Hardcover binding is the oldest type of binding and is traced back to the days of Coptic binding. Hardcover binding is self-explanatory to some degree as it is what it sounds like. It is a hard cover over the paper in the book and is usually covered by paper, cloth or some other material. Hardcovers are often used with sewn binding and wire stitching binding. Sewn binding is made by sewing the spine of the book to reinforce it. Sewn binding hardcovers are very sturdy and last a long time. The wire stitching used with hardcovers is called side stitching and is most commonly used on thin books.
Perfect binding is the most popular binding used on softcover books, such as paperback romance or spy novels. It is economical and does not require the same resources to produce as other methods such as sewn binding. Sewn binding is also used on softcover books but is more costly and specialized than perfect binding, which is known as adhesive or unsewn binding for its simplicity. There is also saddle-stitch binding for very thin softcover books like comic books or magazines. In this binding method, a book is stapled together at the fold in the material or paper.
Punch-and-bind is a method used with plastic comb binding, wire-O binding and Velobinding. These types of bindings are used on office documents, class syllabus lists and other such documents. Plastic comb binding and wire-O binding are made by punching holes in the paper and using toothed plastic or wire spines. Velobinding is made by punching holes in the paper and using a two-part binding that is pressed together. Velobinding does not disassemble for easy editing as do its two counterparts.
Spiral binding is also a punch-and-bind method, but unlike its punch-and-bind cousins, it uses not a toothed spine but rather a solid spiral spine that is woven through the holes in the paper. It is a popular choice for making notebooks.