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Topic 3 · Binding and page count
Types of binding: overview
The short answerMCRL offers board book binding, perfect-sewn, saddle stitch, Smyth sewn (casebound), Wire-O, concealed Wire-O and spiral (coil) binding. Here is what each one is and what it suits.
The details
All things being equal, Smyth sewn tends to be more affordable than Wire-O, and Wire-O typically costs a little less than spiral.
| Binding | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Board book | Not technically binding: each set of 2 pages is printed, cut and glued to paperboard, and the cover paper is wrapped and glued around the body. | Board books. Typically 12 to 24 pages, though they can be fewer or more. |
| Perfect-sewn | Softcover. Pages are folded, gathered, sewn and glued into a cover to form a squared-off spine. Not the same as "perfect bound" (glued only, no sewing), which MCRL does not offer. | Graphic novels, trade paperbacks, softcover children's books and colouring books. 48 pages minimum, divisible by 4. |
| Saddle stitch | Pages are gathered together, folded and stapled along the crease. | Readers, booklets and paperback books with less than 80 pages. |
| Smyth sewn (casebound) | Hardcover. Wraps completely around the book block and allows a printable spine. Durable. | Hardcover books, sketchbooks, planners and journals. Page count must be a multiple of 4: about 16 pages for a children's book, 100 to 300 for a journal or planner. |
| Concealed Wire-O | Like Wire-O, but the wire is concealed so it is not seen on the spine. | Text or graphics on the spine, similar to a casebound book. |
| Wire-O | Also called Twin Loop, Double-Loop, Double-O, Duo-Wire or Wire Binding. Sophisticated and professional-looking, in metallic and custom colours. | Journals and planners under 250 pages. |
| Spiral (coil) | A continuous, very durable plastic or metal coil. Opens 360 degrees and lies flat. | Journals and planners, including planners that hang on a wall. All page counts, and recommended for journals and planners over 250 pages. Tab sheets work best with spiral. |
Did you know?
For Wire-O and spiral, the book block is first trimmed on all four sides, then holes are drilled along one side and the pages are secured by a clamped wire or a threaded spiral. Because they are not stapled or sewn through the fold, they don't follow the multiple-of-4 rule: your page count can be any increment of 2.
More on mcrlprinting.com: Bindings →
Common questions
Which binding costs the least?
All things being equal, Smyth sewn tends to cost a little less than Wire-O. Wire-O is often a little less than spiral. Page count, trim size and quantity all shift the comparison, so it is worth quoting the options side by side.
Which bindings let me print on the spine?
Smyth sewn (casebound) books have a true spine, so your title is visible. Concealed Wire-O also allows text and graphics on the spine, but standard Wire-O and spiral have no flat spine to print on.
Which binding is best for a planner that needs to lie flat?
Smyth-sewn, spiral and Wire-O are all good options. Wire-O and spiral open flat and can fold back on itself, which suits planners intended to hang on a wall.
Keep exploring
Still deciding?
Our print team will talk it through with you, or get an instant quote.
Our print team will talk it through with you, or get an instant quote.
