Thread Sewn Books
Thread sewn book printing for books that need to last and open well. A premium binding for short runs of art books, journals and keepsakes.
- No design yet? We set up the artwork free of charge when we print the job.
- Tight deadline? Same-day printing is possible on many jobs if your file is ready early. Call to check first.
- Can't get here? Collect from Gatton Road, or have it delivered in the UK for a quoted charge.
Why choose sewn binding?
In thread sewn binding, folded groups of pages (called sections or signatures) are stitched together before they are fixed into the cover. The stitching gives the book great strength and lets it open more easily than a glued one. It is the traditional choice for high-quality work and is used on art books, photo books, hardback novels, journals, reference books and anything meant to last.
Sewn or glued?
| Thread sewn | Perfect bound | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Very high, pages are stitched | Good, but glue can fail with hard use |
| Opens flat | Better | Tends to spring closed |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Lead time | Longer | Shorter |
| Good for | Art books, journals, heirlooms | Reports, novels, catalogues |
A sewn book may be finished with either a soft or a hard cover. Hardback is the more traditional finish, while a soft cover with exposed stitching or a lay-flat spine can look striking on art books and zines.
Pages and paper
Sewn books are built from folded signatures, each of which is usually 8, 16 or 32 pages depending on paper thickness. Your final page count needs to fit into those groups, so we will check this with you early on. Heavier paper results in fewer pages per section, and photos look particularly good when they run across a double-page spread because of the way the book opens.
Who it is for
- Artists and photographers who want images to run across the gutter
- Publishers and writers producing limited editions
- Companies and charities marking anniversaries
- Families producing a history or a tribute that will be passed down
- Journal and notebook makers who want a book that opens flat and lasts
Is it worth it?
Honestly, not always. If you are printing a report that will be read once, stapling or gluing is fine. Sewn binding earns its cost when a book is opened many times, kept for years, or given as a mark of something special.
Starting your project
Tell us the size, page count, quantity, cover type and deadline. We will talk through the options and the budget. Because this is a slower craft process, please allow generous lead time. Send your file for a check before you commit, and we can also help you to set up the layout free of charge when we print the job.
Questions we hear about thread sewn books
What is thread sewn binding?
Groups of folded pages are stitched together with thread, then fixed into a cover. It is one of the strongest binding methods.
Is sewn binding better than perfect binding?
It is stronger and opens more easily, but it costs more and takes longer. It is best for books that will be used repeatedly or kept for years.
Can a sewn book lie flat?
It opens more easily than a glued book, and certain soft-cover styles can lie very flat. Tell us if it is a priority.
Can I order a small run?
Yes. Tell us your quantity and we will quote for it, although the cost per book is higher on very short runs.