Hi Mike,

There are few variables to consider when looking at lie-flat binding options. This is one of those questions that comes down to the bindery machinery, binding method and paper used. There are many types of bindings now that are quite good for photojournalism, so if you are getting your book professionally bound, you could request samples from the bindery first to see their quality. You could probably get good feedback from binderies based on the needs you mentioned above.

Perhaps the reason you are seeing the threads and holes is that there is less glue on the spine as would typically be used for a lie-flat binding, due to the binder not wanting excess glue visible down the center of your photo spreads. Less glue on the spine will enable a clearer image but will result in a looser spine. You might want to look into perfect binding (as opposed to Smyth sewn) for this project, as this would allow for a more flexible spine. Glossy paper, as we suspect you would be using for photos, is also less forgiving for any imperfections and will mean the thread, holes or glue would become more obvious.

We wish you luck!

The Paperblanks^® Team

What are your thoughts about this?

Thanks so much for any guidance you can give!
Mike

Hi Norman,

Thanks for the great question! We’ve talked to one of our in-house binders, and here’s what he had to say:
“I would say that with smyth sewn binding you would be able to get a soft-cover book to lay flat easily. But only if the soft cover is easily folded material. I say this because some of the leather covers I’ve seen on the market are soft, but so thick that they cannot fold very well at the hinge area. As long as the hinge area of the cover is flexible, a smyth sewn bookblock will lie flat. If the soft cover is a paper cover, I would recommend scoring a hinge for the paper to easily fold.”

Hope that helps!
The Paperblanks^® Team

Hi Jayson. Check out our interview with a couple of book-binders we work with as they recommend some good book-binding schools, courses and masters.
Thanks for your interest and let us know if you have any further questions!
The Paperblanks Team