Hardcover book binding and spines

Hardcover book binding and spines.

A custom hardcover book binding may have spines that are square (flat) or round. Most often Star Print Brokers will Smyth sew the text block of hardcover and soft cover books. Smyth Sewing is not necessary for Wire-O bindings.

Square spine

The square spine may be tight, or it may be hollow.

TIGHT SQUARE SPINE

With a tight square spine, the book block securely glues to the board of the spine.

HOLLOW SQUARE SPINE

The book block of a hollow square spine does not glue to the board of the spine. The hollow square spine makes the book block more flexible with better lay-flat performance, but it is not as strong as a tight square spine.

Round spine

A round spine hardcover is always hollow and has no spine board. The round spine is the most flexible with the best lay-flat performance. However, the disadvantage is less strength especially for books with larger page counts.

Hardcover book binding for Wire-O

OPEN

No photograph is seen above. This Wire-O book binding has no spine at all. The draw back for self publishers is that it does not have a spine. Most bookstores will not carry it.

CONCEALED ROUND SPINE

The wire conceals in a round spine. It is great for high page count books that need to lay flat.

CONCEALED

This is a great lay-flat Wire-O binding. The wire is totally concealed. The title of the book on the spine is visible just as it is with any other hardcover book.

SEMI-CONCEALED ON THE SPINE

No photo is provided above. We seldom bind Wire-O books with wire exposed on the spine. The reason is that the wire partially obstructs the spine, making it unsuitable for printing. The semi-concealed Wire-O on back cover next to the spine of a hardcover book is more attractive. stronger, and less conspicuous.

SEMI-CONCEALED ON THE BACK COVER

This binding is a great solution when you need the strength of a Wire-O binding combined with the wire exposure being less not readable as it is on the back cover.

Another benefit is that bookstores will not reject the book because of its binding. They usually will not accept books with no spine, or a wire obstructing the spine. The semi-concealed Wire-O on the back cover is the best choice for higher or heavier page counts.

If you have any questions about a custom hardcover book binding, be sure to contact us.