What is Saddle Stitched?
Saddle stitch is the most popular binding option for durability, cost, and professionalism. If you are printing a book, brochure, calendar, program, or magazine saddle stitch binding is reliable and accomplished. Our blog covers what it is, page count, design setup, and when to use saddle stitch.
Saddle stitch binding is also called staple binding and it is where collated (in order) sheets are folded and stapled at the crease. This name comes from the process, during which the document is draped over a saddle shaped metal support when everything is bound with staples.
Saddle stitch opens with no spine tension which helps make it lay completely flat. The staples are barely noticeable, unlike spiral or wire-o.
Saddle stitch is also called saddle stitched, saddle stitching, saddle stapled, or center stitch binding. All of these terms refer to the same binding method.
Pages in Saddle-Stitched Booklets
When we saddle-stitch a document the page count has to be evenly divisible by four. In the image below there are two sheets of paper. One sheet is stacked on top of the second sheet and then they are stapled in the middle and folded together. You can see that this causes a total of eight pages.
It’s important to remember that when you have a product saddle-stitched the page count must be evenly divisible by four.
Saddle stitch binding is an ideal and economical choice for booklets with smaller page counts. We also recommend saddle stitch for publications with less than 92 pages. For page counts over 92 pages, we recommend perfect bound booklet printing. Saddle stitch booklets are great because they will lay flat and stay open when you are flipping through the pages, making it easier to read. Saddle stitch is our most popular binding type and offers the quickest turnaround time with the most affordable and cost-effective pricing.
Instant Saddle Stitch Pricing: Learn More
Instant Perfect Bound Pricing: Learn More
How Many Pages Do You Need for Saddle Stitch?
Saddle stitch binding requires that any publication has a minimum of eight pages, four pages per spread and up to 92 total pages. Saddle stitch documents need to be built in page multiples of 4 pages (8, 12, 16, etc.) because they are printed on sheets that are folded in half.
See below for a more in-depth explanation on how sheets become pages.
How you number your pages depends on the final page count. For example, in an 8-page booklet, the front cover is considered page 1 and the back of that page will be page 2 (inside front cover). The inside pages will continue in order like the diagram below as 3, 4, 5, 6 and so on. The last 2 pages will be your inside back cover (page 7) and the back cover (page 8). You can get pricing on your saddle stitch booklet by visiting our website.
As mentioned above, the saddle stitch method requires that a booklet be printed out on large sheets of paper and then folded in half. Each sheet of paper will contain 4 of the booklet’s pages.
If you are printing an 8.5” x 11” saddle stitch book, its’ pages and cover would be made from 17” x 11” sheets that are folded in half to the size of 8.5” x 11”.
First, let’s start with a single sheet of paper. It has 2 sides – a front side and a back side. Once the sheet gets folded in half, it will have 4 sides (or 4 pages). The number of sheets will depend on the final page count of the booklet.
Usually, any page count of 48 or less is considered a booklet and any job over 48 pages (with a maximum size of 92) would be considered a book. If your publication is larger than 92 pages, consider our other affordable binding options! Our most popular binding type for larger page counts is perfect binding (28 pages – 2” thick).
Is Saddle Stitch the Same as Staple Binding?
Yes. Saddle stitch binding uses staples and is the same as staple binding
Saddle Stitch vs Other Binding Types
Here is a comparison of all the binding options we offer compared with saddle stitch binding from PrintingCenterUSA.
Saddle Stitch vs Perfect Binding
Saddle stitch is more affordable, shorter in length (up to 92 pages), and lays flat when open. Perfect binding has a square spine and can have up to 400 pages.
Saddle Stitch vs Spiral Binding
Saddle stitch is great for one time distributions like programs or brochures because it lays flat but spiral binding can go even further with 360-degree rotation on pages. If you are handling this book a lot you should select spiral.
Saddle Stitch vs Wire-O Binding
Saddle stitch is affordable and only has two staples while wire-o is a bit more costly. However wire-o, like spiral, rotates 360-degrees and gives a professional appearance.
Saddle Stitch vs. Hardcover Binding
Hardcover is another popular option here at PrintingCenterUSA but it is quite different than saddle stitch. At a higher price point but also higher page count, hardcover has a cardboard like spine and cover that makes a solid casing for your books. Equally useful, saddle stitch will be ideal when your book is a one time use or holds less value than a piece bound with hardcover binding.
Does saddle stitch work for novels and textbooks?
Not usually. Spines are important to novels and textbooks which makes perfect binding or hard cover binding the best options.
Popular Saddle Stitch Products
Because it is fast to print and affordable with a clean appearance, saddle stitch is used for a lot of different types of books in a variety of industries.
