A book's binding is a determining factor in its pricing and market and, therefore, its sales. Aside from the two most popular bindings, paperback (or "perfect bound") and hardcover (or "hardbound"), there are spiral and comb binding, saddle-stitching, and velo-binding.

Paperback or Perfect Bound

Paperback books are cheaper to produce and sell more copies than hardbound. The signatures (16- 32-page sections) that come off the press are cut and joined to the cover with an adhesive. The cover is printed separately from the text, usually in four colors and on thicker stock, which then is coated or laminated. The most common trim sizes of paperbacks are 4.25" x 6.75" (mass-market sized), 5.5" x 8.5" (trade), and 8.5" x 11. As yet, paperbacks are the only kind of book that digital printers can make at a competitive cost.

Hardcover or Hardbound

Hardcovers, books bound in stiff boards, cost more to produce, last longer, and have an aura of quality that paperbacks do not. Accordingly, they are priced higher. There are two basic hardcover bindings:

• Smythe-sewn. In this process, signatures (16 or 32-page sections) are first sewn together and then glued into the cover. This allows the book to lie open flat. Because this is the more durable process, it is more expensive.
• Adhesive. In this process, signatures are collated and glued to a fabric. This fabric is then glued to the end pages (the first and last pages of the book) and then glued to the hardcover binding itself.

Spiral and Comb Binding

Spiral binding consists of a metal wire wound in spirals on the left edge of the book, as in a school notebook. Comb binding is similar but employs plastic, which can be printed on. This is a more expensive process, but the advantage is that the book can lie open, which is convenient for manuals, cookbooks, etc.

Saddle-Stitching

Saddle-stitched publications are held together with staples through the spines. This inexpensive process is used for magazines and catalogs, e.g., but because the spine cannot be printed upon, is not preferred for books.

Velo Binding

Velo-binding is a patented binding process that punches holes in the pages and uses two long strips of plastic to hold them together. It is good for reports and such, but not used for serious bookmaking.