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About Perfect Bound Printing

One of the four binding options that we offer is perfect bound printing. Paperback books are the classic example of perfect binding. Many magazines, catalogs, and booklets are also perfect bound. With perfect bound printing, the inside pages are glued to the cover on the spine and a little up the spine to hold the cover in place. Other common names for perfect binding are soft cover binding and paperback binding. Check out our online calculators for instant quotes:

 

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The Advantages & Disadvantages of Perfect Bound Printing

Advantages of Perfect Binding Include:

  • Perfect bound books have a very professional look that lays flat when it is not open for reading.
  • It is the only binding style where you can have printing on the spine.
  • Perfect bound books are very reasonably priced, even for small quantities.
  • A wide range of pages and sizes can be perfect bound.

Disadvantages of Perfect Binding Include:

  • When opened, perfect bound books cannot lay completely flat. If readers attempt to do so, there is the possibility of breaking the spine.
  • If the user is going to write in the book, perfect binding is not the best option, since the book won’t lay flat.
  • Part of the bound side of the book is caught in the spine. Thus, care is needed when graphics are spread against two pages.

How Are Books Perfect Bound?

  • 01 When we print your books on our digital machines, the covers and inside pages are printed separately. For the inside pages, we print 2 to 4 sets of the book on large sheets of paper. Covers for perfect bound books are twice the size of the inside pages plus the spine of the book. Covers are also printed on large sheets, with 1 to 2 covers printed on each sheet, depending on the size of the cover. If lamination is ordered, it is put on the covers after printing.
  • 02 We then cut the inside pages down to one book per set and one cover. At this point, both the covers and inside pages are cut to slightly larger than their finished size. After binding, they will be cut to the exact finished size, so that the edges of the book are even.
  • 03After the books have set so the glue has a chance to dry, they are then cut to size on three sides. Cutting the books after they have been bound allow them to have even sides.
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Types of Glue

There are two types of glue used in perfect binding — EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) and PUR (polyurethane). EVA glue dries much quicker than PUR glue, but EVA glue is not as durable. EVA glue will work fine for most applications. However, PUR glue is almost impossible to pull apart and will not come apart in very cold or hot weather. PUR books can also lay flat without breaking the spine.

Perfect Binding Machines

We have two perfect binding machines — one that uses EVA glue and another that uses PUR glue. If possible, we will use the PUR machine to give more versatility to your books. However, there are certain circumstances when we can’t use PUR glue — when the book is smaller than 5 x 7 inches, the book has fewer than 40 pages, or the book must be shipped the same day it is bound (PUR glue must dry overnight).

Article on Perfect Binding

For a more detailed description of the perfect binding process.

Perfect Bound FAQs

How do you calculate the size of the spine for a book?

Can you print on the spine of the book?

What size perfect bound books can be printed?

Can you print landscape perfect bound books?

What is the minimum and maximum number of pages that can be perfect bound?

Do you offer lamination for covers?

Do you offer corner rounding for perfect bound books?

How should files be submitted?

Should the files be submitted as single pages or spreads?

Can you print on the inside of the cover?

Inspiration for Books

We hope you’ll take time to check out some of our Client Spotlights. These spotlights detail the book printed as well as the client’s comments on working with Dazzle Printing. Here are some wire-o books you might want to take a look at:

Contact Us with Questions

When it comes time to print your perfect bound book, we hope that you will consider Dazzle Printing. We offer outstanding quality, numerous options, small print quantities, reasonable prices, outstanding client service, free shipping on orders over $399, and 100% satisfaction guarantee. We’re sure you’ll be thrilled with your printing experience! If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 1-800-338-4329, email us at help@dazzleprinting.com, or chat with us online (our online chat is in the bottom right corner of every page on our website).

If you’d like to get instant pricing on your perfect bound book, just check out our online calculator.

 

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