Bindery Services Explained
Everything that happens after printing—folding, cutting, binding, laminating, and finishing. Learn how bindery transforms printed sheets into polished, professional products.
What is Bindery?
In the printing industry, bindery (also called print finishing) refers to all the operations that transform printed sheets into finished products. After ink hits paper, bindery takes over—cutting to size, folding into brochures, binding pages into books, and adding protective coatings or specialty finishes.
At MCI, all bindery happens in-house. We don't outsource finishing, which means faster turnaround, better quality control, and no coordination headaches. Our bindery department handles everything from simple cutting to complex die-cutting and perfect binding.
Bindery Services We Offer
Our in-house bindery department handles every type of print finishing.
Folding
Transform flat sheets into tri-folds, bi-folds, gate-folds, z-folds, and more. Essential for brochures, mailers, and inserts.
- Tri-fold (letter fold)
- Bi-fold (half fold)
- Z-fold (accordion)
- Gate-fold
- Roll fold
- Map fold
Cutting & Trimming
Precision cutting to exact specifications. We cut everything from business cards to large format sheets with guillotine and rotary cutters.
- Guillotine cutting
- Rotary trimming
- Bleed trimming
- Custom size cutting
- Score and cut
Binding
Multiple binding options for books, catalogs, reports, and presentations. From simple stapling to perfect binding.
- Saddle stitch (staple)
- Perfect binding (glued spine)
- Wire-O binding
- Coil binding
- Comb binding
- Case binding
Laminating
Protect and enhance printed materials with lamination. Available in gloss, matte, and soft-touch finishes.
- Gloss lamination
- Matte lamination
- Soft-touch lamination
- Spot lamination
- Pouch lamination
Die-Cutting
Create custom shapes, window cutouts, and unique formats. Our CNC router and die-cutting equipment handle any shape.
- Custom shape cutting
- Window cutouts
- Rounded corners
- Tab cutting
- Perforating
- Scoring
Specialty Finishing
Premium finishes that make your materials stand out. From foil stamping to embossing to UV coating.
- Foil stamping
- Embossing/debossing
- Spot UV coating
- Aqueous coating
- Numbering
- Hole drilling
Finishing for Common Projects
| Project Type | Typical Finishing |
|---|---|
| Brochures | Folding (tri-fold, bi-fold), scoring, aqueous coating |
| Catalogs | Saddle stitch or perfect binding, trimming, cover coating |
| Business Cards | Cutting, rounded corners, spot UV, foil stamping |
| Postcards | UV coating, rounded corners, custom die-cuts |
| Presentation Folders | Die-cutting, scoring, pocket gluing, foil stamping |
| Reports & Proposals | Coil or wire-O binding, laminated covers, tab cutting |
The In-House Advantage
Many print shops outsource bindery work, adding days to your timeline and introducing quality risks. At MCI, printing and finishing happen under one roof—our roof.
Faster Turnaround
No shipping between facilities. Jobs move directly from press to finishing.
Better Quality
Our team controls every step. If something's wrong, we catch it immediately.
Single Point of Contact
One vendor, one relationship. No finger-pointing when issues arise.
Bindery FAQs
What is bindery in printing?▼
Bindery refers to all the finishing operations that happen after printing. This includes cutting, folding, binding, laminating, die-cutting, and specialty finishes. Bindery transforms printed sheets into finished products like brochures, books, business cards, and more.
What is the difference between saddle stitch and perfect binding?▼
Saddle stitch binding uses staples through the spine fold—best for thinner publications up to about 64 pages. Perfect binding uses glue to attach pages to a flat spine (like a paperback book)—required for thicker publications and gives a more premium appearance. Page count must be divisible by 4 for saddle stitch.
When should I use lamination vs. UV coating?▼
Lamination encases the entire piece in plastic film—extremely durable, water-resistant, and tear-resistant. Best for menus, ID cards, or materials that will be handled frequently. UV coating applies a liquid coating that dries hard—protects against scuffing and fingerprints while being more economical than lamination. UV coating is our standard finish for postcards and business cards.
What is die-cutting used for?▼
Die-cutting creates custom shapes beyond simple rectangles. Common uses include: presentation folder pockets, business cards with rounded corners, window cutouts in boxes to show products, custom-shaped door hangers, and packaging with unique shapes. Die-cutting can also add perforations for tear-off sections.
How do folding options affect my design?▼
Each fold style creates different panel sizes and reading order. For a tri-fold brochure, the inside flap must be slightly narrower to fold properly. Gate-folds hide the interior until opened—great for reveals. Z-folds allow content to be read sequentially like steps. We recommend consulting with us during design to ensure proper panel sizing.
Explore Our Print Services
Need Help With Your Project?
Not sure which finishing options are right for your project? Our team can recommend the best approach for your goals and budget.