Securing loose printed, folded, and nested pages with stitches or staples down the middle of the fold (the spine) is known as saddle-stitched binding. The sheaf of papers or signature may be stitched with thread or staples. The name comes from the device or saddle on which the folded signatures is placed for stitching — with the saddle in the fold.
Saddle-stitching or saddle-stapling or "bookletmaking" is common for small booklets, calendars, pocket-size address books, and some magazines. Binding with saddle-stitching creates booklets that can be opened up flat.
The number of pages that can be bound using saddle-stitching is limited by the bulk of the papers. The larger the number of pages, the greater the amount of creep that occurs — inner pages that extend or creep further out than the outer pages when folded. Trimming the pages makes them neater but can result in uneven margins and possibly cut off text. This can be countered by building in a creep allowance after designing the pages which involves adjusting inner and outer margins. With a creep allowance, trimming the pages gives the neat appearance but keeps the margins and text intact.
Side-stitching is a similar method where the pages are stapled about 1/4" from the spine but the booklet can no longer be opened flat.
Do-It-Yourself Saddle-Stitch Book or Booklet Binding
The basic steps for saddle-stitching involve:- print out pages (adjusted for creep if necessary)
- collate the pages into the right order (may be done during printing)
- add a cover, if desired
- if using staples:
- fold then unfold the pages to create a crease
- staple along the crease with a long reach stapler
- if using thread:
- fold then unfold the pages to create a crease
- use a needle or awl to put holes in the crease
- use a needle and thread to stitch through the holes
- fold along the stapled or stitched edge
- trim the edges so they all line up neatly
These tutorials go into more detail and often provide illustrations of the process whether using staples or thread. You'll find some variations in the techniques. Use what works best for your publication.
- Book Assembly Photo Journal uses a cross between perfect binding and saddle-stitching by sewing the book into signatures then assembling them into a single book and applying a glued-on paper cover.
- Publish Yourself With a Saddle Stitch Stapler isn't a tutorial but it talks about ways to use a saddle stitch or long reach staple — not just for books.
- Easy Book Binding Tutorial is illustrated and shows how to do saddle-stitching with thread.
- How to Saddle Stitch a Booklet describes the stapling method.
Also see: Binding Methods for Desktop Publishing
