Perfect Binding
Perfect bound books from as little as £2.89. No job is too small. We may produce 5.4 million magazines, prospectuses, programmes, books and catalogues in a year, but if you only need a single copy we’ll gladly produce that at a great price too.
Perfect Binding for Magazines, Brochures and Catalogues
Perfect binding is a popular and cost-effective method for creating professional-looking publications. The process involves binding groups of pages together with strong adhesive, resulting in a book-like finish with a square spine.
Although associated with larger print runs due to the set-up costs, technological advances mean that it’s now also an excellent choice for corporate reports, manuals, and other print products that require a professional finish, but not neccessarily a large print run.
It takes 1,920 hours for a member of the Bishops perfect binding team to gain the knowledge and skills needed to reach Bishops’ quality standards for binding. Understanding in depth each of the 3 separate processes involved, considering adhesives, adjusting for different paper weights, and spot checking, are all part of their skillset.
Advanced Perfect Binding Technology On-site
Our 85,000 square foot factory houses cutting edge bindery equipment that delivers the highest quality results. We have the versatile Horizon BQ-500 iCE for smaller, digital print runs(from just a single copy) and a 45-meter long, 16-station Kolbus KM 610.C perfect binder for large scale requirements.
Supported by a 7 Heidelberg litho presses, HP Indigo digital printers, 15 folding machines and 4 guillotines, whether you’re producing high-volume perfect bound catalogues or small quanities of corporate reports our technology gives you versatility, precision and efficiency, all at a great price.
Client Reviews
I just wanted to email you to thank you and your staff for an excellent job in both producing — magazine, the packaging and delivering the publication to a very high standard last week.
Helen G. Publisher
All good! The client is very happy, just received my copies also so thanks for that. Colours look great and they are already talking about doing another print run!!
Simon C. Print Professional
Brochures arrived today looking absolutely fabulous! And such a quick turnaround. Whole process has been really great. Thanks so much for your flexibility and communication throughout.
Onna B. Minstead Trust
Lucy consistently goes above and beyond to ensure all our needs are met promptly and efficiently, and is always happy and a pleasure to deal with.
Danny B. Print Professional.
Just wanted to pass on huge thanks to you and the team for the fantastic quality & turnaround of the Poetry books, delivered yesterday ahead of schedule.
Susan H. Print Professional
Why Choose Bishops’ Printers to Perfect Bind Your Programmes, Prospectuses and Reports?
We’ve built a strong reputation as perfect bound product specialists, producing 5.4 million perfect bound books annually. Our HP Indigo printers, equipped with HP’s ElectroInk technology, ensure exceptional colour quality for smaller, digital print runs, while our investment in Heidelberg’s Inpress Control guarantees precise colour accuracy on litho print runs.
Perfect Bound Spine Widths and Paper Selection
For perfect bound magazines, brochures, or catalogues, we recommend a spine width of at least 3mm and cover stock of at least 200gsm. Large paginations or publications with premium positioning would require heavier covers, typically 300-350 gsm. Other than that, you have full flexibility when it comes to choosing paper stock and size. We do, however, recommend laminating covers to protect the spine and avoid cracking. This is where the paper fibres break through to the surface creating a worn look. If you’re uncertain about the specifications, our team is available to help. We’ll calculate the ideal spine width and advise you on the best options to achieve your planned perfect bound product.
A4 Perfect bound books
From £604, for 250 copies
Based on 48pp, 250 gsm Gloss covers, 100gsm Silk text, perfect binding.
We always recommend adding lamination for protection and durablity. For this specification, add £25 for matt or gloss lamination to one side.
A5 Perfect Bound Books
From £387 for 250
Based on 48pp, 250 gsm Silk Covers, 100 gsm Silk text, perfect binding. We recommend adding lamination to your covers.
To add interest and tactility you could consider mixing different paper stocks within the text sections.
Perfect Bound Books
Custom sizes
Take advantage of our bespoke printing service. Special finishes include Spot Gloss UV varnish, Foiling, Metallic Ink, Gloss & Matt Lamination.
Minimum recommended spine width of 3mm for a secure finish.
Why Choose Us
Customer Service
98% of customers say they would recommend us. We aim to pick up the phone within 3 rings, always answer emails, and deliver a straightforward, friendly and knowledgeable service.
Stable Prices
Our quotes are valid for a minimum 30 days and our low prices are consistently competitive. Printing 287.9 million sheets a year, our buying power is reflected in our prices. For regular publications, fixed pricing is available.
Quality
92% of customers rate us good or very good for quality. 70% of our customers are trade print professionals who trust us with their reputations and rely on our white label service.
Environmentally Sensitive Printing
- Our house paper stocks are FSC® certified. We are also FSC licensed FSC-C141091.
- We’ve installed 1,500 solar panels on our 85,000 sq ft roof for sustainably energy.
