Book Binding Techniques

May 3, 2020

I have never made my own photobook before, but after researching existing photobooks, I have become a lot more accustomed to the different styles, as well as the numerous binding options that exist. I have seen books that incorporate gatefolds and hand stitched spines, books with small flaps, or images only partly adhered. I have also developed a feel for the styles that I like, and those that I am not so interested in. I prefer a simpler style of binding, and discovered that I really don’t like gatefolds because I find them annoying. 

In a couple of articles that explain binding techniques (1)(2), Jörg M. Colberg stresses the importance of using binding techniques that actually support the concept of the book. It is not good to use a certain style just because it seems “cool,” but rather to relate the function of the book to the ideas that are being conveyed in the images.


“The function of a photobook is also related to its concept. The concept informs the function.”


Below are some binding techniques that Colberg describes. I am making note of them here so that I can easily reference them later.

Japanese Stab Binding

  • What is it: a stack of paper with fives holes, which is held together by a thread woven through those holes.
  • Pros: easy to use multiple types of paper.
  • Cons: not good for double page spreads, as it cannot be laid flat.

Accordion

  • What is it: a single strip of paper, folded up to form the accordion.
  • Pros: viewer can open it up, or turn it ‘page by page,’ no gutters.
  • Cons: no spine.

Saddle Stitching

  • What is it: paper is folder in half and a thread or staples joins them through the gutter.
  • Pros: easy to piece together.
  • Cons: page number has to be a multiple of 4, need to calculate where the images will go.

(1) Colberg, J 2014, Conscientious, Forms and Functions of Photobooks (Part 1), viewed 03 May 2020, <https://cphmag.com/form-and-function-1/>

(2) Colberg, J 2014, Conscientious, Forms and Functions of Photobooks (Part 2), viewed 03 May 2020, <https://cphmag.com/form-and-function-2/>

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