddle stitch and perfect bound are both commonly used, but one is usually better than the other for certain situations. Let’s look at saddle stitch vs. perfect bound for your publication.
Saddle Stitch
Saddle stitch consists of folded sheets of paper held together by wire staples. Staples are driven through the crease of the folded pages to create a spine. This is how the pages are secured as a unit.
· Low page count, less than 68
· Pages in multiples of 4
· Economical binding option
· Can lie flat when open, works well for artwork that spans two pages
Perfect Bound
Perfect binding is gluing pages and the cover together at the spine with a strong yet flexible glue.
· Flat spine-allows for writing on the spine and stand out on a bookshelf
· Extended longevity
· More than 68 pages-starting at 28 pages
· Option to use varying types of paper
Which One?
In conclusion, saddle stitch will suffice for a smaller publication that is not meant to last forever. Saddle stitch is best for pamphlets and short magazines, while perfect bound is meant for a publication that may be looked at repeatedly. Perfect bound is best for a softcover book or a thicker magazine with varying paperweights. Perfect bound is also the best option for a publication that may be stored on a bookshelf because information can be printed on the spine.
If you need help deciding between saddle stitch or perfect bound for your publication, call CPC Printing & Promotions today at 608-781-1050 or send an email to learn which method is right for you. Our company services businesses throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana.
