Custom Printing for Newbies - Which Booklet to Order?

by Alex Plachta

In this “For Newbies” blog I want to cover the basic options for ordering booklets.  Booklets are not too complicated, so I am going to jump right into three main options:

The most basic option is the stapled booklet - also called “Saddle-Stitched.” This is the least expensive type of booklet and is a great option for most situations.  The only special condition to be aware of is that the page count must be in multiples of four.  This is required because the process involves stapling sheets that are folded in half (for example 11”x17” sheets if your booklet is going to be 8.5”x11”).  Here are a few pictures:

The second option is called “Perfect Bound” and gives more of premium look.  It is a little more expensive than stapled, but not by much (seriously – not much!) and is a great option if you want a more luxurious look or want it to look more like a book and less like a brochure/magazine.  This method still requires the page count in multiples of four.  Here are a few pictures:

The last option I want to share is wire-binding or “Wire-O.” This option will be more expensive than stapled or perfect bound, but is the best option in certain situations.  It is commonly used for professional reports and high-use materials.  Often these are produced with a nice durable cover to create something that is easy to use and will hold up to being used often or held open on a certain page for a long period of time (like a recipe or diagram). 

For all these options there are a few other variables to consider - mostly if you need the booklet in color or black and white and if you want the cover to be a thicker stock than the inside pages or if you want it to be the same paper as the inside pages.  It’s pretty simple stuff – booklets are easy-peasy and can be a great marketing tool or reference material.

I hope this helps as a basic guideline. Feel free to contact Alex at print@oexusa.com with any questions or for a quote!