Our new perfect binder has the capability to produce a bound edge up to 2” wide and 17” long. Our unit cycles at up to 300 books per hour so we can make quick work of your short and long run needs for perfect bound publications. Perfect binding is a relatively simple process. The perfect binding machine collates the various signatures that make up the text of the book, then clamps the text just above the spine. The collated text passes over a saw which cuts off about 1/8" from the spine of each signature. This ensures that each page will contact the hot, viscous glue which is applied next. Glue is applied to the entire spine of the book, and also about 1/8" up the front and back. This "side glue" helps keep the cover closed, and hides the roughened binding edge of the pages from view. While the glue is still hot, a heavy paper cover is fed from a hopper and aligned with the text. As the cover feeds it is scored for both the spine folds/corners and the hinges. The hinge score is used in conjunction with the side glue to allow the cover to open freely. The cover is aligned exactly with the text and pressed onto the sticky glue which begins to cool and harden immediately; within a few minutes books are ready to trim on three sides and ship. When economy is foremost, perfect binding is a simple and inexpensive way to bind books. Our large automated binder with inline collator and knife trimmer maximizes efficiency and produces books at the lowest possible cost. We can handle books many binderies can't---up to 2" thick and as thin as 1/8" or less, and from 17" high down to 5". Preventing the Imperfect: Preparing Work For Perfect Binding Few things are more disheartening to a trade bindery than unpacking a perfect binding job fresh from the printer, and having to call and explain why the beautiful six-color cover, with UV coating, is unusable. This happens more often than you might think, and is especially tragic when you remember that the information printers and prepress departments need to properly set up work for perfect binding is readily available. The following guidelines should prevent imperfect perfect binding. Preparing Text Signatures for perfect bound books need overwork on all four sides of the page, for grind off and trim. The usual amount ground off at the spine by the perfect binder's saw is 1/8"; Trims of at least 1/8" are required at the head (top), foot (bottom), and fore (outside) edges of each page as well. These trim/grind off requirements also apply to single sheets such as Digital Copier work. Many machines have a maximum trim in addition to this minimum--check with your bindery before you buy the wrong size paper. Perforation is preferred at the spine fold of each signature, and is acceptable on other folds since they will all trim off. The spine fold should always be the last fold in the signature. Do not impose smaller signatures (like 4's and 8's) at the front or back of the book if possible--put them inside, with a 16 or other larger sig on the outside. We can give you information on the minimum and maximum size and thickness book our machinery can handle. We can also tell you how many signatures their in-line collator/feeder will accept. Knowing ahead of time that 15 signatures will all fit in the automatic pockets--but that the 16th needs to be hand fed--can save thousands of dollars. Uncoated stock is preferred for perfect bound books, though PUR and other modern adhesives have reduced the glue adhesion problems associated with coated stock. Coated stock can be used very successfully. Paper grain should run with the final fold if at all possible; cross grain stock can sometimes result in wavy text pages and problems with glue adhesion. Ask us how many covers they need in order to guarantee your desired count--they may require as many as 200 copies minimum to set up with, and up to 10% run waste for small jobs. Remember to check with us if there are any tabs, flaps, reply cards, foldouts, etc. as these can significantly change requirements and therefore price. Covers The most common problem seen with perfect bound covers is inadequate glue catcher area. When books run through the perfect binder, the spine area of the text block is covered with glue to attach it to the cover. The cover therefore needs to be longer than the untrimmed signatures at both the head and foot to prevent sticky glue from squeezing out and fouling the next book. Machine requirements differ, but allowing for 3/8" head and foot over and above the size of the folded signatures should be enough. Most binderies prefer to cut covers to fit their machinery. When covers are printed on the inside--the side the glue will adhere to--it is important that ink, varnish, and other coatings be left off the glue area. This includes side glue as well as the spine. Proper grain direction on cover stock is very important; the thicker the stock the more important it is. Grain should always run parallel with the spine. Perfect Binding is a great alternative to may types of binding. Call us to discuss how Perfect Binding can work for you. We look forward to working with you on your next perfect binding job! Call Mike Burnett at: 423.499.0510 or 706.638.2190 for more information and your next perfect binding quote. or email to: mailto:mburnett@divdigital.com Copyright (c) 2003, Diversified Companies, LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved This site proudly designed, hosted, & maintained by Networks, Inc. This site is best viewed with Internet Explorer 6.