Layflat Perfect Binding
Flat. Functional. Flawless.
Layflat Perfect Binding is a premium variation of traditional perfect binding that combines sleek design with superior functionality. It’s ideal for books that need to open fully flat without compromising the spine, like cookbooks and manuals. If you need to showcase full-spread visuals or want to create a hands-free reading experience, layflat perfect binding delivers.
What is Layflat Perfect Binding?
Layflat Perfect Binding follows the same basic steps as standard perfect binding…pages are collated, the spine is ground or notched, and hot melt glue is applied. However, it introduces a critical enhancement…a stretch paper or spine strip is applied after gluing, which prevents the cover from adhering directly to the spine. This detachment allows the book to lay completely flat when opened, improving its usability and visual presentation.
Flat Opening
This binding allows books to open completely flat without the spine curving or the pages lifting, which is especially useful for books that need to stay open on their own, like cookbooks or music books.
Enhanced Readability
Because the pages lay flat, there’s no need to hold the book open of fight against a springy spine. This makes reading more comfortable and accessible, especially for longer sessions or when referencing material while working. It also reduces eye strain by keeping the page layout stable and easy to follow.
Seamless Visuals
Layflat Perfect Binding is ideal for books with full-spread images or designs that cross the gutter. Since the pages align perfectly across the center, there’s no visual interruption, making it a great application for photo books and art catalogues.
Durability
The unique construction of layflat perfect binding reduces stress on the spine and glue line, which can extend the life of a book, making it a smart choice for books that will be used frequently or need to maintain their appearance over time.
Common Uses for Layflat Perfect Binding
- Cookbooks
- Instruction Manuals
- Photography Books
- Art Books
- Workbooks
- Educational Material
- Children’s Books
Helpful Hints
- Friesens recommends that Perfect Bound books be printed on our HP PageWide T250HD, however they can be printed on our offset or other web presses.
- The cover of perfect bound books with less than a 0.125″ spine can shift on the book block and cause spine type to wrap onto the front or back cover. We recommend removing any spine type on books with a spine size smaller than 0.125″.
- If your softcover book has flaps, the perfect binder will require multiple passes if the book thickness is greater than 1.96″.
- The approximate maximum spine width is 3.125″ for a hardcover (depending on book width) and 2.75″ for a softcover.