What Is Saddle Stitch Booklet Printing?

Saddle stitch is a binding method where folded sheets are nested together and fixed with two or more staples through the spine fold. It is the most common and affordable way to bind a booklet. It works best for booklets of around 8 to 64 pages, and the page count must divide by 4.

If you have ever held a stapled magazine, a school programme or a restaurant menu with a folded spine, you have held a saddle stitch booklet. It is simple, neat and affordable, which is why it is the first choice for so many jobs.

But there are details worth knowing before you order: how it gets its name, how folding and stapling are done properly, what the page limits are, and when another binding may suit you better.

Where does the name come from?

The name comes from the way the booklet is held during binding. The folded sheets are draped over a saddle-shaped support, like a rider on a horse. The stapler then goes through the fold from the outside. The same name stuck, even though the machines are more modern now.

How saddle stitch booklet printing works

1. The pages are arranged (imposed) on large sheets. Each sheet carries four pages. For more on this, see how to arrange pages for booklet printing.
2. The sheets are printed on both sides.
3. Each sheet is folded in half. Machines give a crisp, straight crease.
4. The sheets are nested. The cover sheet goes on the outside, and the inner sheets sit inside it.
5. Staples are driven through the fold. Usually two staples, one near the top and one near the bottom. Larger booklets can have more.
6. The edges are trimmed. The three open sides are cut straight and clean.

The result is a booklet that opens flat and has each page in the right order. If you want a deeper look at the whole process, read what booklet printing is and how it works.

How to fold and staple a booklet yourself

If you are making a small booklet at home, you can do saddle stitch by hand. It takes a bit of patience, but the result can look good.

What you need

• Your printed sheets, in the right order
• A bone folder, or the back of a spoon, to crease the fold
• A long-reach stapler, or a standard stapler and a bit of care
• A ruler and a pencil
• A cutting mat and a craft knife if you want to trim the edges

Steps

1. Fold each sheet in half one by one. Press the crease with a bone folder so it is sharp and flat.
2. Nest the sheets inside each other. Check the page order by flipping through.
3. Mark the staple positions. Place a pencil mark on the fold, about a quarter of the way down from the top, and another a quarter of the way up from the bottom. Add a third in the middle for larger booklets.
4. Open the booklet and lay it flat, with the cover facing down.
5. Staple through the fold from the inside out, so that the staple legs sit on the outside. Press the legs down flat.
6. Close the booklet and press it flat under a heavy book for a few minutes.
7. Trim the edges if you want a clean finish. Use a sharp knife and a metal ruler.

A standard office stapler usually cannot reach the middle of an A4 sheet. If you do not have a long-reach stapler, you can staple each sheet from the outside before folding. But the result will look a bit different.

If you are printing at home, read our guides on Word booklet printing and PDF booklet printing first so the page order is right.

How many pages can a saddle stitch booklet have?

The minimum is 8 pages, though 4 is possible. The maximum depends on paper thickness. With standard paper, you can go up to around 64 pages. With thick paper, the limit falls, because the folded sheets get too bulky and spring open.

Here is a rough guide:

These are guides only. Your printer will tell you the limit for their machines and paper. For more detail about page counts, see how many pages a booklet can have.

When a booklet has more pages than saddle stitch can handle, switch to perfect binding, where the pages are glued along a flat spine.

Advantages of saddle stitch

• Affordable: It is usually the cheapest booklet binding.
• Quick: The process is fast, which helps with tight deadlines.
• Lies flat: The booklet opens flat, which is great for reading and for menus.
• Lightweight: Easy to post, hand out or leave on tables.
• Flexible: Works with many sizes, papers and finishes.

Limitations to be aware of

• Page limit: Not suited to very thick publications.
• No printed spine: The spine is too thin for text. If you want a title on the spine, choose perfect binding.
• Creep: On thicker booklets, the inner pages push outwards slightly, so the trimmed edge can show different margins. Good printers adjust for this.
• Staples: Some people prefer a staple-free look for premium projects.

When should you choose saddle stitch?

Saddle stitch is a great match for:

• Menus and drinks lists
• Event programmes and orders of service
• Product catalogues and lookbooks
• Newsletters and magazines
• Training and information booklets
• School and club handbooks

If you need a more luxurious feel, a thicker cover or a special paper helps. Our luxury printing range gives you ideas.

Tips for a neater saddle stitch booklet

1. Choose a heavier cover. A thicker cover paper makes the booklet feel more solid.
2. Keep text away from the spine. Leave at least 10mm on the inner edge.
3. Use a page count that fits. Do not waste blank pages.
4. Mind the creep. For thicker booklets, ask your printer how they handle it.
5. Keep important images off the centre spread. A face or text crossing the fold can look broken.
6. Order a proof. For big jobs, a sample copy prevents expensive surprises.

Frequently asked questions

What is saddle stitch booklet printing?

It is booklet printing where the folded sheets are bound with staples through the spine fold.

How do you staple a booklet?

Fold the sheets, nest them, mark the staple positions on the fold, and staple through the fold from the inside using a long-reach stapler.

What is the difference between saddle stitch and perfect binding?

Saddle stitch uses staples through the fold and suits thinner booklets. Perfect binding glues the pages to a flat spine and suits thicker ones.

How many staples does a saddle stitch booklet have?

Two is the standard for most sizes. Larger formats may have three or more.

Get your saddle stitch booklets printed

We print, fold and staple booklets to your size and paper choice. See our booklet printing page, or get a quote to compare options.