Page 50 - Photo Review

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Indigo presses have been around since 2002,
while the Canon DreamLabo was launched
in 2012 and is capable of printing the contents
of a 20-page A4-size photo album in just
80 seconds. Other equipment may be used,
but not for the top-quality services.
Some companies do all the printing in-house,
often using professional-quality inkjet printers
to provide a 'premium' service and allowing a lot
of customisation to meet customers' individual;
requirements. Others outsource all the work.
Binding
Some services offer a choice between soft
and hard covers for your book. Soft covers are
generally cheaper but more vulnerable to wear
and tear, and the cover may curl up over time.
Hard covers are more durable and feel better
LayFlat bookbinding technology provides an attractive binding
in the hands. Depending on the type of binding, PHWKRG WKDW DOORZV ERRNV WR EH RSHQHG ÁDW RQ D WDEOHWRS 7KH LQVHW
VRPH FDQ EH RSHQHG ÁDW IRU WZR SDJH YLHZLQJ shows a close-up of how this method works. (Source: Cahoots.)
without tearing or damaging the binding.
Pay attention to the binding methods the
supplier offers. The cheapest methods are
comb binding and spiral binding, which hold
the pages together with loops of plastic or
wire. They have the advantage of allowing the
ERRN WR EH ODLG RXW ÁDW EXW WKH ELQGLQJ ORRSV
are always visible.
Saddle stitching secures the pages with a line
of staples down the middle of a folded sheaf of
papers. Many booklets are saddled-stitched and
it can be used for soft-cover photobooks.
Some services offer thermal binding that joins
the pages together with a strip of tape that is
fused by heat. It's less secure than many other
methods but can produce a near seamless join.
Perfect Binding and Burst Binding use a
ÁH[LEOH DGKHVLYH WR DWWDFK D FRYHU WR WKH VSLQH
of the assembled pages. These methods
are commonly used for paperback books
and magazines like Photo Review. The main Many photobook suppliers offer other products,
problem with most of these binding methods such as calendars and greeting cards. (Source:
Momento; images credit: Lauren Bath.)
is the 'gutter' created between adjacent pages,
which is usually very noticeable.
A similar problem arises with side sewn
binding, in which the pages are invisibly stitched stitched along the spine and the hinge remains calendars, stationery and cards as well as
along the spine to create a curved gutter. The YLVLEOH DQG DQRWKHU ZLWK D ÁH[LEOH EDFN KLQJH photo prints on materials such as canvas,
RXWHU SDJHV VLW ÁDWWHU WKDQ WKRVH DW WKH FHQWUH that enables a double-page spread to be printed metal, ceramics and glass.
of the book where the gutter is deeper. without a gutter. Delivery costs can add substantially to
Section sewing is a variation on side sewn the overall cost of the project and should be
binding and popular for hardcover photobooks. Other services taken into account when planning the project.
Pages are assembled into sections, which are You can often save money on the per-copy The weight of the package and the speed
WKHQ VWLWFKHG ZLWK FRWWRQ WR OLH ÁDW 7KH FRWWRQ cost by ordering multiple copies when you of delivery will be key factors to consider.
may be covered with narrow tape the same place the initial order. Many services will also Costs will also vary on re-orders if you change
colour as the page background. let you reprint a book at a later date and some the number of pages or the type of cover.
The most expensive – and best looking – will even allow you to make an updated version
binding for photobooks is LayFlat bookbinding with changes to the cover and/or contents.
technology. There are several variations, Most photobook suppliers can offer a range
including one in which the pages are invisibly of other products including personalised

48 PHOTOREVIEW AUSTRALIA | Issue 75 www.photoreview.com.au