Saddle Stitch
Simple Stapled Finish
Saddle stitching is a popular and economical binding method ideal for thinner booklets, brochures, and catalogs. It uses wire staples through the spine of folded sheets to create a clean, professional finish. Whether you’re producing a seasonal newsletter or a compact product guide, saddle stitching offers simplicity, speed, and sharp presentation.
What is Saddle Stitching?
Saddle stitching involves folding sheets of printed paper and nesting them together. These folded sheets, called signatures, are then stapled through the spine. The publication is placed over a saddle-like apparatus (hence the name) with the spine facing up and the pages hanging down on either side. The staples are driven through the fold from the outside and clinched on the inside, securing the pages in place. This method is typically used for publications up to 64 pages (depending on the paper used).
Cost-Effective
Saddle stitching is one of the most economical binding methods available. It requires minimal materials…just folded sheets and wire staples, making it ideal for budget-conscious projects.
Quick Turnaround
Because of its simplicity, saddle stitching allows for quick setup and high-speed production. This makes it especially useful for short-run or time-sensitive jobs.
Clean & Professional Look
Despite its simplicity, saddle stitching delivers a polished, professional look. It’s particularly well-suited to thinner publications up to 64 pages (depending on paper thickness).
Lightweight & Easy to Handle
Saddle stitched books are lightweight and lie relatively flat, making them easy to flip through and are ideal for mailing or distribution.
Flexible for Custom Sizes
Saddle stitching accommodates various trim sizes and staple configurations (e.g. 2 staples for books up to 9″, 3 for over 9″), offering flexibility in design and layout.
Common Uses for Saddle Stitching
- Booklets & Brochures
- Magazines
- Catalogues
- Comic Books
Helpful Hints
- Saddle stitched books can be printed on the digital toner press (maximum 16 pages) or an offset press, but not on the inkjet press.
- The minimum is one four-page section. The maximum page count is 64 (depending on paper weight).