Glue Binding: Full Process Implementation for Perfect Binding Books

Posted on 05-14-2024 by

Cover Tape

For the cover, it is permissible to apply tape along the entire length from top to bottom. If the book spine length is 11 1/2 inches (292.1 mm), then the cover length should be at least 11 3/4 inches (298.4 mm). Position the center, allowing for 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) overhang at the head and tail. When the cover matches the book spine size, the perfect binding operator must use a mechanical timed scraper when gluing the book and the side edge to prevent glue from flowing out on the working wheel during operation, which would slow down production speed and quality.

Perfect Binding Cover Design Instructions

Ensure the spine is as parallel to the direction of the book as possible;

To obtain high-quality products, make book creases on the die-cutting machine;

For thin books, avoid using thick covers (≥10pt);

Ink, varnish, and UV coatings on the inner front cover should not enter the book crease area, and should be at least 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) away from the spine;

Keep ink and layers away from the edge of the spine;

Print machine gripper and side guide marks are required on the cover proofs.

Book Spine Preparation

Punch holes in the spine and head of the book to release trapped air between the pages. Then, the pressure plate squeezes these covers together as tightly as possible. This is important for stacking covers. Do not cross the covers in the opposite direction during continuous paper feeding; they should be placed in the same direction. Use molds with opposite curvatures (e.g., concave and convex) to work on one book together. Good perfect binding requires the book to be tightly clamped together before gluing the cover and through embossing and glue wheels. If not tightly clamped, the glue may spread between the covers. Once the covers are opened, there may be problems if they do not match the usual habit.

Insert Folding Pages

For folding pages, half-fold, roll-fold, etc., the requirement for trimming blank areas is 1/8 inch (3.2 mm), so folding pages do not need to be glued, and a 1/8 inch margin should be given, so these pages cannot align with the entire book page. If the margin is too small, it will limit the ability of perfect binding personnel to operate, such as difficulties in cross-page positioning. Similarly, for the bottom of the inner seal of the bound booklet, a 1/8 inch margin should be left for the head, tail, and blank area of the layout. This can be confirmed with the binder to ensure that all folded pages in the booklet have the correct dimensions.

Die-Cutting

Using the die-cutting method can accurately determine the size of the book.

Auxiliary Equipment

DuPont's FoldoutMylar? equipment, which has the function of marking labels between covers, but the use of this equipment will increase the cost of perfect bound products. And this staggered labeling looks interesting. This machine only applies marks between covers and does not print marks on covers and single-page sheets. Try to use multiple post-press processing functions (such as die-cutting, hot stamping, marking, and shrink wrapping) on bound items, so that the work process will be more coordinated and easier to control.

Shrink Wrapping

Do not be frugal with small matters and waste with big ones. Compression packaging can be used for books to prevent confusion. If there are only a few items that require refined packaging, compressing the packaging to the smallest investment may be the safest option.