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What Kind Of Binding Should You Use For Catalogs?

When you print catalogs, there are several binding options that you need to choose from. These can vary in cost and it will also change the overall appearance of your catalogs. Depending on the purpose and audience of your catalogs, one binding type may be better for your purpose than others. That is why it is important to know these binding options in catalog printing. If you are a bit clueless on these things, here are the different binding options that are common for catalog printing.

1. Perfect binding – As the term implies, perfect binding is basically the best and strongest bind that a catalog or even a booklet can have. This involves gluing the pages of your catalogs on to a straight edge. This is the same process that is used to bind books and other large and long printed materials. With this “perfect binding” process, no unseemly stitches, staples or rings will appear. Your catalog will look like a whole book or booklet by itself. The best and most professional color catalogs usually use “perfect binding”.

2. Saddle-stitched or side-stitched binding – The next kind of binding is the “stitched” kind. Though in reality this process uses staples. With this binding process several staples are used to bind the different pages of the catalogs together. There are two kinds to this. The “saddle stitched” kind and the “side-stitched” kind. The saddle stitch basically has the staples located within the fold of the pages. You can usually spot the staples around the center of the catalog. The side stitch on the other hand has staples on the opposite side. Meaning the staples located on the outside of the catalog which will be clearly visible. Using staples for binding is a bit less reliable than other kinds of binding but it is one of the most affordable options that you can have.

3. Plastic comb binding – Plastic comb binding is one of the fasted kinds of binding processes. This basically involves punching several holes in the catalog pages using a special machine. This will take only moments. Afterwards, a special “plastic comb” or teeth is inserted in the holes to bind the catalogs together. This is a simple and cheap process, which sometimes can even be done in the comfort of your home and office by just buying the equipment. However, the plastic comb is far less reliable in terms of binding all the pages unlike the other forms above. However, if you are planning on creating color catalogs at home, this is your best option.

4. Three-ring binding – This binding process is done by punching rounded holes into several parts of the catalog pages. Afterwards, several metal rings are inserted through the holes to bind the pages together. These are usually fitted into a “binder” which acts as the overall cover for the catalog. This kind of binding is perfect if your catalog content changes frequently. Unlike other kinds of binding, you can insert or remove pages at will with three ring binding since the metal rings can clasp open and close when needed.

So those are some of the most common binding techniques for catalog printing. For better customization of your catalogs, it is best to use three ring. For the best bind, go for perfect binding since it has that professional finish. For mid range binding, you can try saddle or side stitched binding. For cheap home or office catalog binding the plastic comb is the best. Each kind can cater to a specific purpose or catalog printing budget. Just choose the one that best fits your goals.

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For more information, you can visit this page on catalog printing