Perfect bound books are the most popular type of soft cover binding. Perfect binding offers a durable, high quality professional look at an affordable price that can’t be matched.
It is the ideal binding choice for publications with higher page counts (28 pages up to 2 inches thick) such as catalogs, magazines, books, manuals, and more.
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Perfect Bound
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File Specifications
Our Most Popular Paper Options are
Coating Options
Gloss paper has a shiny and lustrous smooth coated gloss finish. Excellent for making full color printing appear more vibrant.
Matte paper is a dull coated sheet that exhibits low gloss finish. Paper has minimal glare, making it easier to read text.
Uncoated paper is easy to write on and should be used in projects such as a workbook or coloring book.
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Perfect Bound Book Resources:
Crafting a Perfect Bound Book Perfect Binding How Much Does it Cost to Print a Book? Book Layout: 9 Easy StepsPerfect Bound book printing may be used for a variety of purposes, such as self-publishing your own Art Book, Manual Book, Coffee Table Book, Guide Book, and so much more. Soft Cover Books are particularly useful for printing thick, higher page count books that cannot be saddle-stitched. PrintingCenterUSA produces high-quality perfect bound books with an expert, paperback appearance.
Product Catalogs
Display your products with images, descriptions, and prices. Add a way to track your conversions (like a QR code or special promo code) so you can easily determine the ROI. Companies with printed catalogs can boost sales 49%.
Memory Books
Preserve special events and milestones for your family and friends with a memory photo book. They are an easy way to give a touching gift for holidays and birthdays.
Magazine
Self-publish and start a monthly or quarterly magazine. Whether it’s a hobby, lifestyle, passion project, or business magazine, perfect binding is definitely your best binding option.
Art Books
Create gallery-quality art books with quality reproduction for artists, photographers, illustrators and more. Use our free downloadable templates or the online design tool to make the process easy.
Hand Books
Compile instructions, facts, procedures and policies to communicate information, expectations and a corporation’s or organization’s culture.
Photo Books
A Photo book or Photobook is a book in which photographs make a significant contribution to the overall content. A photo book is related to and also often used as a coffee table book.
Look Books
Lookbooks are a great tool for top fashion bloggers and vloggers to share their collections and inspirations. Bring the runway to life with vibrant color printing.
Year Books
Create affordable softcover yearboks online. Great for Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, Junior High, High Schools, Colleges and Universities, Organizations, Fraternity & Sororities, Military & Classmates.
Let PrintingCenterUSA take your perfect bound book project from concept to finished product! We have worked with and helped a number of businesses, non-profits, religious organizations, schools, and educational institutions design and print. Below are ideas, case studies, and examples from real customers to help you get the most out of your next bound book printing project!
More Ideas & Examples
Benefits
Perfect bound books are used to make a high-end impression on your business partners, potential customers, potential and existing client base, etc. Since perfect binding allows for a higher page count (28 pages up to 2 inches thick), you can provide a substantial amount of information in a professional-looking manner. The sharp, square spine is sure to boost customer confidence and brand recognition.
You can use these books for professional presentations, to express yourself, tell a story, train employees, self-publish a magazine, and many more options!
Page Count
We require that any multi-page PDF files be sent as single page images, not spreads. In the files, page 1 should be the front cover and the last page should be the back cover (see left). Learn More
We require that any multi-page PDF files be sent as single page images, not spreads. In the files, page 1 should be the front cover and the last page should be the back cover (see left). Learn More
Color
Save your PDF in CMYK. Learn More
Resolution
PrintingCenterUSA recommends that the resolution of your images and document be 300 dpi or more. Learn More
Bleeds
Bleed is an extra 1/8” of image that extends beyond the trim area of your printed piece. The project is printed on an oversized sheet that is cut down to size with the appearance that the image is “bleeding” off the edge of the paper. Learn More
What is the Minimum Page Count for Perfect Binding?
The minimum number of pages is 28 pages to 2" thick maximum. 2 page increments are required when ordering. Click here to learn more about page count for perfect binding.
What is perfect binding?
Perfect binding is when printed sheets are collated in page order, trimmed down to final size, and then finished by wrapping a cardstock cover around the pages, creating a square spine.
What is the difference between perfect bound and saddle stitch?
Printed sheets are gathered into a book, one on top of the other and the edges are ground off and the book is glued into a wrap around cover and then trimmed to size. This type of perfect bind creates a square spine. They provide an attractive looking durable book. They do not lay flat. Perfect bound book printing is great for directories, magazines, manuals, year books or any type of booklet that has many pages.
Perfect bound can have anywhere from 28 pages up to 2” thick. If it’s thick enough, you can design on the spine. A square spine gives it a very professional, high-quality look and feel. Saddle stitch can have as few as 8 pages and a maximum of 92. Saddle stitch is the most affordable and cost-effective option and it will lay flat and stay open when flipping through the pages. It does not have a printable spine.
Can I print on the spine?
Yes! You can print on the spine of perfect bound books as long as your page count is high enough. The spine width depends on the number of pages and the type of paper selected when ordering.
Saddle stitch binding is the most inexpensive and simple to make, yet professional form of binding, which allows us to save you money. They also offer the fastest turn-around time. Saddle stitched is the most popular and ideal choice for self-cover booklets and calendars with smaller page counts between 8 and 92 pages. 
Perfect bound binding is the most popular type of soft cover binding. Perfect bound books are inexpensive to make and provide a durable, high quality attractive look that can’t be matched. Perfect binding is the ideal choice for publications with higher page counts (28 pages up to 2 inches thick), giving them a professional looking printable square spine. A paperback book or a phone book is a familiar example. 
Spiral binding uses a durable plastic coil which makes it an ideal option for every-day use as reference material. Spiral Bound Book Printing offers different coil sizes and diameters to accommodate a higher page count up to 2 3/4" thick. There is a fast turn-around time for very short spiral bound book production quantities. Manuals, Handbooks, and Guides are good examples of products well-suited for spiral binding. Available only in black coil. 
Wire-O binding is similar to Spiral binding. Wire-O binding uses a professional-looking looped metal wire which makes it an ideal option when the product is for a more formal setting, such as a presentation. Wire-O binding can accommodate a higher page count up to 1 ¼" thick. They may cost a little more. Available only in black standard wire. 
