Binding sheets of paper should be simple, right?

Not so fast!  Folks, I hate to say it - but the Binding Industry doesn't have the option of inventing a truly revolutionary binding method.  The simple truth is there are only a handful of ways to bind sheets of paper together.  I'm in the business of creating presentation materials and my clients continually ask if there are any new binding methods available.  The short answer is no - but there are plenty of options to get the job done!

Loose-Leaf: Don't cringe.  Loose-leaf binding is the BEST binding method around!  Allows you to add, update or replace pages easily.  No special hole punch required.  Pages easily flip over the ring metal and lay flat when you reach the page you need to read.  Loose-leaf binding does NOT have to remind you of the binder you took to school in the 80s. You can make them sleek and sexy by using materials such as metal, acrylic, leather, recycled paper, wood, etc.  Here is one example.

Screw Post: Inexpensive and can make for a cool look!  Only drawback is that pages do not lay flat when you open up to the page you desire.

Spiral or Comb Binding: Inexpensive if you have someone else bind the materials.  Costly if you choose to do on your own in-house since it requires purchasing a binding machine.  Upside is that pages flip easily and lay flat - but spiral and comb binding tend to give a dated look and do not allow the user to add, remove or update the pages inside.  They key to making it stand out is creating a case similar to the example below.

Saddle Stitch: Common for small booklets, calendars, etc.  Sheets of paper are folded and staples are placed in the fold. Inexpensive.

Perfect Binding: Paperback books are one example of perfect binding. Perfect binding is quite durable and has a low to medium cost. However, the pages do not lay flat when the book is opened.

Thermal Binding: Heat-fused cloth or plastic strips are fused to the edge of the document.  Desktop machines are available for home or office use if choose to do it on your own.

Case Binding: Used for hard cover books and involves sewing the pages together and then affixing inside a hard cover case.  Lasts a long time.  Quite costly.