Q: What are "Notch Binding" and "Burst Binding"?
A: These are both terms for a form of adhesive binding that requires each signature to be notched or burst (perforated) on the spine prior to the last fold. During the binding process, adhesive is forced up between the perforations to hold the pages together. With certain types of stock-heavy, coated text papers against the grain-this will increase the page pull strength. Another advantage is that it eliminates the need to mill away 1/8 of paper to expose the pages, as in conventional perfect binding; so an 8 1/2 x 11 book can be printed on a 34 1/2-inch wide sheet, instead of a 35-inch sheet. On the downside, single leaves present a problem... center spreads may not look good due to glue seepage through the perforations... and the book will be stiffer than a perfect-bound book.
Professor F. Martin Anson
Printing Covers 4-Up
Q: When we print covers for an 8 1/2 x 11 perfect-bound book, we usually print 3-up on a 23 x 35 or 26 x 40, so the grain will be parallel to the spine. This wastes a lot of paper. What do you suggest?
A: On books requiring absolutely top quality, keeping the spine parallel to the grain is essential, because cross-grain covers will develop some waviness along the spine. But for many jobs, we feel that the scoring mechanism on our perfect binder will do an adequate job of minimizing cracking on a cross-grain spine, if...
there is not solid ink coverage on the spine.
the stock is 10 pt. or less, and
the stock is uncoated.
If your job meets some or all three of these criteria, you could lay out your sheets as shown in the illustration, print 4-up and save stock and press time.
Flat-Sheet Cutting, Saddle Stitching
& Receiving Supervisor
Q: My customer wants me to print booklets that will be inserted into ring binders but wants a gutter so small there won't be any room for the holes to be drilled. Have you got a solution?
A: Yes -"Loop-Saddle Stitching." On a loop-stitched booklet, the wire making the stitch protrudes outward from the spine forming loops that can then be inserted onto the rings of a binder (see illustration). You can virtually eliminate gutters, have full-page illustrations, and not need to drill the booklet... and Quality Looseleaf can make the binders.
Customer Service Manager