Bookbinding
High-performance adhesives for publishing,
bookbinding, and graphic arts.
There is no "best glue" for bookbinding in absolute terms: there is the right glue for that combination of binding, paper, and use: choosing it well means a product that lasts over time.
Sewn by thread, milled/corrugated (paperback) or hardback one-shot / two-shot. The milled is the most delicate: all the hold is entrusted to the adhesive, not to the seam.
Usocoated paper is absorbent and "easy". The coated, painted or plasticized ones are non-absorbent and difficult: they require high adhesion and high performance technologies.
From 80 g/m² (simple) to 150 g/m² and above (difficult): the higher the weight, the greater the stress on the spine and the greater the need for a high-performance formulation.
Some inks release oils that migrate into the spine and compromise adhesion. A quality adhesive, resistant to migration, guaranteeing excellent and long-lasting results.
Determine the required open time and set time. A fast line requires a quick grip; the correct technology must be combined with the production rate.
Extreme heat or cold changes everything: some technologies soften in the heat and become brittle in the cold, others remain stable over a wide temperature range.
When it's convenient: the versatile and economical standard, with grip very fast. Ideal for uncoated papers and medium-to-lightweights, for print runs where speed and cost are key.
Limitations: Less suitable for heavy coated papers.
See EVA hot melts →When it's convenient: EVA evolution for fast lines, greater thermal stability, lower adhesive consumption, and cleaner equipment.
Limitations: properties thermoplastics.
See the metallocenes and APAO →When it's best: when maximum hold and durability are required. Polyurethane crosslinks with moisture and creates an elastic film that holds coated, varnished, and laminated materials, resists the migration of ink oils, and is resistant to a wide temperature range. Low application quantities.
Limitations: Requires cross-linking time (approximately 12-24 hours) before applying the product; users subject to REACH training on isocyanates (Restriction 74).
See PUR hot melts →When it's convenient: cold work, covers, binders, plate gluing, and manual or low-speed operations. Low VOC.
Limits: longer drying times long; less suitable for non-absorbent surfaces.
See PVA vinyl glues →When it's convenient: Completing a high-quality hardback book, gilding, inserting endpapers, and operations requiring high quality and cleanliness.
Limitations:Specialized application, not intended for gluing the spine of perfect binding.
See protein glues →It depends on the paper and the destination. EVA is cheaper and quicker, excellent on absorbent papers and standard runs. PUR is more expensive and requires cross-linking, but offers superior hold and durability, resists oil migration and holds coated, plasticized materials and temperature changes. For difficult papers or valuable volumes, PUR is the reference choice.
Yes. Reactive PUR also works well on coated and medium-heavy weight fabrics, becoming a valid alternative to thread-sewn fabrics. For very thick or heavily used volumes, stitching remains the most robust solution.
PUR hardens by cross-linking with humidity, with indicative times of 12-24 hours depending on the environment and the substrate. If the volume is stressed before completion, pages may come loose: it is important to respect the deadlines.
Yes. The heavier the paper, the greater the force that tends to push the spine open, so you need an adhesive with superior adhesion and flexibility. Above 150 gsm, and especially on coated paper, PUR is generally the safest choice.
Some inks release oils that migrate into the spine and weaken the adhesive-to-paper bond. Choosing a product formulated to resist migration prevents peeling, returns, and disputes.
The most reliable way is to test. Send us a sample of your paper, specifying the binding, weight, ink type, machine, and intended use: our laboratory will identify and validate the most suitable formulation.
