Best Binding for Photo Books

There are many ways to create a book, including different ways to assemble pages and covers into a finished product. Various binding methods involve different cover materials, page weights, and levels of precision.

Some of the most common binding options include

• Saddle stitch
• Perfect bound
• Layflat
• Smyth sewn
• Hardcover case wrap

The two most popular styles for photo books are perfect binding and layflat binding. Let’s explore the options.

Perfect Binding

In the perfect binding process, loose pages are assembled in a stack, the spine edge is treated with a strong, flexible glue, and a soft cover is wrapped around the pages. Then the other three edges are trimmed to create a “perfect” finish. This process accommodates high page counts and allows the books to stack cleanly.

Perfect binding is an economical option for projects like paperbacks, manuals, and comic books. The biggest reason we don’t use perfect binding for photo books is that the content of the page edges near the spine can get lost in the gutter. In order to view that content, it’s tempting to press on the pages near the spine, which can smear the ink and put stress on the glued binding. When that stress combines with age, the spine glue can fail and individual pages of the book can fall out.

Perfect binding is great for paperback books you’ll only read once, but it’s not great for photo books. That said, most of the cheap photo books people order online use this inferior binding method.

Layflat Binding

The best option for photo books is layflat binding. In this process, single-sided printed pages are glued together so each spread is a continuous, panoramic image with no seams, gutter, or shadow. The final book opens 180° and lays flat, which offers better presentation and greater durability.

Compared with perfect binding, layflat binding is a more complex process that requires added skill and precision, thus increasing the price. Due to the thick pages, layflat binding isn’t appropriate for projects with high page counts. The highest page count we offer in layflat books is one hundred, so for larger projects we would create a multi-volume series of books.

Conclusion

At Chaos to Memories, we only offer layflat photo books because we believe it’s the best way to experience photo books today and ensure they last for future generations. With decades of design and printing experience, we create memorable photo books using archival papers and timeless cover materials.

Interested in working with Chaos to Memories?

If you’re near Chicago and ready to get started to work with a professional photo organizer, come visit our Wheaton Studio Monday – Friday, 10-5. Please bring your memories with you.

If you live outside the Chicagoland area, we’re happy to send you a Project Form and Contract, along with shipping instructions, so you can get started on your project.

Contact us for more information.