Special Binding Archives - Specialties Graphic Finishers

Singer Sewn Binding

May 2, 2023/in Saddle Stitching, Special Binding /by Norm Beange

Confusing Graphic Arts Terms? Let’s Look at Saddle Sewing

What would you call the binding method in the image above? In the graphic arts industry, finishing methods can go by many names, which can make communication between designers, printers and trade finishers difficult. I’ve heard this binding style called by at least 7 different names!

Center sewn binding (the thread stitches show in the center of the signatures)
Center stitching (this can be confused with saddle stitching)
Singer sewing (the book sewing is done on a brand of Singer sewing machines)
Singer binding
Center thread sewn binding
Pamphlet stitching
Passport binding (travel passports are bound with this method)

Which is the most descriptive and least confusing term? I prefer the term Saddle Sewing because the entire industry relates to saddle stitching and this is the same style (except the metal stitches are replaced with thread).

Singer Sewn Binding

We’ve automated our Saddle Sewing process, so our pricing for larger runs of 10,000+ is cheaper and our turnaround time is shorter! Please give us a call if this binding method is the best fit for your book project.

I don’t often repeat products, but we have now automated our Saddle Sewing process and can also bind thicker booklets!

Soft Covered Case Bound Books

January 24, 2023/in Special Binding /by Norm Beange

Soft Book Case Making

This week, I’m featuring soft covered case bound books, which have the durability of hardcover cases but the flexibility of a paper book cover. This particular book has a smyth sewn book block that has rounded corners and foil edge gilding.

Both soft and hard book covers have the four edges of the cover material turned in and then glued to the front and back book endpapers. Hardcovers simply have pieces of 100pt board mounted between the cover materials and the endpapers.

We have newly installed casing-in and case making machines, which produce quality case wrapped book covers at amazing speeds.

soft covered case bound books

We offer many other services that enhance case wrapped books, including:

Ribbon bookmarks (hundreds of combinations of widths, colours and trimming styles)
Foil stamping
Foil edge gilding
Round book cornering
Slipcases and book boxes

You might have a supplier for case wrapped book covers, but please give us a call!

Casebinding

November 8, 2022/in Special Binding /by Norm Beange

Brand New Case Making Machine

I’m excited to announce that we recently installed a brand new hardcover book case making machine! This new machine increases our production speed, so we’re competitively priced against other case binding providers.

As one of North America’s premier trade finishing houses, we offer full case binding and hardcover book services. We do the entire process in-house, including making the cases, adding head & tail bands, perfect binding and Smyth sewing and casing-in.

For custom hardcover book binding, we offer these specialized services:

20″ x 20″ Smyth sewing
20″ x 20″ perfect binding
Extra-thick books
Hard and Flexible covers
Hubbed spines
Metal corners
Square, round and hubbed spines
Ribbon bookmarks
Edge painting and foil gilding
Die cut slipcases, covers & dust jackets

Our new case making machine produces quality cases for books and rigid boxes at amazing speeds! The next time a hardcover book job crosses you desk, please give us a call!

Passbook Binding

February 28, 2022/in Hardcover Books, Special Binding /by Norm Beange

This week, I’m talking about the difference between regular center sewing (a.k.a. saddle sewing) and Passbook Binding. Remember old bank account books? The stitches in those books were only visible when opened to the center, but not on the outer spine. This type of binding is called Passbook Binding and it has two key aspects: only the signatures are sewn and the cover is drawn on after.

Specialty Graphic Finishers

As you can see in the above image, Passport Books can have different colors of thread and can have rounded corners.

Specialty Graphic Finishers - Binding & Finishing

Specialty Graphic Finishers

As shown above, we can foil stamp softcovers and hardcovers for center sewn books.

Passbook Binding - Specialty Graphic Finishers

Specialty Graphic Finishers

The images above show a Passport Bound cardholder booklet.

Please give us a call to discuss how adding a cover to saddle sewn books can make your project stand out.

Unusual Binding Styles

February 1, 2022/in Folding, Special Binding /by Norm Beange

The feature of this week’s email are a few binding methods that are not as common as perfect binding and saddle stitching. As a premier full-service bindery, we offer a range of unique binding options to elevate your customer’s book binding job.

ELASTIC BOOK BINDING

Elastic book binding is highly unusual and, therefore, memorable! Books can be various sizes and thicknesses. The special elastics we source come in different widths and colours. In some situations, the elastic can be printed, for a fully custom look.

JAPANESE BOOK BINDING

Japanese binding is a glue free book binding option, which used several threads to create loops around the spine. Almost any thickness of book can be bound using this method.

DOME BOOK BINDING

Book Binding

Dome binding is a good binding method for thin books up to 3/8” thick. Books are perfect bound and can then have 2 or more dome rivets applied along the spine.

SIDE SEW BOOK BINDING

Side sew book binding is one of my favourite binding methods. Because the thread is visible from the front and back, this binding method is perfect for making a statement. There are numerous colours of thread to pick from. It’s perfect for thin books up to 1/4” thick. Numerous colours of thread. As mentioned in the video, sometimes two lines of two different colours of thread is very effective.

