When creating a printed piece, there are many decisions to make – from the printer you use to the paper and ink. One of the last choices to make is the type of binding and finishing you’ll use on your project. The best option depends on several factors, including your budget, the number of pages and what the item will be used for. Here’s the rundown on six popular types of binding and finishing so you can find the right option for your project.
Looking for a professional finish that won’t break the bank? For coil, comb and wire binding, a printer punches holes and applies binding to your pages. This is a great choice for projects with just a few or numerous pages, as it can handle any sheet quantity up to 300. Of the three materials – coil, comb and wire – holding the pages together, wire looks the most elevated, but is the most difficult to produce.
When working with a printer on coil, comb and wire binding, be sure to include placement for the hole punch in your design notes.
Coil, Comb and Wire Binding
Want to finish your project with a binding that looks like a paperback book? What’s called “perfect binding” might be the perfect fit for you. While it’s typically best for projects with at least 25 sheets of paper to keep the spine together, the total number of pages does not need to be a multiple of four (as is required for a saddle-stitched booklet). The pages are instead held together with glue.
The thickness of the final book depends on the paper stock you choose. It’s necessary to use a heavier stock page for the outside covers and lighter stock for the inside pages.
Perfect Binding
Saddle stitching is a fast and affordable way of making booklets. The square backing used in each piece helps flatten larger books. Because of the way they are assembled, each booklet’s page count must be in multiples of four. These four-page sheet sets are referred to as signatures.
Booklets
For this method of finishing, the printer will punch holes in each page and insert the pages into binders. Most print shops will provide binders, or you can opt to bring your own.
You can also add customized options such as clear or mylar reinforced tabs.
Three-Hole Punch Binders
Looking for a finish that will add a little something extra? Consider sleeking or foiling. In this process, the printer will apply foil to the printed pieces. Options include gold, silver, rose gold or iridescent foil. It’s a great finishing option for invitations, special cards and book covers. Unlike traditional foil stamping methods, you can fully personalize the foil.
The same machine that printers use to apply the foil can also be used to apply special lamination, including soft touch, gloss or velvet lamination.
Foiling, while stunning to look at, is a time-consuming process, which makes it a bit more expensive than other finishing methods. It requires a multi-step process to achieve the final look. Many customers choose to use it for shorter runs when they are printing fewer items.
Another way to finish printed pieces is with perforation. In this method, a special Duplo machine applies a perforated line ideal for items with removable portions (such as event tickets). You can choose from several types of perforation with different sized holes or perforation patterns. This process takes additional time, but can greatly enhance a printed piece that requires a removable section. Just pay attention to what’s on the back of the item in the area that will be torn off!
Perforating
Want to customize your next printed project? Target Print & Mail offers all of these options and more, including scoring and creasing, folding and shrink wrapping. Our expert team can help you pick the best options from design to materials, so you get a clear return on your investment, every time. Click here to request a quote today.
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