Perfect Bound or Saddle Stitched? Compare the Features Before Making Your Zine

When creating a ZINE, you generally have two choices: "perfect binding" or "saddle stitching." Perfect binding is like a paperback or hardcover book, where the spine is created and the title is visible when placed on a shelf. Saddle stitching is cheaper and easier, with the advantage of opening 180 degrees, but perfect binding has a different kind of presence.

What is Perfect Binding?

Perfect binding is a bookbinding method where the pages of the body are bundled, glue is applied to the spine, and then it is wrapped with a cover. It is also called "case binding."
※Hardcovers are called "hardback" and softcovers are called "paperback."

▲ A ZINE with a hardcover, handmade by a DIY ZINE school student.

The origin of "perfect binding" seems to be that it doesn't use staples or thread (no "lines"). Most general books, paperbacks, hardcovers, and commercial magazines are made using perfect binding.

Advantages of Perfect Binding

Creates a Spine

The biggest feature of perfect binding is the spine. When placed on a bookshelf, the title and author's name are visible. Having a spine is a big advantage if you want it to be placed in bookstores or on shelves. Note that a certain number of pages (thickness) is required to put text on the spine. Printing company websites often provide spine width calculation tools, so it's good to check beforehand.
※The paper thickness (basis weight) and number of sheets are required for calculation.

Can Bind Many Pages

While saddle stitching has a page limit, perfect binding can bind books with hundreds of pages. It can accommodate thick ZINEs with 60 or more pages, or collaborative magazines by multiple people.

Durable and Suitable for Long-Term Storage

Perfect binding is strong because it is firmly bonded with glue. It is resistant to falling apart even with repeated reading and is suitable for long-term storage.

High-Quality Feel

Because the spine is straight and square, it gives a high-quality appearance. When you want to slightly increase the selling price, perfect binding can also convey more value to the buyer.

Disadvantages of Perfect Binding

Gutter (Bound Side) is Hard to Open

Unlike saddle stitching, perfect binding cannot open 180 degrees. The gutter (bound side) appears somewhat constricted, so it is not suitable for layouts that use the entire spread. It is standard practice to ensure a margin of at least 10mm from the gutter side.

・Related article: What is Bleed? Settings to always check before submitting your ZINE for printing

Slightly Higher Cost Than Saddle Stitching

Due to the increased binding process, the cost is higher than saddle stitching. While there may be differences depending on the number of copies and the printing company, perfect binding is often more expensive for the same specifications.

Difficult to Bind if Too Thin

Due to the structure of applying glue to the spine and hardening it, if there are too few pages, the spine will not have enough thickness, making it difficult to bind. As a guideline, saddle stitching is more suitable for 12 to 16 pages or less.

Summary of Comparison with Saddle Stitching

Here's a summary of the comparison with saddle stitching.

・Related article: What is Saddle Stitch Binding? What it can and cannot do, and how to do it

What is PUR Binding?

Standard perfect binding uses EVA-based hot melt glue (heat-soluble glue). While the adhesive strength is sufficient, the glue softens at around 50-65°C, and there's a risk of pages falling out if left in a high-temperature environment like a car in summer. Also, the glue can deteriorate over time.

PUR binding uses a special glue called "PUR hot melt." This is an abbreviation for "Poly Urethane Reactive" adhesive. It reacts with moisture in the air to solidify more strongly, and its adhesive strength is said to be more than double that of standard perfect binding. It also has a wide temperature resistance range of approximately -20°C to 120°C, making it less prone to deterioration in high-temperature environments.

Advantages of PUR binding: Opens well (less gutter constriction), highly durable, environmentally friendly (glue separates easily during paper recycling).

Disadvantages of PUR binding: Higher cost than standard perfect binding, limited number of printing companies that offer it.

If you're making a ZINE, consider PUR binding if you want it to be sold and kept for a long time, if it has many pages, or if you want the spreads to look clean. Major online printing services like Graphic and Raksul also offer it.

Can You Do Perfect Binding Yourself?

DIY perfect binding is certainly possible. For example, the method is introduced in videos like the one below.

The key points are to either bind and cut the stack of paper at once, or to impose the pages so they can be glued for perfect binding from the start. Apply glue to the stacked paper with a brush and attach the cover. It will work better if you can apply pressure with a vise or similar tool.

For sizes like A6 to A5, perfect binding can be achieved with a machine called "Tojita-kun." While the manufacturer primarily recommends their specialized covers, some ZINE creators apply "hot melt" (adhesive with double-sided tape), sold separately for Tojita-kun, to their own paper to achieve perfect binding.

・Related article: What is Imposition? Mastering the "Print as Booklet" feature

Which One Should You Choose?

If you're torn, I recommend thinking about "the shape of book you like."

If it's text-centric and you want it to look like a book in a bookstore, go with perfect binding. If it's a booklet combining photos and text, an easy-to-pick-up ZINE, then saddle stitching might be better.
If it's your first ZINE, I think it's a good approach to try making one with saddle stitching first, and then challenge yourself with perfect binding for your next work.
In any case, please consider which form best suits your preferences and your work.