Showing posts with label wire stitching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wire stitching. Show all posts

Monday 18 August 2014

What is ...Loop Stitching?

What is ...Number 8
Regular followers of this blog will know that in the middle of the month, I publish a "What is ....? post. The article covers various aspects of paper, printing and finishing in greater depth. However, many of these subjects are complex, so these posts are only intended to be a brief introduction to the topic.

What is ...Loop Stitching?
Loop stitching is a variation of wire stitching or 'saddle stitching' (or a staple, as some would call it). In the way that it holds paper together, it performs exactly the same function as a normal staple finish but it is formed from a continuous length of wire (as is most commercial stitching) rather than a pre-formed staple and the wire forms a loop on the spine of the job.
 
The below picture shows a wire stitching machine, fed by a continuous roll of wire. 
The wire loop protrudes about 6mm from the spine and it's function is to allow documents to be held together and then files in a ring binder in one piece, rather than many loose, punched sheets. The picture below, shows the way the loops are held in a ring binder mechanism:
The ARB (Architects Registration Board) project (see below) was produced in 1999, designed by Cartlidge Levene - part of the functionality of these guidelines dictated that they could be kept in a ring binder and easily updated in the future.
Click on picture to enlarge
 ...and this picture show a ring binder with the contents, which are all loop stitched. An important point, not to be overlooked is the spacing between the loops, as this must be specified to the printer or finisher at the time of production. This is also often referred to as the 'pitch'.
Many binders have four rings and paper must be 'four hole punched' however it's worth remembering that you don't need to have four loops as two loops works perfectly in a four ring mechanism, as demonstrated below - that's certainly worth remembering!
 ...alternatively, you can just use the loops as an interesting finishing feature for purely aesthetic effect, even if it isn't being put into a ring binder, as this job for photographer, Andrew Douglas by Vince Frost.
From a cost point of view, it is more expensive than normal saddle stitching because the 'stitching heads' on the stitching line have to be changed and it just requires a bit more time to set up ...also, not all finishers have stitching lines that can loop stitch.
Posted by Justin Hobson 18.08.2014

Tuesday 18 March 2014

What is ...Singer Sewing?

What is ...Number 3
Regular followers of this blog will know that in the middle of the month, I publish a "What is ....? post. The article covers various aspects of paper, printing and finishing in greater depth. However, many of these subjects are complex, so these posts are only intended to be a brief introduction to the topic.
 
What is ...Singer sewing?
Singer sewing is a binding method which uses thread. Generally it is done in a highly visible way and often uses a coloured thread to highlight the binding.
 
The machinery used by the bindery for this is, in fact, very similar to a domestic sewing machine and like all the best sewing machines that our Mum's have, it's made by Singer! (other makes are available). It works in exactly the same way as a conventional sewing machine for cloth but with an industrial motor and a high strength needle. Researching this article, I understand that some machines will sew up to 10mm of paper - that's quite a lot!
 
Singer sewn projects have appeared often enough on this blog that I can easily illustrate it with these existing projects. The below picture shows a singer sewn publication:
http://justinsamazingworldatfennerpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/wrangler-bluebell-ss11.html
There are however two distinct types of singer sewing and unfortunately in the mysterious world of print terminology, it's not always clear what people mean or what terms they are using, so I shall try an de-mystify!
 
The project below has been finished over a "saddle", in the same way that a "wire stitched" or "saddle stitched" job is finished (or as most people out of the industry would call it - stapled with metal staples). The term saddle is used because it sits astride a saddle in the same way as a saddle sits on a horse. This then allows the machine to guide the thread or wire, accurately through the folded spine. As with wire stitching, there is a limit to how thick you can bind, because you have to consider the fold. 
http://justinsamazingworldatfennerpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/wrangle-bluebell-fallwinter-2010.html
However, you can also set it up so that the thread penetrates the whole thickness of the publication and is therefore visible on both the outside front cover and outside back cover. Normally the sewing is set in about 5-10mm in from the spine, as in the picture below. Often this is done with loose sheets of paper (as below) and there is no folded paper on the spine and the edge of the paper is visible on the spine. 
http://justinsamazingworldatfennerpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/coming-up-for-air.html
Both examples above are accurately described as singer sewn. However, I prefer to call the above example (that goes through the whole book) "Side Sewing" as I think it is more descriptive but it is also referred to as "Stab Sewn". Like most terminology in printing, it is as much useful as it is a hindrance. Most important of all is to communicate clearly what is required, either in words, drawing or picture.

I am often asked if this type of binding is a machine process or a hand process. The best way to describe it, is a "hand operated machine process" as unlike a truly mechanised process, the book has to be manually handled through the machine .

Another feature of the binding, is that you can leave the thread hanging, rather than having it cut flush in line with the edge of the book. This can work beautifully with the design, as with the project below:


http://justinsamazingworldatfennerpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/jobs-from-past-number-17.html
Not all binderies have a machine that can do this type of binding but there are a fair few finishers around the country that can handle this type of work. If you want a suggestion, just ask me...
 
Posted by Justin Hobson 18.03.2014