THIS MONTH'S TOPIC: PERFECT BINDING LAYOUT TIPS

A classic look and economical binding style, perfect binding is a versatile option that lends itself easily to a number of different formats. A process of gathering signatures and attaching them to a cover piece with hot-melt glue, perfect binding is ideal for cookbooks, manuals, annual reports and much more. Let's take a look at a few guidelines to delivering a high-quality perfect bound piece:

For perfect binding cover layouts, include a margin of 1/8" at the head and foot for the glue trap, or the area where excess glue can be caught during the binding process.

Don't Get Stuck-Add a Trap
For perfect binding cover layouts, include a margin of 1/8" at the head and foot for the glue trap, or the area where excess glue can be caught during the binding process. Without this margin, glue may seep into machine parts and onto subsequent books during the binding process. This can not only reduce project turnaround, it can possibly ruin product during machine binding.

Make Way for the Spine
Though a great advantage of perfect-bound books is the ability to print on the outside of the spine, the spine area on the signatures must be clear for the book to be produced properly. Maintain a margin of 1/4" on either side of the book spine for hinge scores, otherwise text or images placed in this area may be obscured. Similarly, keep the spine area free of by knocking out all inks and coatings. These can weaken the adhesive and deliver an inferior product.

Never 'Just a Trim'
Trim margins on the head, foot and face of your perfect bound project must measure at least 1/8" to ensure accurate sizing of your pieces. We're able to work with smaller margins for smaller format pieces, but ample trim is essential to deliver products with your exact size requirements. Be sure the trim margins of the cover matches the trim of text signatures. If these measurements aren't exact matches, production can be delayed and costs may increase.

Production tip: Bulking dummies, or production mock-ups of the final product, can not only help determine exact cover measurements, it can also shed light on any problems or issues that may appear during binding. Remember to use the same stock and adhesives planned for the binding process; otherwise your measurements may be inaccurate.

The Eckhart Advantage
Eckhart & Company installed a high-speed, 6M book/hr Kolbus Ratiobinder in early 2004 to deliver the highest quality perfect binding available anywhere. In addition, Eckhart & Company provides a wide range of binding and finishing solutions, including mechanical binding and information packaging services. For post press processes from concept to completion, rely on Eckhart & Company as your finishing services provider.

Back Issues:

• October 2004 - Plastic Spiral Binding

• September 2004 - Spiral Wire Binding

• August 2004  Take Advantage of Wire-O Binding

• July 2004  Cased-In Wire-O

• June 2004  Quality Mechanical Binding Starts at the Punch

• May 2004  Fully Concealed Wire-O Covers

• April 2004  Turn Your Mechanically Bound Book Into a Display Piece

• March 2004  Large Diameter Spiral Wire Binding

• February 2004  Perfect Binding

• January 2004  Our Capabilities

• December 2003  Turned Edge Advantages

• November 2003  Semi-Concealed Wire-O

• October 2003  The Advantages of UV Coating

• September 2003  Mechanical Binding Inserts

• August 2003  The Advantages of Prototypes

• July 2003  Calendars

• June 2003  Index Tabbing

• May 2003  Plastic Comb Binding

• April 2003  Mechanical Binding Options

• March 2003  News From BookTech

• February 2003  Plastic Spiral Binding

• January 2003  Serving Our Customers

• December 2002  Wire-O Covers

• November, 2002 Spiral Wire Production

• October, 2002 Wire-O Binding

• September, 2002 Mechanical Binding Basics

• August, 2002 Cased-In Wire-O