A
A-7
Basics of Imposition
Binding methods
A book layout also specifies the means by which sheets are gathered and bound.
Stitching or stapling finished pages across a common center fold, or spine, is called
saddle stitch binding, and the stitched pages are called a saddle. Multiple folded sheets
can be stitched into the same saddle as a group. Stacking signatures, grinding the
spines off, and then gluing them together is called perfect binding. You can combine
saddle stitch and perfect binding methods by stacking two or more groups one on top
of another on a common fold line and gluing them together; this is called a nested
saddle.
The binding method you use affects the order in which pages are placed on the sheet;
for example, the page ordering used to perfect bind a book must be different from that
used to saddle stitch the same job. Thus, your layout must specify the method by
which the finished job will be bound.
The choice of a binding method is determined by the job’s size, complexity, and
budget. Saddle stitch binding is very cost-efficient, but is more suitable for small
booklets than for large jobs. (A rule of thumb is that saddle stitch binding works best
for booklets or brochures with a maximum of 88 pages.) Conversely, perfect binding is
more expensive but more suitable for larger jobs.
Saddle
Nested Saddle
Perfect
