Sappi North America Releases Standard 6 Guide on Binding Techniques

The latest volume of The Standard, Sappi North America's (Boston, Mass., USA) series on designing for print, was released this week across the country. Created for Sappi by Kit Hinrichs, principal of Studio Hinrichs (San Francisco, Calif.) and AIGA medalist, Volume 6 of The Standard is a deep dive into binding techniques, the all-important final stage of print production. Even though binding methods are frequently dictated by a book's physical size and thickness, functionality, and cost, there are numerous design possibilities from which to choose. The Standard 6 is filled with tips and techniques for achieving optimum results, with several actual physical binding examples. This educational reference tool is aimed at professionals in print communication, showing how technical binding considerations can direct and enhance creative decisions.

"Of all the overlooked design options, the choice of binding technique ranks near the top," said Patti Groh, director of Marketing and Communications, Sappi North America. "The Standard 6 educates and inspires professionals to consider all of the binding options available before determining what works. There's a fine line between completion and success. The finishing touch, like the choice in paper, always makes a difference."

The Standard 6, divided into five chapters, digs deeply into binding by covering the history of binding, using binding as a design element, exploring binding techniques, as well as offering a pull-out guide on binding materials and a glossary of binding terms. Additionally, three chapters in the book are bound using unique binding methods that help not only show, but tell the bindery story.

Hinrichs, who created all six volumes of The Standard on behalf of Sappi said that "binding innovations, changing design trends, and new uses merit a closer look at what's available—and possible—in binding. The Standard attempted to give a comprehensive overview."