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PUR Perfect Bound Books

4.8 - based on 10,000 + successful jobs

Also known as 'soft back books' or 'paperback books' this is the classic style of book that everyone knows and loves but no-one does better than Flexpress.

  • Guaranteed highest quality printing
  • Wide choice of environmentally responsible materials
  • All common publishing sizes
  • PUR adhesive for superior strength and flexibility
  • Optional luxury cover enhancements
  • Large-scale professional finish for even low volume production
  • On demand book publishing
FREE Delivery with allocated time
FREE downloadable templates
FREE File-check for 10 common print problems
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Finished Size
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Printing
Cover Laminating
RECOMMENDED. adds a thin protective layer of plastic film to the outer covers of the booklet.
Cover Enhancement
Add one of our special effect finishes to your soft-touch laminated cover to make your book really look impressive.
Proof
The time stated for dispatch is for 'approved' artwork. Requesting a proof is likely to affect this deadline if the artwork isn't approved within the time stated.
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The countdown timer displays the actual date this specification could be dispatched. Change this option if you need it faster or cheaper.
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PUR Perfect Bound Books - More Info

Summary:

Perfect binding is the style of binding used to create the flat, square spine you'd expect to see on most paperback books or soft-back books. It is best suited to books thick enough to have a printed spine, so ideally 4mm thick or more. Here you can calculate prices for Perfect Bound Books of between 42 and 350 pages in all popular book sizes, and order when you are ready.

Prepress:

Whether or not you request a proof, all supplied artwork files undertake our FREE comprehensive 10 point file check to ensure your printed job turns out exactly as you intend. If you have requested a proof, a link will be emailed to you for approval and we will not proceed without your further authority. Files are then automatically imposed, ready for printing, in a way which maximises available space on the printed sheet and minimises waste. 

Material:

Choose from coated and uncoated materials for both the covers and inner pages of your books, or mix and match as you see fit. All of the materials we use are FSC accredited, and come from sustainable sources.

High Definition Printing:

Every job at Flexpress is printed using the finest technology available. You wont receive any products printed on beefed-up photocopiers from us - another reason we back everything with our total satisfaction guarantee. Perfect-bound books are printed using either HP Indigo Offset or Lithographically, depending on number of pages and quantity.

Cover Lamination:

Lamination adheres a protective plastic film over the book cover and is always recommended for perfect bound books using coated board covers to enhance the look and feel of the book as well as protect the print and increase the lifespan. We currently offer 6 different lamination options for PUR Book Covers.

Cover Enhancement:

If you want to make your book cover quite literally stand out, you have the option to add a luxury embellishment - just as you'd see on the latest best seller! Choose our extra thick spot UV gloss to really add a nice tactile finish to your book cover, or for a real classy look why not try our 3D raised foil which is available in five striking metallic colours. Both our raised Spot UV and Raised Foil can be sampled completely FREE prior to you deciding.


PUR Glue Binding:

There are basically two types of Perfect Binding glue: EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) and PUR (Polyurethane Reactive). Flexpress use PUR glue for it's superior adhesion and press flat properties. The process involves 'roughing' the spine of the book block enabling the  glue to penetrate into the fibres of the paper which ensures a strong, bind with anti-pull out qualities up to 70% better than traditional EVA glue. The cover is creased and hinged before being drawn onto the spine. To see the process and understand just how strong the finished bind is see our demonstration video.

Precision Finishing:

Perfect Bound Books are trimmed down to the finished size using our precision three-knife book trimmer and carefully packed in super-strong, double-walled corrugated boxes to withstand the rigours of carriage. All of our packaging: boxes, reinforced tape and void fill, is environmentally friendly and completely recyclable for your peace of mind.

Dispatch time:

The dispatch time for PUR Perfect Bound books varies according to the quantity and number of pages but can be as little as two days*. Check the timer to see how quickly we can dispatch your order and choose our express service, for a little extra, if you need it faster.

*If ordered before 12 noon. Allow one extra day if ordered after 12 noon.

All orders are dispatched by reputable national carriers on a next working day service. This will usually arrive by 5pm although please be aware once goods have left our premises we have no influence on when they are delivered. If you would like to upgrade to a AM or Saturday delivery, you can do this at checkout.

UK company with a reliable track record:

Flexpress started life back in 1989 and are UK based keeping British people in jobs. Everything we offer is printed and finished in-house by us as at our 8000 square foot premises in Leicestershire. We're proud of our facilities and welcome visitors by appointment subject to any legislative restrictions.

Your satisfaction guaranteed

We take quality and customer service very seriously. Our right-first-time approach coupled with cutting edge technology and professional team mean we're confident enough to offer a total satisfaction guarantee. If through any fault of ours, there's an issue with your printing, we'll always arrive at a solution to leave you 100% happy.

 

FAQs - PUR Perfect Bound Books

How strong is PUR binding?

PUR adhesive forms a chemical reaction with the pages of your book which, after just 24 hours, is stronger than than the paper itself. In other words if you're trying to pull a page out of a PUR bound book, the paper will tear before the glue gives.

Does it stay strong in very warm climates?

Yes. Unlike EVA hot-melt adhesive, PUR withstands extremes in temperature. Once it has formed its bond with the paper, it won't even melt if you put it in the oven! Likewise, even in the fridge, it won't go brittle and break.

What are the disadvantages of PUR binding?

The disadvantages are predominantly for the printing or binding company: PUR binding requires more daily cleaning and maintenance, is more expensive than EVA and unlike EVA takes 24 hours to fully cure. For the buyer though, there are no disadvantages, only advantages.

Will the spine crack or break?

Only with extreme abuse. You can try to press flat a PUR spine and it will maintain its strength and integrity whereas an EVA glued spine will break. Thicker papers, coated papers or even papers with the grain direction running perpendicular to the spine can cause problems with EVA adhesive whereas PUR takes all of these in its stride.

Why is it best to laminate covers?

In printing terms, book covers take a lot of punishment. When they are folded, the fibres of the paper crack causing unsightly white lines in the print and weak spots in the material. Adding a layer of plastic laminate to the cover makes the book much more durable and capable of being handled over and over again.

What is the best paper to use for pages?

Novels and colouring books are generally on uncoated paper whereas catalogues, brochures and books containing important photographic images tend to be best on coated papers such as silk or gloss. We'd generally recommend silk over gloss, simply because the less reflection a page has, the easier it is to read.

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File Check

All files supplied go through our 10 point file check

Quality

We use only high quality, responsibly sourced papers

Dispatch

Express, Standard or Saver dispatch options available

Delivery

Completely FREE delivery to all mainland UK addresses