May 2005: Producing Sewn Books that Last

Singer side sewing, which sews thread through the side of a book block, is among the strongest binding styles available. Consult with the Riverside Group to determine what sewing style best fits your next project.

If your book project calls for strength, durability, longevity and a distinctive appearance, look no further than…sewing? Yes, sewing is an efficient method of page attachment!
At The Riverside Group, we offer four types of sewn bindings:

Smyth Sewing - The most common and widely used method, Smyth sewing uses thread to sew first individual and then groups of signatures together. The spine is then glued to set the thread and a cover material is attached. This is the only type of sewing for which the signatures will need a lap to hold the project as it is sewn.

Oversewing - Used primarily in library binding, oversewing is the most durable sewing method available. Popular for medical and legal volumes - books that remain in reference rooms for decades - oversewing requires designers to plan to give up ¼" on the spine edge for the thread. Oversewing can also be used to bind sets of single sheets, making it the ideal binding solution for digitally printed material.

Singer Center Sewing - In this style, thread is sewn through the center of nested signatures. Since only one signature is required, singer center sewing is a great choice for thin projects. In addition, the visible threads can be used as a styling cue if your book is designed with a self-cover.

Singer Side Sewing - This style is similar to singer center sewing in that signatures are nested rather than stacked. However, thread is sewn through the side of signatures rather than through the spine, making side sewing ideal for thin books. Side-sewing produces incredibly strong books even when the thread is exposed, which is occasionally done to create a modern look. This style can also be used to prepare text pages for case binding.

The Riverside Advantage
At The Riverside Group, we focus on finding the binding method that best fits the scope of your project - accounting for size, run length, stock selection, end use needs and your budget. With many binding styles and related services available in-house, The Riverside Group is your single source for book binding and finishing solutions. Contact us today to put our expertise to work for you!

In August 2004, The Riverside Group began selecting one lucky graphic arts company every month to win a hand-delivered six-foot Subway sandwich - perfect for feeding the entire office!

Qualifying for our monthly drawing is easy - simply go to our website and register to receive these great tips each month! We'll never misuse your email and you can opt out at any time. Existing customers who have already signed up for our monthly tips will be automatically entered.