A Perfect Finish

PUR Binding refers to a softcover book binding method that makes use of Polyurethane Reactive (PUR) adhesive.

PUR Binding is a form of perfect binding, where the pages and cover are glued together at the spine and the other three sides of the book are trimmed as needed to give them clean “perfect” edges.

Polyurethane Reactive (PUR) is the most durable book binding glue available. It is far superior to Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) or any other adhesives used in traditional perfect binding.

The Main Benefits of PUR Binding include…

1) PUR has superior flexibility, which prevents the spine from cracking when the book is opened wide or pressed down flat.
2) Compared to EVA adhesive, PUR offers 40% to 60% better resistance to page pull-out. In fact, it is nearly impossible to pull a page out of a book bound with PUR adhesive.
3) PUR can adhere to a wide variety of substrates, including ink, varnish, recycled paper, mylar, and UV-coated or aqueous-coated stock.
4) PUR’s performance and structural integrity is unaffected by extreme cold or hot environments (-40º to 200º Fahrenheit).
5) Because PUR is so strong and pliable, less adhesive is needed to firmly bind the cover and pages. Less glue means less distortion of the spine’s shape, resulting in a crisp, square appearance…even on thinner books.

Bottom Line: If quality and durability are important to you, always select PUR binding when you have the choice.

Perfect Binding is a widely used soft cover book binding method. With this binding method, the pages and cover are glued together at the spine with a strong yet flexible thermal glue. The other three sides of the book are then trimmed as needed to give them clean “perfect” edges.

The many soft cover books that you see on the shelves at bookstores are good examples of perfect bound books. They have a square, printed spine and the cover is usually made from paper or cardstock that is heavier than the interior pages. Plus, the cover is often clear coated to provide durability and improve appearance. In addition to authors, businesses and organizations use the perfect binding method on a variety of printing projects because of its professional appearance and relatively low cost. Perfect binding is commonly used for annual and corporate reports, manuals, catalogues, and thicker product brochures and magazines.

Benefits of Perfect Binding.
The primary benefits of perfect bound books are that they look professional and offer visual appeal, are less expensive to produce than hardcover books, and they stack well. Also, the square spinal edge formed by the perfect binding method allows for the book’s title or other information to be printed on the spine…something the saddle stitch and spiral binding methods do not offer.
In addition, perfect bound books can be printed in Short Runs and are a great candidate for On Demand Printing. This provides tremendous benefits to book authors as well as cost-conscious businesses and organizations.

The Perfect Binding Process.
To assemble a perfect bound book, your printer first stacks the interior pages together to form a crisp block. Then the spinal edge of this block is roughed up with blades or abrasives. This exposes more paper fibres and increases the bonding area for the glue. Hot glue is then applied along the roughed-up edge of the interior page block. The cover of the book is then wrapped around the block of pages and it adheres to the glue along the spine. After the glue has cured, the three open edges of the book are trimmed as needed to give them nice clean edges.

The most secure binding method. Here pages are folded together into sections (signatures). Each section is then sewn into the following section along the spine. The spine is then glued together for extra support and the cover then attached. A Section Sewn book, regardless of page count will be able to lay flat.

As with Burst Binding, pages are printed and folded into sections. They are then sewn together before a soft cover is glued/drawn on (also known as Limp Binding). The book block could also be glued with a spine liner in lieu of a cover, then glued into a hard case (Also known as Case Binding).

Wire-O Binding, also known as Twin Loop, Double-Loop, Double-O, Duo-Wire, or simply Wire Binding, is an attractive method for joining the pages and cover of a bound document.

Wire-O binding offers many of the same benefits as spiral coil binding, but is more sophisticated in appearance. As such, it produces a very impressive document. Also, it can accommodate pages and inserts of varying thicknesses, including dividers or index tabs made from heavy cardstock.

The Wire-O binding method utilizes pre-formed pairs of wire loops that run along a C-shaped unit. These wire loops are inserted through holes that have been punched through the book’s cover and pages. The loops are then crimped closer together until they form a perfect circle, thus securing the cover and pages as an assembly, yet allowing them to open freely.

Saddle Stitching is one of the most popular bookbinding methods. This method is used for a variety of book types including catalogues, manuals, booklets, programs, multi-page brochures, price and part lists, newsletters, comic books, colouring books, magazines and periodicals, wall calendars, mailers, etc.

The Saddle Stitch bookbinding method uses wire staples to join the pages and cover at the spine. The staples pass through the spine's folded crease from the outside and are clinched between the centremost pages. Two staples are commonly used but larger books may require more staples along the spine. Though relatively simple, the result is a very professional looking document.

