Side-stabbed or stitched books do not use glue or stitching on their spine. Staples or stitching hold the pages of these books together, as often seen for pamphlets, booklets, and small books.
Side stabbing or stitching involves adhering the pages to the spine of a book by gluing or stitching them. Hence, they lay flat when opened – making reading more accessible. Side-stabbing is common practice among mass-market paperbacks and some hardcover books, textbooks, or books that need to lay completely open when opened.
One advantage of side stabbing or stitching is its speed and affordability. It is suitable for smaller print runs and books needing updating frequently (such as manuals or directories). Furthermore, side stitching allows pages to lie flat when open – providing a more comfortable reading experience.
Side stitching or side stabbing binding has its drawbacks. Since there isn’t glue or stitching attaching its pages, they may become loose over time and make reading the book difficult. Furthermore, this binding type only allows as wide an opening as other methods, making reading harder than with other books bound this way.
Knowing when to use side stabbed or stitched for binding is helpful knowledge for anyone interested in book publishing. It provides an insight view of the process from initial concept to finished product and insight into those and businesses involved in publishing.