Would 20 sheets be thick enough for perfect binding?

In general I'm not a fan of Kinko's, but some locations do perfect binding. There is a setup charge.

I think Jonathan might be right...unless it's really thick stock.

Are the sheets imposed? The perfect binding process really requires signatures, ideally of 16 pages, but eights and fours are possible. I don't know how you could sew single sheets (two pages). I certainly wouldn't want to warranty pages against falling out with singles.

That said, why not call a university library. Many university graduate programs require bound theses, and thus those places should (might) know where to get it done.

Sorry, I am lost here. How does the perfect binding require signatures when it trims the spine folds off? And where does sewing come into it?

Don: The perfect binding process really requires signatures, ideally of 16 pages, but eights and fours are possible. I don’t know how you could sew single sheets (two pages).

paragraph: Sorry, I am lost here. How does the perfect binding require signatures when it trims the spine folds off? And where does sewing come into it?

Don, paragraph is right -- that sounds like saddle stitching.

you can't really do perfect binding on a 20-sheet book.
a typical recommendation would be to do "tape" binding.

you _could_ pad the book and have lulu.com print it...
or, if you're only doing 2 of 'em, you could hand-bind.
actually, it can be very gratifying to hand-stitch a book.

-bowerbird

yes perfect binding is just glue and the cover.

actually I dont need it just perfect bound really.

any place do any great binding on the spot?

<< you can’t really do perfect binding on a 20-sheet book. >>

Not So.

I work with a short-run printing shop that can perfect bind 16 pages. Binding machinery is so good these days that I'm sure there are other shops that can perfect bind fewer than 20 pages.

powers

will said:
> I work with a short-run printing shop that can perfect bind 16 pages.
> Binding machinery is so good these days that I’m sure there are
> other shops that can perfect bind fewer than 20 pages.

very interesting.

please define both "pages" and "perfect binding".

also, what is the cost -- for large runs, smaller runs (e.g., 100),
and one-offs, which is what the original poster specifically asked?

finally, do you have a website where i could place a one-off order,
to see what the actual product looks like?

-bowerbird

PAGES in this case = 60-lb, acid-free natural or bright white (optional 50-lb, 70-lb, 80-lb, 30% PCW recycled)

PERFECT BINDING = individual sheets of paper (not signatures), gathered, bind edge slightly scored/roughed, glued on the bind edge, cover drawn on to glued edge

COST: The business I referred to is BookMobile (http://www.bookmobile.com/product.cfm?prod_id=101). On the web site a quote can be gotten. One may have to sign in to get a quote; I'm not sure how it works for new users.

They do not do one-offs. I know this is what the original poster asked about. But I was replying only to the general assertion that perfect binding of fewer than 20 pages was not possible.

As far as short-run digital printing of books, BookMobile is among the best in the business.

powers

Sorry all, I read that as case binding.

I second the Lulu.com vote of bowerbird

will-

thanks for the information,
will, it's very interesting...

i have a ton of questions, but
i'll talk to mobilebook directly.

-bowerbird

It is BookMobile. Not mobilebook. Although someone will use that name soon enough, for sure.

Bookmobile? That's those portable libraries that roll around town to give kids books who otherwise wouldn't ever make it to the real thing. Kinda like a big ice cream truck, except for books. And less creepy.

Books anyone? We are on a Mission from God!

Probably way too late, for future reference, if your only doing a limited number why don't you perfect bind by hand?

It's not hard (fun even..?) and is pretty hard to mess up—so far I've never had a disaster

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgwmExG_dp0&feature=PlayList&p=90DCF2F448...

This video gives a pretty good start (although the students ask an ungodly number of obvious questions..)

@DanGayle: You mean the Bookmobile guy wasn't supposed to give us ice cream?