BOX STITCH BOOK BINDING

Box stitching is done as a secondary and purely aesthetic method of book binding. Perfect bound books up to ¼” thick can have copper or silver box stitches applied.

EYELET AND GROMMET BOOK BINDING

We have a huge capacity for eyelet and grommet binding. Our 18 riveting / eyeletting machines are always busy as demand for value-added features continues to grow. As you can see in the sample board, there is a huge range of sizes and colours. Whether your book project is thin or thick, we have a binding option for you!

GIANT DECORATIVE GROMMETS

December 21, 2021/in Special Binding, Specialty Services /by Norm Beange

GIANT DECORATIVE GROMMETS

Grommets are purely functional pieces added to reinforce holes made in paper or fabric. Are they just functional or can they be something more? This week, I’m showing you examples of how we use Grommets to elevate otherwise basic, perfect bound books to unique, memorable pieces!

We start with pre-bound books (e.g. perfect bound) up to 1/4” thick, and add one, two or three Decorative Grommets along the spine. Grommets are available in a range of diameters, flanges and colours.

GIANT DECORATIVE GROMMETS

As you can see, they’re very distinctive and really add that special something to the look of a book. If your client wants something highly unusual, give us a call!

GIANT DECORATIVE GROMMETS

BOOKS WITH TAPED SPINES

December 14, 2021/in Special Binding, Z-Fold Cards /by Norm Beange

Books with Taped Spines

This week, I’m showcasing an unusual bindery add-on for perfect bound and Smythe sewn books. The first page of the book is mounted to the inside front cover and the last page is mounted to the inside back cover. Then, to stabilize the spine, adhesive-backed cloth or embossed paper (both of which come in numerous colours) is wrapped around the spine.

Books with Taped Spines

The images above show a taped spine on a PMC / High Die Shaped book.

Books with Taped Spines

The image above shows a book with a corrugated cover and a silver taped spine.

Specialty Graphic Finishes Book Binding

The journals shown above have two variations of black tape on the spines.

Books with Taped Spines

Specialty Graphic Finishes Book Binding

The book shown above is an example embossed paper used as “spine tape.”

Specialty Graphic Finishes Book Binding

The book shown above is an example of cloth being used as “spine tape.”

Are you looking for some bindery work that is unusual? … Please give us a call!

“A picture is worth a thousand words; and a sample, a thousand pictures!” Need a sample? Please ask us for one! E-mail us at norm@sgfteam.ca

Books with Taped Spines

Side & Saddle Sewing

September 14, 2021/in Special Binding /by Norm Beange

We broke a record lately by producing this huge side sewn book! Look at the range of sizes we can produce.

This week’s topic is all about what we can do with Book Sewing. It’s amazing how with the range of modern binding methods that good old-fashioned Side Sewing and Saddle Sewing (also referred to as Singer Sewing and Center Sewing) are becoming increasingly popular! There used to be drawbacks to this style of binding, but we’ve developed techniques to make beautiful, strong books. Did you know that Side Sewn Books are more durable than perfect bound books?

There are many options for Side Sewn and Saddle Sewn Books:

Thick and thin books
Ragged or smooth back cover stitches
Fine thread or thicker, heavier thread
Long, loose threads that extend beyond the book or trimmed short
Specialty folds inside
Huge selection of thread colours, most available on short notice
Both coated and uncoated stocks can be used

Here are a few extra options for Side Sewn Books:

Run 1, 2 or 3 lines of stitching
Straight or zigzag stitches
Can be used to create folders and envelopes (shown below)

Whether your client has a thin booklet, an extra-large Side Sewing project or wants some custom Saddle Sewing or Side Sewing options, give us a call!

SWATCH BOOKS

August 10, 2021/in Special Binding /by Norm Beange

The featured product this week is Swatch Books. Swatch Books aren’t limited to just paper … if you can collate the swatches, we can make it into a book! The Swatch Book you see in the image above is part of a 50,000 run we do each year for an American printer.

SWATCH BOOKS

The images of other Swatch Books show how we hide the stitches by using the “stitch and flip” method that we’ve perfected over the years.

Producing Swatch Books requires an extensive amount of difficult collating. To hide the material edges and stitches that hold the swatches together, we “stitch and flip” the top portion of each pad. This piece requires die cutting and hand folding. In this instance, the client sent large sheets of the material, which we cut to various sizes to make the swatches.

Saddle Sewing

November 10, 2020/in Special Binding /by Norm Beange

Saddle Sewing

Saddle sewing is a type of binding that is meant to be seen. This thread used in saddle sewn books can match or contrast the stock and graphics or be matched to a corporate colour. This unique binding method shows through the front cover and the centre spread.

Saddle Sewing

Saddle Sewing - Specialties Graphic Finishers

The thread can be cut short or can be left long so it’s more noticeable. The above images show an example of clipped threads and long threads. The images below show some amazing specialty folds we can no do on saddle sewn books!

Saddle Sewn Books