Binding options for your printed manual

  • 2016-11-03
Manuals are a key form of Print communication for any product in your business. A well designed instruction manual enables hassle-free use of your product and can make a huge difference in turning customer complaints into compliments. With that being said, once you have designed your ideal manual, you would want to make sure it stays bound in one piece so that it can be used again. The type of binding is selected based on the function of the manual. Here are eight useful methods of binding to suit to consider before printing your manual:

  1. Saddle Stitching  This is the cheapest and most common binding method. It involves punching a wire through the spine of the manual, similar to stapling but more secure.

  2. Sewn Bound Similar to saddle stitching, but different in that a thread is used, a stitch is used to bind the manual together through the spine. This method allows you to add more pages without having to undo the binding.

  3. Stab/Side Stitched This method is also affordable and popular but involves punching the wire through the left edge of the front cover, through the inside pages and back cover.

  4. Screw Bound A stud or screw secures the manual after holes are drilled through the left margin. Similar to side stitching, but using a screw.

  5. Tape Bound An adhesive tale is used to secure the pages together. This method is usually used in conjunction with some form of stitching for additional strength

  6. Plastic Grip A 3-sided plastic spine is used to hold the manual in place.

  7. Spiral/Coil/Comb Bound This method uses a special punch that creates small rectangular holes along the left margin. After that, a round plastic or metal spine is inserted to secure the manual together.

  8. Perfect Bound This is the classic (and more expensive) method of binding. Pages are bonded together with glue and then usually secured with a wrap-around cover.


For a professional solution from one of the top companies in Brits and greater Johannesburg, contact Minuteman Press in Brits today for all your manual printing and binding needs as well as Graphic Design Services.
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