Tips for Binding a Family History

By Michael R. Smith of San Val Inc.
January 2003

Ask many people what makes a book and they may suggest that it’s a cover wrapped around pages of paper. What’s missing in that definition is perhaps the most important element: the binding that holds the cover and pages to each other. The binding is literally the backbone of any volume, yet it may often be the least considered decision a self-publisher makes in the production process.

The binding is simply explained as the glue or thread that joins the book block (the pages) and the cover. There are many ways to bind a manuscript. Order quantity, cost, use, durability, and aesthetics are all considerations in determining the correct binding type. If you leave the bookbinding decision to your printers, they may choose the method they have available or the one most profitable to them. Knowing bookbinding methods and purposes for genealogies, personal histories, and memoirs allows you to select the type that is best for your project.

Enter the Digital Revolution

Just a few years ago small publishers and individuals had little choice over how their manuscripts were bound. The need to produce relatively small quantities—in publishing terms, from one to 100 copies—limited choice to what a printer provided, which might mean a taped, stapled, or other type of quick (and usually not very sturdy) binding. However, around the turn of the century—the 21st century—new digital printing methods opened opportunities to produce ultra-short-run projects. High-quality books are now printed at acceptable costs for very few copies. The popular response has demanded that bookbinding methods keep pace with these new opportunities. Although bookbinding choices now abound, mechanical, paperback, and hardcover methods are the favorites for genealogists, personal historians and self-publishers. (In this discussion, “mechanical” means wiro, spiral or comb bindings; “paperback” means either perfect or saddle-stitch bindings; and “case binding” is used to mean hardcover binding.)

Mechanical Binding

In mechanical binding, holes are cut in the pages and a metal binder (wiro binding), plastic coil (spiral binding) or nylon “comb” (comb-binding) is inserted to join the pages and cover. Covers are paper or plastic.

Perfect Bound

Recent multifunction digital systems offer capabilities to print and “perfect bind” or “saddle stitch” paperbacks in one process. Many trade books are perfect bound when the book block moves across a roller that applies glue to the page edges. The pages are glued to the cover when it is wrapped around the block. Saddle stitching means stapling, which can be done if the book is no thicker than about 80 pages. Printed sheets are folded inside the cover and the book is stapled in the fold.

Case Binding

Case binding is another name for hardcover binding. It is usually more durable than mechanical or paperback bindings. Though it is often more expensive than paperback binding, it can be competitive on a per-unit basis with mechanical bindings. Because case binding is more complex, commercial binderies or printers that offer case binding may require an order for several thousand books to cover labor costs for setting up bindery equipment to accept your job. However, some companies specialize in producing small-quantity hardcover orders at reasonable prices. These “library binders,” like San Val Inc., in St. Louis, originally rebound worn books, converted paperbacks into hardbacks, and reinforced publishers’ original bindings for library and school use. San Val and similar binders can handle small orders: one book, a dozen, several hundred or thousands of copies. This ability fits perfectly for individuals, small publishers and others who need a small number of books case bound.

Library Binders

Library binders use the double-fan adhesive or sewn binding methods that are long lasting and durable. Double-fan adhesive glues one page to the next. Fabric surrounds the adhesive for additional strength and provides lay-flat flexibility without page loss. A sewn binding may be substituted to achieve the best-quality binding. Foil-stamped fabric material, or a laminated illustrated sheet, is wrapped around thick cardboard, called “binders board” or simply “board,” to create the hardback cover. Heavier pages called end sheets that were placed before and after the book block join it to the cover. (Look at any hardcover book and you’ll notice variations of this basic binding process.)

Choosing the Best Binding

With so many bookbinding options, how do you select the best for your project? Order quantity and binding type both substantially influence cost. On the surface, cost is easy to describe and understand: It’s the financial amount you pay for your order of books.

Generally speaking, perfect or saddle-stitched bindings have the lowest per-unit cost. Because producing more copies may be necessary to obtain that benefit, you are encouraged to print a sufficient quantity the first time: Ordering a few more copies later can produce a higher per-unit price and negate the low cost of your initial order.

Mechanical bindings have a higher per-unit cost, but you may produce a few books now and come back later for more if necessary because the cost difference is minimal. With companies like San Val Inc., case binding can be ordered for one or more copies and—as with mechanical binding—you can come back later for more copies with little or no change in price.

