Method of packaging printed pieces of paper using rubber or paper bands.
Banding is the process of combining two or more like objects, usually books, into a single unit. The term is most often used in the publishing industry, where it refers to the practice of combining multiple books into a single volume, usually for the purpose of reducing costs or increasing shelf space. Banding can also be used to refer to the practice of combining multiple magazines into a single issue, or combining multiple newspapers into a single edition.
The use of banding has increased in recent years as the publishing industry has struggled to cope with declining sales and rising costs. Many publishers have turned to banding as a way to reduce expenses, while still offering their customers a wide selection of titles. In some cases, publishers have even resorted to banding together titles that would normally be considered competitors in order to better compete with online retailers and other booksellers.
While banding can offer some advantages to both publishers and customers, it also has some drawbacks. One of the biggest problems with banding is that it can often lead to books of wildly different quality being lumped together. This can be confusing for customers, who may not be able to tell which book in the banded volume is the best one to read. Additionally, banding can often result in books that are less popular being overshadowed by more popular titles, which can hurt sales.
Banding is an important tool for publishers because it allows them to track the performance of their books over time. It also allows publishers to see how their books are selling in different markets, which is valuable information for marketing and sales purposes. Banding can also be used to help publishers identify new talent and market trends.