Children's Book: Researching binding and printing costs

 Binding methods 

For this project I wanted to see if I would be able to bind my own children's book. I thought this could make it more personal and precious. On the other hand, having the book professionally printed would allow me to send it off to clients, in hopes to create and design my book. Before I started to create my book I needed to do research into which method I should use. 

Saddle Stitch Binding 

• best for smaller documents, cost effective. 
• Ensures the pages are intact. 
• Most suited for magazines. 

PUR Binding

• paperback 
• uses paperboard or heavy cover stock to attach the pages to the spine with glue. 
• it makes for a strong, clean spine, that's durable enough to hold heavier stocks. 
• perfect for paperbacks, annual reports or premium projects.

Single sewn binding

• Traditional method. 
• a single thread is stitched through the folded pages at the spine. 
• No adhesive or stapling. 
• Stitching can be either on the outside or hidden. 

Coptic Binding 

• Design that lasts 
• Pages are held together by a neat stitch, without covering the spine
• Versatile
• Different designs and sewing patterns can be created 
• time-consuming- sewing the pages of the book requires patiences 
• hard to get neat 

Japanese Stab Binding 

• Simple design, especially because the sewing is done on the edge of the book rather than the folded spine
• it eats into the book- it can't be opened flat the spines will always jut out. Bad for children's book

Ortabind Book binding

• Lay flat book 
• produces a professional looking book  
• Produces books that can be laid on flat surfaces 
• time consuming
• not easy to create 

After researching I have realised that book binding would be difficult if I did it for a children's book, this is because it can be messy on the first attempt and depending on the style of the spine, it can eat into the pages of the books. If I was to create my own book, I would have to trial and error and it could look messy. 

Researching different prices to get my book professionally printed. 

When I asked for quotes from different companies, I found out that if I wanted to print off multiple versions of my book, I would need to do it with Staffs uni to cut down on the price of the printing. Especially if I want to create multiple versions of my book to send out to different clients.