Spiral Binding and Coil Binding are interchangeable terms for the same book binding method. This popular method joins the pages and cover of a book using a durable plastic coil. The coil is inserted and twisted through small holes punched along the spinal edge of the book's cover and pages.

One of the primary benefits of a spiral bound book is that the pages can be opened a full 360 degrees (cover to cover). This allows an open book to fold back upon itself and yet still remain flat, so it stays open for easy reference and yet takes up minimal room on a desk or table.

Spiral binding is an excellent choice for reports, sales presentations, proposals, directories, cookbooks, instruction manuals and maintenance guides. Atlases and travel guides are also commonly spiral bound because they are easier to manage when traveling.

Foil printing is a speciality printing process which uses heat, pressure and metallic paper (foil). This is used to create different shiny designs and graphics on various materials. Foil printing gives the focus area an incredible look and is quickly becoming the preferred method of printing in many industries.

So, this technique is an application of metallic or pigmented foil on to a solid surface by applying a heated die on to the foil. This makes it permanently stick to the surface below which leaves the design of the die, regardless of whether it’s a small, intricate design or a larger surface area.

The unique thing about foil printing is that they come in a wide selection of colours and finishes. Although the most popular colours are clearly gold and silver foils, they also come in many other colours and effects, such as holographic and pearlescent which all help to replicate the look of precious metals.

In the printing industry, Embossing refers to a method of pressing an image into paper or cardstock to create a three-dimensional design. Text, logos and other images can all be formed by the embossing method. Embossing results in a raised surface, with the design higher than the surrounding paper area. A similar but less common technique is Debossing. Debossing results in a depressed surface, with the design lower than the surrounding paper area.

The Process.
The embossing and debossing procedures involve the use of two metal dies – one has a raised surface on it and the other has a mating surface recessed into it. The two dies fit into one another. A paper sheet is placed between the two dies and then heat and pressure are applied to squeeze the raised die into the recessed die. Similar to being pressed by an iron, the paper fibres permanently reshape to take on the intended design.

Practical Applications.
Embossing provides a look of high quality and elegance, so you will often see embossing on pieces that aim to impress – presentation folders, business cards, invitations, certificates, brochure covers. Embossing can create further distinction when used in conjunction with metallic foil or a spot UV coating. The image area can also be pre-printed before being embossed to provide an interesting 3D effect.

What is Blind Embossing?
It is very common for a design to be embossed without using any printing or foiling in the design. This is known as Blind Embossing. In lieu of ink or foil, the embossing process alone creates the text or design on the paper. A very simple example of blind embossing is the seal applied to documents by a Public Notary.
Textured paper is commonly used for Blind Embossing because the process not only raises the design, it also provides the option of pressing the paper smooth where it is embossed. This provides additional contrast against the textured area surrounding the embossed design.

Debossing is the opposite of embossing. Debossing is when an image (logo, text, etc.) is imprinted into your print piece, creating a depressed effect. Just like embossing, you can choose to leave the debossed area untouched or fill it in with ink or foil stamping.

Unlike embossing, debossing doesn't interfere with the back of your print piece, giving you both sides to work with. It can be used on its own, or in conjunction with embossing.

In the world of printing, a Die refers to a thin, razor-sharp steel blade that has been formed into a specific shape or pattern (sort of like a heavy-duty cookie-cutter). Consequently, Die-Cutting refers to the act of using this sharp die to cut paper, cardstock, label stock, or other substrates into various shapes.

Just like the printing process, die-cutting is an automated operation. This allows multiple pieces of the same shape to be created in an efficient and uniform manner. Also, most printers have a selection of standard dies readily available for common cuts and shapes. However, custom dies must usually be created for any special designs.
Die-cutting is as versatile as your imagination. A die can be used to shape the entire perimeter of a printed piece, or it can be used to just shape one corner or an edge. A die can also cut out a shape or shapes from within the centre of a piece.

In addition to cutting all the way through a printed piece, a die can be designed so that it cuts a perforated outline of a shape. Known as Perforated Die-Cutting, this allows the perforated shape – such as an ID card or coupon – to be easily removed by the consumer for use.

