Zine binding methods

There are many different methods in which I can use to bind my zine together, and this is a subject that is very important when it comes to the development of the zine.
The binding is what holds the publication together, so because of this it is very important to choose a binding type that is both cost effective, as well as strong, and simple.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0xtBNFiKBR0/TGRm2boBQRI/AAAAAAAAAYM/
itHd3wrSQ9I/s1600/bookbinding+summer+'10+023.jpg<image reference at this link.

For example, there are several different kinds of binding styles that I can use.
Some of these include stitching, perfect binding, as well as using the method of staple binding in order to secure my zine together.

I have had some experience with binding in the past, for instance during both module 1, and 2, and examples of my experimentation can be found below.

My book of drawings in module 1.

My short story book in module 2.

As you can see in the examples featured above, I have worked with the binding techniques of stitching, and staple binding, and I found both to be a good way to hold the publications together.

I do have a bias toward staple binding, as it is a balance between the easiest, the quickest, the most cost effective, and also the most reliable way to bind a book in my opinion.

Despite my defence of staple binding, I want to still go over a few different types of binding, and I will decide at the end of the blog which method may offer the best way to hold together my zine.

Stitched Bind:

Stitching can be used as a means to bind together pages of a magazine, or book.
This type of binding involves the use of string, or thin thread, which when weaved through paper via a needle, allows for a secure hold.

I experimented with this style of binding during module 1, in which I assembled together a book of drawings using this technique.
I found this method to be strong, and very cheap however it took a while to do the book when compared to quicker methods, such as staple binding.

It was also a very fiddly process, and there was the risk of stabbing myself with the needle, something which I did on numerous occasions.

http://ezscrap.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/side-stitch_book_binding.jpg < image reference at this link.

Staple Bind:

Staple binding is one of the most secure, and easiest ways in which to keep a book held together.
This process involves the use of stapling together each page, which is good for books and publications with a limited number of pages, however at a certain point, the book will be unable to be bound by the use of stapling, as the staple can only punch through a limited number of sheets.

http://www.ripedigital.co.uk/images/squarebackexample.jpg < image reference at this link.

I have seen a lot of zines that have been bound using this technique, as it is very effective, and is cheap as most zines are made with cost and production in mind.
I want to look at a zine created by Mike, who is in my class, as he has used this technique of staple binding for his publication.

As you can see, the two staples hold the booklet together perfectly, and is enough to stop the zine from falling apart.

Perfect Bind:

Perfect binding is by far the most complex, and perhaps the longest to achieve.
The method of perfect binding uses adhesive in order to bind pages together, which are bound at the spine.
This method is used very commonly in a lot of professionally published books, which are usually found in book stores.

http://www.bakertrade.co.uk/slide_image/perfect_binding_2.png < image reference at this link.

The photo above shows off this method of binding really well, and you can clearly see the bounding method at the spine.

There are a number of benefits to this type of binding, which includes the following.

• Cheaper to produce than hardback
• Stacks well
• Allows for additional information to be located on the flat spine.
• Perhaps look more professional.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I have deiced that I want to go down the route of using the staple binding technique in order to secure my zine together.

I have used this method before, and it has been very effective. It is also the method that takes the least amount of time to bind, and is a clean way of binding as well.
Importantly, it is very cheap, and that is a factor that is very important to me, as an illustrator on a limited income.
It is, for the reasons of these points, the chosen method of binding that I feel the most comfortable with using for my zine.




http://printwiki.org/Perfect_Binding
http://formaxprinting.com/blog/2010/02/18/book-printing-lingo-what-does-“perfect-binding”-mean/

Thomas.