- We’ve cut our make-ready paper waste by a third because we chose to invest an extra £250,000 in Inpress Control for our 10-colour presses.
- Our house stock does not use chlorine in the bleaching process and is produced by one of the most energy efficient, environmentally sound mills in the world.
- We recycle all our waste: aluminium plates, metal ink tins, plastic ink cartridges, the ink itself, cardboard and plastic wrapping.
- We have installed 3 electric vehicle charging points and are transitioning our delivery fleet to hybrid and electric vehicles, where commercially viable.
FAQs
What is perfect binding?
Perfect binding is a method of binding pages together using a strong adhesive along the spine to create a clean, square edge.
This gives the finished product a book-like appearance, making it a popular choice for magazines, brochures, catalogues and reports where a more polished, professional look is required.
When should I choose perfect binding?
Perfect binding works particularly well for catalogues, magazines and reports where a square spine makes the publication easier to handle, stack or display. It can also support a perception of quality, so is popular for premium brands and products.
Perfect binding is typically best when your page count exceeds 60 pages, but in the case of thicker, heavier paper stocks, it will be less. As long as the spine width is 3mm or more, perfect binding is an option.
For shorter documents, saddle stitching may be a more cost-effective alternative.
What page count is needed for perfect binding?
Perfect binding requires enough pages to create a usable spine.
As a general guide, a minimum spine width of around 3mm is recommended to ensure the adhesive holds securely. This requires a higher page count compared to saddle stitched products.
If you’re unsure whether your project is suitable, we can calculate the spine width and advise on the best approach.
What paper is best for perfect bound books?
Paper choice plays an important role in both the appearance and durability of a perfect bound product.
For covers, we typically recommend a heavier stock, usually 200gsm or above, to give strength and protect the inner pages. For higher-end publications, heavier covers can further enhance the overall feel.
For the internal pages, typical paper weights are 100gsm – 170 gsm and there is flexibility to choose coated or uncoated papers. If your publication includes lots of photographs, Silk stock is a good choice. Images will appear more vibrant than if you choose uncoated stock, but large areas of text will still be easy to read.
Do perfect bound books need lamination?
At Bishops Printers, we always recommend laminating perfect bound covers.
Without it, repeated opening and handling can cause the paper fibres along the spine to crack, which affects the appearance over time. Adding lamination helps protect the spine and keeps the publication looking pristine for longer.
Can you produce short-run perfect bound books?
Yes. While perfect binding is often associated with larger print runs, our two digital printers combined with the Horizon BQ-500 iCE binder means we can also produce short-run and even single-copy perfect bound books.
This makes it a practical option for corporate reports, manuals or smaller publications where you still want a professional finish.
What types of products are best suited to perfect binding?
Perfect binding is commonly used for publications designed to be held in the hand, where pages aren’t required to lie flat, or where they will be displayed on shelves.
Typical examples include catalogues, magazines, annual reports, prospectuses and books. It’s particularly effective where a square spine adds to the presentation or usability of the product.
Can you add special finishes to perfect bound products?
Yes. A range of finishing options can be applied to enhance the look and feel of your publication.
This might include lamination (gloss, matt, soft-touch or anti-scuff), spot UV varnish, foiling or embossing. These finishes are typically applied to the cover for protective or decorative purposes, enhancing the design, helping it to stand out, and stay looking good for longer.
Can you combine perfect binding with mailing services?
Yes. If your perfect bound books or catalogues need to be posted, we provide a complete print and mailing solution through our wholly owned mailing house, The Mailing People.
They handle fulfilment and postage, allowing your project to move efficiently from production into mailing without needing to coordinate multiple suppliers. Your Bishops account manager will take of everything for you.
Can you help with the design of a perfect bound publication?
Yes. If you need support with the creative side of your project, we can introduce you to our fully owned agency, The Graphic Design House.
They work with organisations across a wide range of sectors to develop bespoke creative solutions that are visually engaging and practical. From brochures and magazines to programmes and annual reports.
Because they’re owned by Bishops Printers, there’s no need to manage multiple suppliers. Your account manager will manage the entire process for a straightforward delivery that’s on time and within budget.
Why choose Bishops Printers for perfect binding?
Unusually for a commercial printer, Bishops Printers as 2 perfect binding lines. The Horizon BQ-500 iCE means we’re price competitive on short-run projects, while the Kolbus 16-station binder is perfect for volume.
Our bindery team brings a high level of skill and precision to every job. It takes around 1,920 hours of training and hands-on experience to develop the expertise required to meet our quality standards.
From understanding the three distinct stages of the binding process, to selecting the right adhesives, adjusting for different paper stocks, and carrying out rigorous quality checks, every detail matters.
Combined with our cutting-edge technology, this expertise enables us to produce over 5.4 million perfect bound publications each year — consistently, accurately, and to the highest standard.
