When it comes time to put your book into the world, looking into the top book binding services is key for self-publishing authors. The privilege of self-publishing means you have full creative control over what you publish, how you publish it, and when.
However, how you decide to bind your book will play a large role in how readers view your finished product. A well-designed book that looks professional, is easy to use, and is also aesthetically pleasing will help you succeed.
A book that lacks aesthetic appeal and is not bound in a way that reinforces your author brand will do you as well as your readers a disservice. In this article, we discuss five book binding services you can consider choosing.
Your creative goals are subjective and your overall career dreams will influence your decisions—no matter how small. For instance, if you want to write educational books with hands-on exercises you may want to spiral bind your book.
On the other hand, if your dream is to write romance with beautiful covers, you’ll likely want to steer clear of this form of binding. Keep your long-term goals in mind as you read through the following.
Types Of Book Binding
Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to briefly cover some various types of book binding so you know your options.
Saddle Stitching: In this type of binding, signatures or sheaves of folded paper are taken and fastened together in the centerfold using a number of staples. When you think of this type of binding, you can include catalogs, handouts with multiple sheets of paper, booklets, etc.
Perfect Binding: This is widely used for softcover books, large catalogs, and even magazines. Perfect binding uses adhesive to bind pages together and creates a clean, firm look.
Spiral Bound: Remember your wide-ruled school notebooks? These are a classic example of spiral binding. This type of binding allows users to lay the book flat, bend the cover back against the back cover, and easily underline, highlight, or take notes.
Case Binding: Most people refer to this as “hard cover.” This form of binding is the highest form, durable, and usually takes up more physical space. Because of the care put into the form, the longevity of the book, and the space it demands, these bindings are often regarded as more quality.
Book Binding Services
Let’s take a look at five different options for self publishing and book binding services for you to use.
Selfpublishing.com
Selfpublishing.com provides book cover design, formatting, and publishing. They’ll upload your book to Amazon KDP for print-on-demand printing. Publishing packages also offer coaching, mastermind opportunities, and other support services that are perfect for new authors.
Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble Press helps you create quality books, both hardcover and paperback, for a variety of readers:
- Friends
- Family
- Fans
- Reviewers
- Yourself
Minus a few exceptions, you can rely on them to deliver your order to your doorstep within roughly ten days.
Barnes & Noble Press makes it their priority to use premium paper stock and offer print in full color or black and white. Users can choose hardcover format, hardcover with dust jacket, hardcover with printed case, or a variety of paperbacks.
To use this book binding service takes just three steps: Choose your format, prepare and upload your files, then print and ship.
Printivity
Printivity says, “Perfect-bound booklets: A premium, professional reading experience. You don’t have to be a famous author for your work to feel like a masterpiece.” Sound like a great option? You’d be right.
They use their expertise to give you guidance on how to elevate your product through the visuals you use. In fact, they review your uploaded files and create a digital proof before going to print.
Template downloads include:
- 8.5″x11″ Templates
- 5.5″x8.5″ Templates
- 10″x8″ Landscape Templates
- 5″x7″ Templates
- 6.625″x10.25″ Templates
- 6″x9″ Templates
- 8″x10″ Templates
- 8″x8″ Templates
- 9″x12″ Templates
- 11″x8.5″ Landscape Templates
- 8.5″x5.5″ Landscape Templates
- 7″x5″ Landscape Templates
- 9″x6″ Landscape Templates
- 12″x9″ Landscape Templates
If they think another option will work better than your current one, they will explain their thought-process to you, all without delaying your delivery deadline. If this isn’t enough, they even promise that if your final product doesn’t meet your expectations they will reprint it at no charge or refund you in full.
BookBaby
BookBaby offers a wide variety of book trim size, binding options, book types, and book genres. Whether you want to create a glossy hardcover book or release your newest project via softcover, BookBaby has you covered.
One of the pros for this binding company is that they offer print on demand. Because of this, you can distribute your books without the worry of purchasing the right number, finding a place to store copies, or hoping you’ll sell enough or not run out.
Additionally, if you need help with book printing, design, promotion, or distribution, BookBaby is ready to help you reach success with your book.
BookBaby offers:
- 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee
- Customer service from self-publishing experts
- High quality, full-color in-house book printing
- Free shipping on most book orders
Visit their website to learn more!
48 Hour Books
Are you on a time crunch? 48 Hour Books is a full service book binding service that allows you to educate yourself on book binding options, their benefits, and which one is right for you. They offer in-house bindery and produce:
- Hardcover (case bound)
- Softcover (perfect bound)
- Spiral coil bound
- Saddle stitch
Because 48 Hour Books does all their binding in-house, they control the quality of the binding services they offer and also can provide a higher turnaround time than companies who do not bind in-house.
With a customer-first mindset, they print and bind your book exactly how you describe it and employ the quality you desire. With a staff skilled in binding and using the latest technology in binding equipment for books, they are capable of producing:
- Several high-capacity perfect binders for softcover books
- State-of-the-art case binding equipment for hardcover books
- Several high-speed punches for spiral coil binding
If you need a masterpiece in 48 hours, you may want to look into this service!
Printing Center USA
Printing Center USA offers quality services online. They are rated #1 for the best quality custom book printing services online in the USA and offer:
- Print and self-publish
- Children’s books
- Coffee table books
- Picture books
- Art and photography
- Business
- Self-help
- How-to manuals
- Academic fiction
- Religious and spiritual
- Textbooks
These services are available in:
- Full color
- Black and white
- On premium gloss
- Matte
- Uncoated white
- Natural
- Opaque
Once your proof is approved, you can expect your delivery within three to four days. Their binding services include saddle stitch, perfect bound, hardcover, spiral, and wire-o. Printing Center USA uses a combination of short run digital and bulk offset printing.
Which One Is Best For Your Goals?
Now that you have an overview of the different types of binding services, five companies and their unique offerings, as well as have your goals in mind, it’s time to choose which one is best!
This is the fun part, because now you have a base-level of research and can go into the details on your own. You are the writer, so you have the best understanding of what will make the best fit for you. We can’t wait to hear what you choose!
What’s Next?
Now that you’ve checked out some of the available book binding services, get the Advanced Publishing Starter Kit below to start planning your book’s launch.
