Quick answer
Saddle stitching (staples) suits thinner brochures and needs multiples of four pages. Perfect binding gives a square, glued spine for thicker documents. Wire binding lets a document lie flat, which suits manuals and workbooks.
Binding methods compared
| Binding | Best for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Saddle stitched | Brochures, programmes, magazines | Page count in multiples of four; practical maximum depends on paper |
| Perfect bound | Catalogues, books, thicker reports | Square spine can carry text; doesn't lie flat |
| Wire bound | Manuals, workbooks, reports | Lies flat and folds back on itself |
| Case bound (hardback) | Books, premium publications | Most durable, longer to produce |
Choosing by page count
As a rule of thumb, thinner documents suit saddle stitching and thicker documents suit perfect or wire binding. Paper thickness matters, so suppliers confirm what's suitable when quoting.
This guide gives general information about commercial printing. Specifications and availability vary between production partners; we'll confirm the details for your project in your quotation. Request a quote.
