Saddle Stitching: A&A Printing VS. Ingram Printing

There could be many reasons why you may be asking the question, what is saddle stitching, anyway? Regardless of what your reasons are, in this post we will answer that question, and cover the following:
  • the details of saddle stitching for booklets
  • the kinds of publications typically printed using the saddle stitch binding method
  • a comparison of the top 2 printing companies for: total overall value and quality of service.
  • scenarios in which you could be looking for information about saddle stitching.
The actual saddle stitch method is one of the most popular and commonly used forms of printing for smaller publications. An example of one of these could be things like brochures, pocket guides, catalogs, diaries, booklets and much more. The way saddle stitch binding works is completely unique, and is the most common and cost effective way to print smaller publications.

Saddle Stitching  

To put it simply, the saddle stitch method works like this: for printing a smaller publication, for example, a pocket guide, you utilize both sides of the paper and type 2 pages on each side of it, so that when folded in half it reads like a book. In this way, 4 pages are printed on one sheet of paper since we’re using both sides. When printing, we start with sheets of paper that measure 17″ x 11″, so that when folded are the standard 8.5 x 11 inch size, and then the pages are folded, put in order, and then draped over a saddle-like apparatus. Finally, wire staples are used on the fold line to bind the pages together and form a booklet. There are two reasons why saddle stitching is called what it is, as you can probably imagine at this point. The first is, of course, the saddle-like apparatus that is used when printing. The second, is that in the printing industry, any time wire staples are used in a process, the staples themselves are referred to as ‘stitching’ or ‘stitches’; thus the name saddle stitch.

More About The Process 

For using the saddle stitching method, you will need to pay close attention to the page count, for multiple reasons. Because of the unusual method of printing 4 pages on one large sheet, using the front as well as the backsides of each sheet of paper is necessary. Saddle stitching is typically used for something you want to promote, but could be anything, and generally is kept to under 64 pages. You also want your total page count in a multiple of the number four.
Lastly, don’t forget to include the cover, both front cover and back cover, as well as its paper thickness in relation to the rest of the pages. Because remember, due to the fact that staples are being used in this binding method, the staples can only handle a certain number of pages at a specific paper thickness. In saddle stitched binding, there’s a minimum of 4-8 pages and the maximum is a 92 page count, depending on the paper thickness of everything.

The Construction

Besides your book cover, keep in mind you won’t be able to print anything on the spine due to the staples used in the saddle stitch. The staples are secured along the fold line, where each page is nested one inside another and can be called the stitching line. This means the spine will not be a flat surface to be able to print anything on its side. However, one great point of the construction is that your book or booklet will lie open flat, and it can also be put into a 3-ring binder if you put 3 holes along the side or edge near the spine if desired. Speaking to a representative at A&A Printing can help you bring your project together perfectly, regardless of any issues you may face.

Other Great Tips & Info

Whether you’re a small business owner trying to get off the ground or a stay-at-home mom writing your own children’s books, A&A Printing has great tips and services to help you. Booklets such as these are relatively simple to design and can be created in virtually any size or orientation. A book like this can even accommodate great artwork and crossover images, which are images that span over 2 pages. Booklets with saddle stitched binding have a very professional look and can also be mailed easily without adding much bulk for advertising purposes. Order forms, business brochures, programs, catalogs, mailers, and manuals are typically saddle stitched materials.

A&A Printing VS. Ingram Printing

If you’ve never had the experience, you may be thinking, ‘what’s the big deal? Aren’t all places that provide saddle stitched binding the same?’ The answer is an emphatic; ‘NO!’ First of all, A&A Printing is not a “vanity” publisher like the competition. Since making more money is not all that matters to us here at A&A, our prices have stayed the same, while Ingram’s have gone up not once but twice. The other huge difference is that we really care about our customers at A&A Printing, and we want them to succeed, offering them the best quality workmanship for the best price possible. We will take you through each project step by step, to ensure you understand everything.
  We stand by our self-publishing authors with the kind of support they need, including the professional resources and assistance for success. We take pride in our work and in your work, as well, at A&A. If you have a printing project you need help with, come talk to one of our friendly staff members. A&A Printing has over 40 years of experience in the industry, with invaluable knowledge and helpful advice you can really use. You can count on A&A Printing for all your copying, printing, binding, and publishing needs. Still interested in saddle stitching? Find out what is saddle stitch binding for booklets today!

Tigers Share Their Tales

3rd Grader, Serenity, enjoying the stories she and fellow classmates wrote.

We recently had the privilege to work with a group of Tigers! Tampa’s very own Morgan Woods Elementary 3rd grade Tigers had so many stories to share that they made them into a book!

“Tiger Tales” was written as a fun project for the five 3rd grade classes and school office staff. We are sure they will be sharing them with family and friends as well!

Some of the tales the friendly Tigers shared were: My Trip To Cuba, Going To Dad’s Work, Pokemon, My Pencil, My Best Friend, I Believe In Santa, The Police Chase, My Guinea Pig, Fluffy Puff the Pony, and My Dog Ate My Mom’s Cake.

We would like to give a thanks to Morgan Woods Elementary and the 3rd grade classes for letting us be a part of this great project! Go Tigers! Roar!

Receiving A Hard Copy Proof Before Printing Is Important

An example of how it will show up. A clipped unbound hard copy proof.

Receiving a hard copy proof of your book before the final printing is important. It is the time before the final print when you are able to look your book over to see what it will look like.

After your order has come into us, we write up the job order and send you an order receipt. Along with the order receipt, we tell you that you will receive a proof within two to three business days.

When your proof is printed and sent to you, it is the perfect time to make sure that everything is to your liking. Check the colors of the cover, do a last minute minor edit, and check the format.

Checking the colors on this hard copy is important because sometimes what you see on the computer screen is not exactly what you get when it is printed. There may be a slight color difference.

Getting this hard copy is also a great time to look over your book for any mistakes you or your editor may have missed in the editing process. Minor changes and corrections can be done, as long as they do not disrupt the flow of the book, and it the file allows it.

It is also a good time to check over the format of your book. Make sure your book is laid out and formatted according to our printing specifications and things haven’t been shifted to where they aren’t supposed to be.