Hi Darcy-
I'm sure you know this.... perfect-bound books don't lie flat on the music
rack very well. "Breaking the back" on them to make them lie flat will make
them fall apart more quickly. They're made mostly for occasional use
(quality paperbacks in the bookstore, for example), or for (relatively)
cheap archiving. Your client's not going to be very happy if the book is to
be used very frequently- it will start coming apart within a few months with
regular use, and they'll think it's your fault. Maybe these are some of the
reasons you're leaning toward coil binding.
Around here printers who are capable of perfect binding charge a setup fee.
The highest fee I've encountered was $150, and the lowest, $90 ( & I'll
wager that NY-area prices are higher). Some printers are variable in cost to
the number of pages, and others have a flat fee. Inquire about the type of
glue they use- some get brittle quicker than others over time. Better glues
cost more, but they last longer because they have a higher rubber content.
Stapling's an option with the thickness you're producing, but middle pages
will tend to tear out. These books do lie flatter, and they're cheaper than
perfect-bound. Of course, you have to take creep into account since these
are folded sheets. And the book will look much better printed to a slightly
larger size with a finishing trim (adding to the cost).
You could go with saddle-stitched, but normally that's reserved for hardback
bindings, and it's pretty expensive- too costly for a short run of 30
copies. This binding will require gluing the stitched booklet groups
together and adding a glued cardboard cover. Normally these have stamped
lettering, but you could opt to glue a print on the front.
One option you might have that could save some money, being in a large metro
area, is to see whether you can get a university librarian to send your work
to the bindery they use for theses. You'd get saddle-stitched copies back,
probably. Like a perfect-bound copy, this won't lie flat very well. It's
just meant to be more durable.
You're sensible to suggest coil binding - your client should listen to
you...... unless these copies are intended as gifts or library-quality
prints..... ? If so, perfect-bound may be more sensible. You just pass
the costs on.....
Cecil Rigby
Harrock Hall Music
Liberty, SC
rigrax at earthlink.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Darcy James Argue" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2007 5:32 PM
Subject: [Finale] Binding options
[snip]
Perhaps someone with more experience could give me some advice,
especially when it comes to price, etc.
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