Which binding type is right for my book?

Choosing the right binding affects more than just how your book looks — it influences durability, usability, and cost. The best option for your project depends on page count, how readers will use the book, and whether a premium finish or a lay-flat reading experience matters for your audience.

Bradford & Bigelow produces four binding styles: saddle-stitch, perfect, coil, and case bound. Here's a quick overview of each, followed by our interactive selector to help you match your specs to the right option.

The four binding styles

Saddle-stitch is ideal for shorter publications typically 8 to 96 pages. Sheets are folded and stapled at the spine, producing a slim, lightweight book that lies reasonably flat. Common for workbooks, activity books, and short supplemental guides.

Perfect bound is the most common binding for books with higher page counts. Pages are gathered and glued to a square spine, giving the finished book a clean, professional appearance. This is the standard for textbooks, curriculum materials, and trade paperbacks.

Coil (spiral) binding threads a plastic coil through punched holes along the spine. The result is a book that opens completely flat which is a significant advantage for workbooks, teacher editions, and any reference material where readers need both hands free.

Case bound is the hardcover standard. Pages are glued into signatures and attached to a rigid board cover, producing the most durable and premium-feeling result. Case bound is the right choice for textbooks, library editions, and any title where longevity and presentation are priorities.