Notebook Resources › Notebook Binding Methods ›

Perfect Binding

Perfect Binding

Perfect Binding is recognisable by the flush meeting of the cover and the pages. Usually with a thin card cover, this type of binding is used for publications such as non-fiction books and catalogues. In simple terms, is where small groups of folded pages called signatures are trimmed at their spines, roughed up, grouped together and glued to a wrap around cover with a strong adhesive. When the the book has dried, the adhesive keeps each individual page firmly bound.

Why Perfect Binding?

Usually the cover is a made from a soft paper and is identifiable by its flat, rectangle spine. This type of neat binding is most commonly used for catalogues, magazines, booklets and brochures.

Perfect Bound books are flexible and are easily portable. The cover, although not hard and rigid, still provides enough protection for the interior and its flat appearance enables the book to be distributed easily. Another appeal for perfect binding is that they are cheaper to make than hardcover books, and still have a long shelf life. Its rectangular spine still also allows for a title of a book or project to be written on.

Variations of Perfect Binding

PUR Binding

In addition, PUR binding is a type of perfect Binding which is where the cover and all pages are glued together at the spine and all other sides are trimmed to ensure the edge finish is flush and perfect. PUR is an abbreviation of the glue Polyurethane Reactive which is used to bind the book together and is the most enduring book binding glue.

Notch Binding

Another type of perfect binding is called ‘notch binding’. This is where ‘notches’ are cut into the signatures and glue is placed to fix the cover and is a more robust type form of perfect binding.

Case Study: Bookblock Catalogue

Our recent Bookblock catalogue has been perfect bound using a soft touch cover. The interiors are offset printed onto gloss paper to enhance the colours and saturation of the images. This type of perfect binding allows the catalogue to be flicked through and it’s flat appearance and light weight allows for it to be distributed easily.