by Anna C. Massey, Gateway Bookbinding Systems Ltd. If you aren't already doing plastic spiral binding, you really should be. Plastic spiral has become one of the most popular mechanical binding choices in today's market. The durability of plastic spiral, the vast array of available colors from which to choose and advancements in the automation of the coil binding process … [Read more...] about Planning for Plastic Spiral Binding
Binding
Book Binders Find Life in the Digital Age
by Dianna Brodine, The Binding Edge Despite the shuttering of brick-and-mortar bookstores and the rapid rise in popularity of electronic reading devices, printed books remain a staple in the hands of US readers. In 2013, the annual BookStats study reported that 457 million ebooks were sold the previous year, an increase of 43 percent over 2011. However, hardcover books … [Read more...] about Book Binders Find Life in the Digital Age
Increase Stacking Capability without Compromise
by Ken Troemel and Kevin Coldren, Simco-Ion For years, electrostatic pinning (or tacking) has been an important tool for the printer and an integral part of efficient bindery operation. Effective and consistent pinning reduces run times and labor costs. Until now, the tools and strategies employed for electrostatic pinning have remained largely unchanged while the … [Read more...] about Increase Stacking Capability without Compromise
Choosing a Mechanical Binding Method: Plastic Coil or Wire?
by Jen Clark, The Binding Edge Mechanical binding can be a cost-effective way to create bound documents that open flat and can offer 360-degree rotation. With the right tools, companies can have professionally punched and bound documents produced in-house. Determining if a project needs to utilize plastic coil or wire, though, starts with knowing how the finished product … [Read more...] about Choosing a Mechanical Binding Method: Plastic Coil or Wire?
Challenges in Perfect Binding
by Jen Clark, The Binding Edge In the last decade, declining run lengths and quicker turnaround requirements have left little room for error in the bindery. Long-standing binding methods, including perfect binding, have had to evolve because offline production machines and shorter turnaround periods result in expensive short-run applications. Recent innovations in … [Read more...] about Challenges in Perfect Binding
Mechanical Binding Reacts to Changes in the Market
by Staff The demand for short runs and quick turnarounds has impacted every type of binding process, from saddlestitching to perfect binding to mechanical binding. For this Q&A, The Binding Edge contacted mechanical binding experts Gateway Bookbinding Systems, Ltd., Spiral Binding Company and Spiel Associates for their perspectives on how the on demand market has changed … [Read more...] about Mechanical Binding Reacts to Changes in the Market
Perfect Binding for Digital Print
by: Steven Calov, Heidelberg USA In the finishing realm, perfect binding plays an important role in promoting efficient operations and fast turnarounds as the market moves toward digital print. As print becomes more prominent as a marketing piece, short-run perfect binding is becoming more desirable, compared to stitched products. Speaking of digital print, its suitability … [Read more...] about Perfect Binding for Digital Print
Cloth Covers All the Rage…Again
by: Dianna Brodine In 1903, Paul Adam wrote and published "Practical Bookbinding." The how-to manual for the early 20th century was considered a definitive work, covering all aspects of bookbinding from paper type to backing boards to cover materials. In "Practical Bookbinding," Adam said, "The real protection against outward injury to the book lies in the cover." Indeed, the … [Read more...] about Cloth Covers All the Rage…Again
Viewing the Storm from the Binding and Finishing Perspective
by: Kris Bovay, BIA Board of Directors President In Thomas Friedman's 2005 book, "The World is Flat," he proposes that companies willing to change and accept change are more likely to do things, than have things done to them. Most business owners want the control of doing things. The evolution of digital media and technology is driving change in printing industries at a … [Read more...] about Viewing the Storm from the Binding and Finishing Perspective
The Art of Traditional Bookbinding in a Fast-Paced World
by: Renée Varella Companies that perform traditional bookbinding services are a rare breed indeed - and getting scarcer in our high-speed society. Here, we profile two businesses that still cater to time-honored bookbinding traditions - one that does a lot of handwork with short runs and another that's found a niche offering traditional bookbinding services with highly … [Read more...] about The Art of Traditional Bookbinding in a Fast-Paced World