Saddle stitched books are a popular type of bookbinding that involves folding sheets of paper in half and then stapling them along the folded crease. This creates a spine where the pages are bound together. The term "saddle stitched" comes from the fact that the stapler used in the process straddles the folded sheets, much like a saddle on a horse.
Saddle stitched books are commonly used for magazines, booklets, brochures, catalogs, and other publications that have a small number of pages. They are ideal for printing on both sides of the paper and offer a clean, professional look. The binding method is also cost-effective and quick, making it a popular choice for short-run projects.
One of the benefits of saddle stitched books is that they can lay flat when opened, making it easy to read and write on the pages. They are also compact and portable, making them convenient for on-the-go use. Another advantage is that the spine can be printed on, allowing for branding and easy identification of the book's contents.
However, it's important to note that saddle stitching has its limitations. For instance, the number of pages that can be saddle stitched is limited, typically up to around 64 pages, depending on the paper weight. Additionally, the binding is not as durable as other methods such as perfect binding or case binding. Nonetheless, saddle stitching remains a popular choice for many types of publications due to its simplicity, affordability, and ease of use.