How To Bind A Book

binding a book

Bookbinding styles range from simple to more complex. Options for self-binding include taping the book, binding it with string or ribbon, gluing it, or even sewing the pages into a book. If you are creating a mock up dummy for your book, here a few tips to bind a book.

Fold the pages in half. Make the fold using a bone folder or by running a ruler over it and smoothing it down. You can fold each page individually, or fold multiple pages together.

If there are too many pages to fold, try creating packets of signatures. One signature is a group of 4 sheets folded down the center, which creates 16 pages. Load the signatures on top of one another.

Saddle Stitch or Glued Books

Staple at the folded crease. To produce a saddle stitched book, staple the crease facing down. The flat part of the staple should face outwards and the staple arms should rest on the inside of the fold. We recommend a long reach stapler in case a regular stapler can’t reach the middle crease.

If your pages are folded as signatures, staple each signature separately. If the cover stock is a different paper, glue the stapled sheets to the cover.

Sewing the Signatures to Create a Hardcover Book

To create a sewn hardcover book, fold and staple the pages as previously instructed. Then, mark five, equally spaced dots on the pages to mark where you will sew. Use a ruler to ensure these are evenly spaced between each one. Mark these dots inside the crease so that you know where to sew. Once they are marked, create holes over these dots with a large needle or an awl made for piercing paper.

When the holes are in place, choose whatever color thread you prefer and begin to sew the signatures together. Sew the pages together to form a book block. Then, glue the book block to the cover stock and you have your white board dummy book.

If seeking professional print and binding, please contact PRC Book Printing.  We offer offset printing, along with many types of machine binding techniques.   Please call us toll free 888.659.8320 or email: info@prcbookprinting.com     and speak to a friendly and educational customer representative.

Contact Us / Request A Quote

Contact Sidebar

Related Posts

Custom Book Covers

There are many different printing techniques that can make your books stand out from competition booksellers. We have already discussed custom book...

Custom Book Printing

Dimensions for Custom Book Printing The main question asked from Self-Publishers, authors and designers, “What is a standard book size?” ...

General Info

Business Hours

M-F: 8am – 5pm
Weekends: Closed

i

Related Posts

What Is Paper Opacity?

What Is Paper Opacity?

Many people think that once a book is written or illustrated, all the hard work is over. But there's much more that goes into the creation of a book. Between a piece of paper's weight, texture, brightness, and opacity, it's a lot to learn! If you're just beginning...

Embossing vs. Debossing: The Differences Explained

Embossing vs. Debossing: The Differences Explained

Have you ever run your hands over the top of your credit card and felt those ridges of numbers? Those ridged numbers were created with a technique called embossing. Or perhaps you've picked up a paperback book and felt imprinted lettering on the front cover. Those...

Hardcover vs Board Book: Which ShouldYou Choose?

Hardcover vs Board Book: Which Should
You Choose?

Every self-proclaimed bookworm has had the age-old debate: paperback or hardcover? This small distinction between reading material preferences has divided readers for years, and in recent years, other strong contenders have entered the ring. Between eBooks,...