Pros and Cons

The less obvious understanding about cost is what it costs if the wrong binding is selected and the volume isn’t as useful as you’d hoped or expected. The binding holds the book together and if a volume isn’t useful or must be destroyed because it’s fallen apart, then the money you paid for the binding is lost. Also, you may have additional financial cost to restore the book to usability. This leads to a likely emotional cost. When considering the financial cost, the number of copies you need and the way the book will be used help determine the correct binding.

Use is determined by why and for whom the book is being published. Personal histories, memoirs and genealogies are references published for the immediate or extended family members and their friends. They can be a textual or photographic story or combination of the two. Paperback bindings can be satisfactory for small and medium-sized volumes on medium-weight paper. A thin book of family anecdotes might be saddle-stitched, for example. A title that is interactive—a book of family recipes—or is intended to be updated (such as a genealogy or journal) is nice in a lay-flat binding. Ability to lay-flat is a strong feature of mechanical bindings. Double-fan adhesive hardbound books also lay flat. Hardcover books also contain the inherent value of being considered better as gifts. Family histories and memoirs are usually cherished items: hardbacks often convey the gift nature of a title better than other bindings. Think about the purpose of your book. Knowing how it will be used also helps develop an idea about which binding durability you will need.

Durability

Mechanical bindings often have the lowest durability because pages can easily wear or tear from the metal or plastic binding materials. Paperback bindings may last longer but pages eventually seem to detach from the book with repeated or careless use because the small amount of glue on the page edge is the only thing attaching it to the cover. Case binding protects the pages but the double-fan adhesive or sewn bindings offer long-term strength—which is why librarians and institutional users prefer these hardcover books. (San Val and some other binderies, for example, guarantee that their books will hold up for 10 years or more or are repaired free.)

Durability also is affected by the size of the volume. Thick or heavy books are probably not suitable for mechanical bindings because even a slight handling mistake can lead to torn pages. Sewing is a better binding for coated or glossy paper. Thick books put more stress on the binding. When you know roughly how many pages you’ll have, talk with your printer or binder about how your paper selection will influence the book weight. Size and weight influence durability and the binding choice.

Judging a Book by its Binding

The type of binding also conveys a message to the reader. Because people judge books by their covers, large trade publishers invest heavily to produce a book package that entices readers to pick it up. If the subject of your personal history or memoir is unique enough or has historical significance within a larger community, there may be retail (including direct mail) or library sales opportunities. The binding helps determine the sales potential and market. However, where sales are considered publishers and buyers have different needs. Publishers need to cover their costs and make a profit but still allow for 40 percent to 60 percent mark-ups; retailers want a competitively priced book that is sellable; and librarians want a book that will survive repeated use. In retail, paperbacks are often viewed as preferable because they’re priced lower than hardbacks. However, that paperback advantage for retail is a disadvantage for libraries where books get more use. It’s unacceptable for librarians when pages detach. Therefore, many libraries look for “library” or “reinforced” bindings. Companies that provide these bindings are members of the Library Binding Institute (www.lbibinders.org), which sets standards for the highest quality products.

Your hardback cover choice for small case-bound orders until recently was limited to fabric with the title and author’s name printed on it. To have more meant the binders glued an illustration to the fabric or reproduced a separate dust jacket that was wrapped around the cover. Today, digital printing makes it possible to print full-color sheets that are laminated and adhered to the cover board for a “large publisher” appearance. Illustrated covers—which may be printed in-house by the binder as part of the binding cost—create a more attractive cover and, thus, a more marketable book. Consider the appeal of the binding if you believe sales opportunities exist for your book.

Conclusion

The binding, remember, is the book. It not only holds the pages together but also is designed for a specific function and can influence emotions. In selecting a bookbinding style cost should not be your only concern. Nor should you allow printers to choose for you because they may recommend a binding that fits their needs. Consider how your book will be used and by whom. That helps determine whether yours is a volume that deserves long-lasting durability. If the book has sales potential, consider a binding that denotes value and invites a reader to pick it up. Considering each of these should guarantee that you choose the correct and most cost-effective bookbinding and remain satisfied with your choice for years to come.

You can reach  San Val, 1230 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, or call 314-647-0600, toll-free at 1-800-325-4465. The company website is at: www.sanval.com