When choosing a book style, consider page count, durability, and cost. For maximum longevity, hardcovers are the classic choice—pages are sewn into a firm spine and encased in board for excellent protection.
That said, hardcovers cost more to produce, which is why many publishers choose paperbacks (also called perfect bound or softcover books). While softcovers aren’t as rugged as hardcovers, they’re faster and more economical to make—and with the right materials and methods, they can be very durable.
If you go the softcover route, ask your book printer to incorporate the following:
PUR (Polyurethane Reactive) binding glues the pages and cover at the spine, then trims the edges for a clean finish. Compared to EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), PUR adhesive delivers a significantly stronger, more flexible bond that resists spine creasing and page pull-out—ideal for perfect-bound books that need to last.
For your next project, choose our PUR adhesive to extend the lifespan of your softcovers.
Your cover does much of the protecting. A thicker cardstock plus a plastic laminate helps prevent wrinkles, tears, creases, dirt, and moisture marks. Laminated covers are easier to keep clean and add stiffness that shields the text block from everyday wear.
While paperbacks won’t match hardcover strength, these upgrades substantially increase service life without breaking the budget. And remember: your perfect binding machine and maintenance also affect final quality. Update Ltd stocks a wide range of replacement parts for perfect binders to keep production running smoothly.
Questions or need parts?
Call 1-800-229-0009 or email sales@updateltd.com.