Booklets and brochures are most common because they offer shorter runs and page counts with professional style without the expense of perfect or hardcover binding.
Magazines and newsletters really well because they lay flat and the staples don’t take away from the piece.
Event programs including sports programs, dance recital programs, concert programs, and graduation programs are best bound with saddle stitch because the binding is affordable for large quantities and the format lays flat during the event while guests flip through.
Catalogs with smaller product lines or special offers are perfect for saddle stitches lower page count and cost efficiency.
Calendars with saddle stitch binding are the best. It’s what you imagine when you think of a calendar at the store or on a wall. Spiral and wire-o binding is also popular if you are looking for a perfect lay flat look to your calendar.
Zines, lookbooks, and independent publications frequently use saddle stitch. They give the DIY look and the binding is very affordable while still maintaining the published aesthetic.
Saddle Stitch Design Tips
Setting up your file correctly before you design prevents the most common production delays. Here is what to get right from the start.
Your bleed should be set to 0.125 inches on all sides. Any background color or image intended to run to the edge of the page must extend beyond the trim line by 0.125 inches.
Keep all important content including text and logos at least 0.125 inches inside the trim line in the safe zone.
Save your file as a single-page PDF in consecutive order. Do not upload spreads. The cover counts as pages 1 and 2 (front cover and inside front cover) and the back counts as the final two pages (inside back cover and back cover).
Set your color mode to CMYK before designing. RGB color mode produces unpredictable color shifts in print.
All images should be at least 300 DPI. Web images at 72 DPI will print blurry.
PrintingCenterUSA offers free downloadable Adobe templates for saddle stitch booklets in every standard size with bleed, trim, and safe zones already configured. The free saddle stitch booklet template is also available through the pricing tool customized to your exact specs. Every file submitted goes through the automated 43-point inspection before production begins. Try out our free online design tool or skip the design and find a designer!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is saddle stitch binding?
Saddle stitch binding is a binding method where sheets of paper are collated, folded in half, and stapled through the spine. It is the most popular and most affordable binding type at PrintingCenterUSA. Also called saddle stitching, saddle stapling, or center stitch binding.
What does saddle stitched mean?
Saddle stitched means the booklet or publication has been bound by folding sheets of paper in half and stapling through the centerfold. The staples are placed along the spine and are barely visible in the finished product.
Is saddle stitch the same as staple?
Yes. Saddle stitch uses metal staples placed through the centerfold of the document. The difference from standard edge stapling is that the staples go through the fold rather than the corner or edge.
What does saddle stapled mean?
Saddle stapled is another term for saddle stitch binding. Both describe the same process of folding and stapling sheets through the spine.
How many pages can be saddle stitched?
Saddle stitch binding accommodates a minimum of 8 pages and a maximum of 92 pages. Page counts must be in multiples of four.
Which page count is best for saddle stitch binding?
For most booklets and brochures, 16 to 48 pages is the ideal range. For magazines and programs, 32 to 64 pages works well. The maximum before switching to perfect binding is 92 pages.
Why does saddle stitch page count need to be a multiple of four?
Because each sheet of paper creates four pages when folded in half. Every sheet added to the booklet adds four pages, so the total must always be divisible by four.
When designing a printed magazine which page count is best for saddle stitch?
Most saddle stitched magazines run between 32 and 64 pages. 48 pages is a common and practical choice for editorial magazines that need enough space for content without becoming too thick to bind cleanly.
Does saddle stitch binding lay flat?
Yes. Saddle stitch booklets lay completely flat when open and have no spine tension, making them comfortable to read on a desk or table.
What is the difference between saddle stitch and perfect binding?
Saddle stitch folds and staples sheets through the spine and is limited to 92 pages. Perfect binding glues pages to a square spine with a printable surface and accommodates higher page counts with a minimum of 28 pages. Saddle stitch is more affordable and faster to produce. Perfect binding looks more like a traditional book.
Can I get a free saddle stitch booklet template?
Yes. PrintingCenterUSA offers free downloadable Adobe templates for saddle stitch booklets in every standard size with bleed, trim, and safe zones pre-configured. A custom template is also available through the pricing tool.
In Conclusion
Saddle stitching is an economical and efficient binding method. It works great for booklets, calendars, and publications with fewer than 92 pages. Its subtle yet sturdy nature makes it a popular choice because it provides a professional finish without drawing attention away from your content. Understanding the specifics of saddle stitching like the necessity of page counts being divisible by four and page counts suitable for this binding style, you can be sure you’ll have a polished and cost-effective final print product. Whether you’re looking for quick turnaround times or a booklet that lays flat for easy reading, saddle-stitching offers the perfect balance of affordability and quality. Explore our saddle-stitching options today to give your project a sleek and professional touch with PrintingCenterUSA.
