gluebound

Gluebound, also spelled glue-bound or glue-bound binding, is a bookbinding method in which a stack of pages is affixed along the spine with adhesive and then covered by a soft cover. It is commonly used for mass-market paperbacks, magazines, catalogs, and other softcover books. The technique is typically categorized with “perfect binding,” a term widely used in the printing industry.

In the gluebound process, the pages are gathered into a single block, sometimes after forming signatures. The spine is prepared to improve adhesion, and a hot-mled adhesive is applied along the spine edge. The book block is then attached to a soft cover, after which the edges are trimmed and finishing touches, such as pressing and curing, are completed. Modern implementations often use EVA or PUR hot-melt adhesives. EVA is cost-effective and quick-setting, while PUR offers greater strength and flexibility and better resistance to temperature and humidity, albeit at higher cost.

Applications and characteristics. Gluebound books are economical to produce for moderate-to-high quantities and accommodate a wide range of page counts. They provide a clean, uniform spine suitable for shelving and quick printing runs. Limitations include lower durability under repeated heavy use relative to sewn bindings, potential spine cracking with excessive opening, and reduced long-term rigidity. Environmental considerations include adhesive choice and end-of-life recycling, which can complicate separation of glued-page components.

See also: perfect binding, sewn binding, case binding, PUR binding.