Die-Cutting for Promotional Purposes
It’s no secret that most print matter has a relatively routine appearance…being either rectangular or square in shape. Die-cutting offers a way to break this routine by creating interesting shapes, contours, flaps, holes, etc. thereby enhancing the visual appeal and attracting attention. This makes die-cutting a popular choice for printed pieces used in the promotion of a product or business.
For example, a brochure could have a window, a name or logo, or another interesting design cut from its cover or pages. Similarly, a presentation folder could be made with uniquely sculpted edges and pockets. Also, promotional labels, magnets and business cards are commonly created with rounded corners, or in a variety of geometric and custom shapes.

Die-Cutting for Functionality
In addition to promotional purposes, die-cutting is also used to make a printed piece more functional. For example, a door hanger must have a hole or hook cut into it so it can hang from a doorknob. A mailing envelope often has a die-cut window so that an address or information printed on its contents remains visible once the envelope is sealed. Even the simple business card slits or tabs found in some brochures and pocket folders are created with a die-cutting operation.

Perforation is a process used in the printing industry to allow easy separation of two sections of the material, such as allowing paper to be torn easily along the line. Perforation is mostly used for loose-leaf coupons, calendars, postage stamps, leaflets and notepads. It can be used instead of creasing: perforation makes extra-thick materials to be folded in a straight manner with no paper cracks.

Types of perforation:

Impact perforation
Micro-perforation
Segment rotary perforation
Tear-off corners perforation and grooving

Perforation technology
The perforation is applied using special equipment and specific perforating rules or replaceable disk knives.
Folding machines are often used with disk knives attached in order to perforate material that moves along the machine table.
Pressing equipment is used to create combined perforation lines whose direction depends on location of perforating rules.
Even the smallest details are of great importance in perforation process: holes must be exactly perforated, edges must be smooth, while perforated elements should be properly removed from the product.

In printing, the term “Drilling” refers to the process of creating round holes in paper using a rotating bit.

Manual Punching vs Automated Drilling
Unlike a manual punch, which presses holes through one or a few sheets of paper, the drilling operation uses a specialized machine with sharp hollow bits to bore through thick stacks of paper.

A paper drill produces very clean and precisely-placed holes. Also, drilling saves valuable time because it can penetrate through hundreds of sheets at once. It can also be set up to create multiple holes in one pass.

Paper Drilling Applications
There are many print projects which require the addition of round holes. The most common application is the holes drilled through the sheets, dividers and other inserts that get placed into a ringed binder, such as the popular 3-ring binder.

Another example is the hole (or holes) drilled through a wall calendar or tag so it can be hung. Also, laminated operating instructions are commonly hole-drilled so they can be suspended from machinery or equipment via a ring, hook or chain.

In addition, perfect-bound and saddle-stitched books – such as manuals and catalogues – are sometimes drilled with multiple holes near the spine for insertion into a binder or fixture.

UV Coating is a tough clear-coat applied over printed matter. It is applied in liquid form, then exposed to Ultra-Violet (UV) light which bonds and dries it instantly…hence its name “UV Coating.”

Spot UV refers to the application of this UV Coating to a specific area (or areas) of a printed piece rather than coating the entire surface. Used primarily as a design technique, Spot UV is a creative way to add depth and contrast through varying levels of sheen and texture.

Because the Spot UV technique creates a very distinctive look, it is most often used on pieces that are promotional in nature…such as brochures and presentation folders. It is also a popular choice for high-impact business cards and book covers.

Spot UV can be applied over inked images to enhance a printed design. Or, it can be applied directly to the paper substrate to create the design by itself, without the use of any ink. If applied directly to the paper, Spot UV offers the best contrast when applied over a darker substrate. In fact, a very popular finish combination is a high-gloss Spot UV over a dark, matte stock.

Spot UV is the ultimate in deluxe printing techniques; it provides a unique and exceptional way to introduce yourself and is the perfect way to make a lasting impression. With the high clarity and eye-catching varnish, pairing the Spot UV with a Matt Lamination will add real contrast and depth to your design as well as receiving another boost of durability from the lamination process. The thick UV varnish will also give a smooth but tactile quality to the products.

Hand finishing means completing a job to the client’s requirements. It includes packing, assembling, attaching, inserting, collating and gluing.

Some Hand Finishing options:

Bagging
CD Collation and insertion into Sleeves or Cases
Collating
Double Sided Taping
Drilling
Envelope Counting
Glue Dots
Inserting
Mailing – Mailsort admin and Postal Docket Management

Make-up Folders with Tuck-in Flaps or Glue flaps. With Capacity or Without Capacity.
Pick & Pack
Pop-Ups
Spot Glued Insertions and items on Covers
Sticker Application
Taping
Tent Cards
Wobblers