Staff Profile #1 and "What kind of binding is best?"

At Flax we have four specialists. The "older" Jeremy (Schuster) studied printing systems and management at RIT, availing himself of master classes in typography with Herman Zapf and bookbinding​ with Werner Rebsamen. He "worked his way up" from typesetting through graphic design and reportage and ultimately to editor of a magazine, where he produced a full-color edition. Although a lawyer in his 30th year of practice, Jeremy brings a wealth of knowledge he is eager to share. He also brings Wesley Crusher (Whippet), the store's mascot.

Jeremy was explaining (some of) the different types of bindings to a customer looking at our journals and thought you might want know the difference between "Perfect" and "Smyth-sewn," since Flax has products with different bindings and the costs associated with each are typically reflected in the price of each item.

Most softcover books use the perfect binding process whereby the cover and pages of the book are glued together at the spine and then the edges are “perfectly” trimmed to give your book its sharp, even edges. Perfect binding is a high-speed, machine process that is efficient. The downsides to perfect binding include the inability to "lay flat" without cracking the glue layup and, if the glue deteriorates, the loss of pages which can result. Also, the cover stock used for perfect binding is typically lightweight.

Smyth sewing is a method of binding where groups of folded pages (called "signatures") are stitched together. Each signature is sewn individually with multiple stitches and joined with others to create the book block. When  you page through a Smyth-sewn book, you can see the thread stitches in the center fold of each signature. Smyth-sewn bindings are durable and able to tolerate extensive use. This binding method is ideal for sketchbooks and journals since the pages can lay flat. Our Paperblanks journals are typically Smyth-sewn.

While on the subject, there are two additional binding types you'll see in many products at Flax: saddle-stitching and case binding. Saddle stitching is typically for books or folios that are for short-term use, such as the lightweight notebooks (not stapled or ring-bound). In saddle-stitching, the pages are organized, folded and assembled onto a conveyor (the pages ride atop the assembly as if to "saddle" it; in most instances they are married with a cover, and then the pages are (typically center) stitched with metal staples (and covered with a finishing tape). Saddle stitching is a high-speed, inexpensive process also used for many magazines.

Case-binding is the process you want for materials you want to archive or keep longer-term; it is also known as "hard cover binding" and involves sewing the inside pages together in sections, then adhering end-papers and covering material to the spine. This is typically a more labor-intensive process but makes a beautiful product which can lay virtually flat when opened. Case-binding also makes for an impressive product which can highlight the quality of the materials used. There is almost no limit to the finishing techniques used for case binding, which can include embossed details, foil stamping,  finishing to match gilded or marbled paper and more. You'll likely see case-binding on products from Graphic Image.

We won't discuss coptic (hand-stitched), thermal, comb, ring and the other bindings today but you're welcome to ask questions about any of the products we carry and the processes used to make them. Flax is a passion for everyone involved, and we love to share with you.