About Perfect Bound Books
Prior to printing your booklets, it's important to determine if perfect binding is the best binding method
for your particular design. Perfect binding is a popular binding method for booklets larger than 40 pages.
Unlike saddle-stitch booklets that
utilize staples in the spine,
perfect bound books are created by gluing the pages and cover at the spine with a flexible and durable thermal glue.
While they tend to be more expensive than the saddle-stitched method, perfect binding will give your books
and catalogs a highly professional, upscale design without the costs of hardcover or case bound books. The
finished product will be a softcover book that's both beautiful and durable.
The Process Of Creating Perfect Bound Booklets
Perfect bound printing begins with individual sheets of paper that are collated together and then inserted
into a perfect binding finisher that applies a glue to hold the pages together and create a finished spine.
Each individual sheet of paper has a front side and a back side, which creates two pages. Perfect bound
books can be printed in 2 page increments, which allows you greater flexibility and control over the content
of your book. Each side of paper constitutes a page, so the front cover of your booklet will count as page
1, the front inside cover of your booklet will be page 2, and so on.
Perfect Bound Booklets FAQ
What is a perfect bound book?
When you think of a perfect bound book, think of softcover books. "Perfect bound" is simply printing
terminology for how a booklet and its pages are attached to each other. Perfect binding is the method of
gluing pages together at the spine with a flexible thermal glue. Perfect bound books have a square spine.
Do I need to save my artwork as spreads or individual pages?
You will need to save your artwork as a single PDF that contains individual pages, not spreads. Page 1 of
your file should be the front cover, page 2 of your file should be the front inside cover, etc. The last
page in your document will be your back cover page.
What are some common uses for these booklets?
Perfect bound books serve a wide variety of purposes and are often used for magazines, product catalogs,
instructional manuals, company handbooks, as well as look-books for new lines of products. While
saddle-stitching can easily accommodate lower page counts, perfect bound booklets can be utilized for page
counts over 40 and is the best method for page counts higher than 72.
How long does it take to complete perfect bound book printing?
Given the nature of this binding method, perfect bound booklet printing typically takes between 7-10
business days depending on the quantity of books you order. If you have a critical due date for a project,
please contact us and let us know as we always
strive to accommodate customer deadlines.
Can you mail perfect bound booklets?
Yes, we can. Perfect bound booklets can be mailed as self-mailers, meaning they do not need to be enclosed
inside an envelope. While 5.5" x 8.5" books require wafer seals to meet USPS regulations, 8.5" x 11" books
can be mailed without tabs/wafer seals. If you'd like for U.S. Press to mail your books, simply select the
mailing option on our instant pricing calculator. For booklet mailing, the postage cost is largely dependent
on the size and weight of your particular piece and thus will be invoiced as a second charge once we process
your mail list. Note: you will be asked to upload your mail list after you place your initial print order
online.
What’s the difference between each paper stock? What's the best to choose?
We offer uncoated, gloss, and matte paper stocks. To determine the best stock for your project, it's best to
look at the design of your book. Each book we print is unique and thus deserves the perfect combination of
paper stocks suited to the particular project.
If your artwork contains mostly images, we recommend choosing either a matte or gloss coated stock to make
your photographs "pop." If you're looking for a shiny appearance, choose one of our gloss stocks. However,
if you prefer your artwork to have more of a flat, modern appearance with less shine, a matte stock would be
the best fit for you.
For both our gloss and matte stocks, you will have the option to select a paper weight that best fits your
needs. 70# text paper is very lightweight and cost-effective. 80# text paper is a lightweight option and is
great for a wide variety of publications including newsletters and booklets that mail. 100# text paper is a
thicker, more premium option. If your book has a lower page count, 100# text weight can be a great option;
however, with higher page counts, either the 70# or 80# option can still give you a beautiful book for less
cost.
Alternatively, if your artwork is mostly text with few images or if you need a paper stock that can be
easily written on, 60# uncoated text might be the best option for your project. Uncoated paper has a texture
similar to copy paper and lends itself to easy hand-writing, which makes it a fantastic option for manuals,
handbooks, workbooks, and other publications that require readers to write in. Additionally, 60# uncoated
text is less expensive than our other coated papers, which can help your book project remain affordable,
particularly if your book contains a high page count.
How should I select my cover stock?
Both 80# and 100# cover are premium cover stock options that will give your perfect bound book a durable,
luxurious feel. 80# cover is the lighter cover stock between the two options; 100# cover is thicker/heavier.
Often, customers must weigh the advantages of going with a thicker cover stock with what their budget will
allow.
Can I order a perfect bound book less than 40 pages?
Perfect bound books are intended for larger publications such as catalogs, annual books, and magazines. If
you're looking to print a smaller catalog or booklet with less pages, we recommend checking out our
saddle-stitched booklets as this will be a more feasible and cost-effective option.
Can I order a perfect bound book with more than 120 pages?
Yes! While our instant pricing calculator offers page counts up to 120 pages, we have the ability to print
higher page counts. Please request a custom quote for perfect bound books over 120 pages.