What is Case binding?
Case binding as is the process through which a hardcover book or edition bound book is made. There are three distinctive qualities of a casebound book.
- The cover is hard or stiff
- The covers are wrapped and decorated to some degree
- There are two end papers inside the cover
There are two ways in which a casebound book is assembled; adhesive case-binding and sewn case-binding.
Adhesive Casebound
Adhesive casebound books have pages that are glued together and into the case. It is the most economical form of case binding. However, books bound using this technique have a longer production process. Binders have to wait for the glue to dry fully and also go through the process of cleaning off excess glue and making sure the spine is properly places and perforated. This process is also known of perfect binding.
Sewn Casebound
A sewn casebound book refers to the use of needle and thread to bind a book together and to its case. There are a lot of different ways to sew a case bound book together; Smyth Sewing, Side Sewn, Saddle Sewn and Oversewn
Smyth Sewn: Smyth sewing is the most common method of booking sewing. Sewn books are often the most durable due to its binding method. It involves and Smyth sewing machine which uses nylon thread to sew the pages together at the fold crease, or the saddle. The thread sits behind the paper fold which ensures the paper lies flat.
Side Sewn: Side sewn books are sewn with a thread that runs from head to foot, usually 1/4 of an inch away from the the spine with the binding thread left unfinished so there is a tale left at the bottom of the book. This method is creates a larger hinger on the spine, however, it is harder to read because the pages to not lie flat.
Saddle Sewn: Saddle Sewn books are sewn right down the middle of the fold crease. This method allows for the pages to lay flat, open easily, and allows for large illustrations. It is usually used for children’s books due to its durability and ability to stand up to heavy use and can be done for both hard and soft over books.
Oversewn: Oversewn books are special because this method involves sewing each individual sheet together, rather than in groups. This binding is durable but does not allow for flexibility in the pages, which do not lie flat or open. Bookbinders usually use this method to bind thesis papers and to rebind and repair old books.