Never done this with with cardstock covers (only board and wood). And never with a single signature. But coptic binding might be worth a shot. It'll lay totally flat, and it looks pretty classy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coptic_binding

For a single signature you could use a (what we call a) cahier stitch. Which is basicly a simplified version of the above mentioned coptic stich, which you can use when you need to bind multiple signatures together.

see: http://www.ambachthuys.nl/plaatjes/handboekbinden15.jpg

For a single signature you could use a (what we call a) cahier stitch.

Do you have any information about the process of creating a cahier stitch?

I guess what I am really looking for is some kind of machine that you can simply put a stacked number of pages and covers into, push a button and yield a binded document.

Velo and thermal binding seem to be the only solutions (that I can find), now I guess I need to know what machine(s) and supplies to buy.

Oh, if you want this automated the coptic binding won't be much good. Or none, really.

A cahier stitch (also called a pamphlet stitch) is much easier. But still not easily (cheaply) done by machine. Here's a video of how to make a pamphlet stitch.

How many of these are you making?

I am estimating workhorse production of maybe three or four bound (not binded, my apologies) documents per week.

What I am researching is a print production solution for a local small business that need to make these kind of run-of-the-mill corporate documents cheap and fast.

It's hard to find a cheap binding method for small quantities that beats the comb, velo, or thermal binding. There are somewhat expensive ($5K+) desktop perfect binding machines that will do a fine job, but the upfront cost may be prohibitive.

I have a friend that loves these Circa things for binding things around his office.

I've seen Treasury tags used for documents like you describe, but it may or may not be the look you're after.

Ah, coptic and pamphlet bindings are probably too involved for something like that. I have seen small desktop systems for poor man's perfect binding. You have to use specific covers that have a channel of glue pre-applied to the spine. Arguably slicker than comb and coil, and probably adequate for small corporate jobs.

Like matteson says, a cahier/pamphlet stitch would not suit your needs.
My experiences with termal binding is that it's not very durable, especially if you open it flat.
Have you thought about staples?
Also it's possible to have your cover go over your comb/sprial spine, to make it visually more attractive.

Staple it. Use an industrial-style stapler with a saddle (the pages lie over that). Google 'wirestitcher'.

Champagne tastes on beer budgets are best served by velo binding. Screen-printing covers for a run of fewer than 100 copies would be prohibitively expensive.

OTOH, there are copy shops who could deliver a handsome product using Docupress—or a similar digital “printing press”—including printing, collating and binding at a competitive price…

The original post was 3 years ago.

Three years is nothing 'round these parts.

hhp

The original post was 3 years ago.

Well, Emma Watson (!) bumped it…

Another fine thread resurrected by a spambot.