Ironmark Blog

Book Binding For Beginners: Screw Binding

Written by Reid Broendel | Jan 13, 2020

Screw binding is one of the most popular binding methods for books that need frequent updating. A major benefit of screw binding is that it's easy to add or remove pages, making it an excellent choice for scrapbooks, menus, portfolios, or other books that have removable pages. Once the cover is created, you can add and remove pages quickly by undoing the screws. Screw binding looks professional, but is also convenient and affordable.

When to Use Screw Binding

Choosing the right bookbinding method for your book is important. Each of the four main bookbinding methods has its own unique pros and cons. The screw binding method is excellent because it's easy to add or remove pages. All you have to do is undo the screw, remove the cover, and then change out the pages. With screw binding, your main focus will be on the cover. Once the cover is complete, you can add or remove pages as needed. Compared to the case, perfect, and saddle stitch methods, screw binding is an easier work-in-progress method of bookbinding. The entire book doesn't need to be finished before you begin binding it.

Screw binding is also called screw post binding, thesis binding, or Chicago binding. Screw binding can be used for books of any size. The screws come in many different sizes, anywhere from 1/8" to 5" long. The screws thread through the front cover and the back cover, holding all of the pages in-between together. The screws are exposed along the front spine. It looks more professional than a traditional binder and is more customizable.

Related: What Book Binding Method Is Right For Your Print Job?

Materials

There are different styles of screws used for this type of binding. The most common are aluminum, but there are also plastic screws, as well as screws that are painted to look silver, gold, or brassy. Screw binding can be used for a wide variety of books, even leather or paint and fabric swatches. The barrel post of the screw goes through the back cover, through all of the pages, to the front cover. The cap screw is put on the top of the barrel post to keep it fastened. If you want to add or remove a page, unscrew the cap screw, remove the cover, then add or remove the pages you wish to update. Adding a page is easy, all you have to do is punch a hole in the page so that it aligns with the screws. When you're finished, put the pages and cover back on and tighten the cap screw.

Screw binding is an easy and affordable bookbinding method that is great for books that you want to be able to add pages to or remove pages from. Other binding methods bind the entire book to the spine, which makes it difficult, or even impossible, to add or remove pages. To add or remove a page with a screw bound book, simply remove the screw cap and take the cover off. Screw binding is a popular bookbinding method because it's easy to use. You can add or remove pages quickly. The covers can be very decorative, making great portfolios, menus, scripts, proposals, and more.


Are you working on a project that could use screw binding, such as a menu for a restaurant? Or perhaps paint and fabric swatches for your home renovation store? Whatever your next big project, if you need screw binding, we'll have you covered. Contact the experts at Ironmark. Our print team is prepared for any bookbinding job and we’re always here to help.