OUGD504 - Studio Brief 01 - Binding

'Binding is the collective term for the range of processes that are used to hold together the pages or sections of a publication to form a book, magazine, brochure or other format. The different binding methods available allow designers to make choices about the functionality of a publication in addition to it's visual qualities, performance and cost. Used creatively, binding can provide a simple means of differentiating a publication and adding a special touch. 

Binding choices have a direct influence on the durability of a publication; sewn or burst binding are more durable methods than perfect binding, for example. Consumer magazines have a short shelf life and so saddle stitching or perfect binding is typically used as these methods are cheaper and their durability for the format is of less importance. If a publication needs to lie flat, which is often the case for manuals, wiro or Canadian binding is more appropriate.' - Ambrose / Harris, ' Print and Finish' 

The publication will either use case binding, perfect binding or an alternate form of binding such as open stitch or cable tie. 

Case or edition binding is a durable method used in the production of hard back books. 
It protects the book and makes it more durable, meaning it can withstand a lot more wear and tear from the reader. 

The hardback can be covered with book cloth or buckram, a coarse linen or cotton fabric which can then be screen-printed onto, foiled, flocked or embossed. 

Headbands and tailbands are also commonly found in hardbound books. They are pieces of cloth tape that cover the top and bottom of the spine for both decorative and protective purposes. 

This type of binding would be suitable for my book as it would make it look more upmarket and longer lasting than a paperback book, however would make the production costs more expensive, raising the price of the book which could potentially put my target market off purchasing. It would however make the book more durable if the user were to take it around with them to hunt down the content within. 

Perfect or unsewn, binding is a method that is commonly used for magazines and paperback books.

To perfect bind a publication, the sections are formed into a block and the binding edge is glued with a flexible adhesive, which holds them together without the use of stitches and also attaches the cover. 

The binding edge may sometimes be cut to allow the adhesive to have greater purchase, which is why the method is sometimes called cut-back binding. The fore-edge is then trimmed to give a clean, straight finish. The quality of the adhesive will determine how durable this binding is. 

The bonuses of perfect binding is that it is cheaper to produce and can still be made to be durable. a variety or different materials can be used for the cover including rubber, cardboard and leather. 

Alternative forms of binding include: 

Open bind. An open bind has visible forms of stitching; like this example for New Hall art collection. This adds an element of interest to the publication, showcasing the craftmanship that has gone into producing it and is also fairly cheap to reproduce. 

Clips. Clips or bolts and other hardware can also be used for binding purposes. This method is extremely cost effective and can be extremely eye catching and interesting when done well. 

I did a workshop on Coptic Binding today which involves leaving a chain of visible thread at the spine.