EXPOSED SEWING: A BINDING WITH CHARACTER AND A FLAT OPENING

Bare spine, visible thread, sections on show: exposed sewing reveals how the book is made. A binding with character, which opens perfectly flat and is noticed straight away.

A bare spine, with no glued cover

The sections are sewn with thread as in a sewn and glued binding, but the spine is not covered: the sewing stays visible and becomes part of the book's identity. The cover, soft or rigid, is attached without dressing the spine.

Every copy therefore shows its structure — the number of sections, the regularity of the thread, the quality of the gathering.
That calls for flawless execution: on this kind of book, nothing is hidden.

A graphic statement

Exposed sewing is as much an editorial choice as a production one: it places the book on the side of the object, of craftsmanship and of care given to publishing.

It also offers the best possible opening: the book lies completely open, which showcases double-page spreads, full-width photographs and illustrated plates. As the spine cannot be printed, it is reserved for titles that do not depend on their spine on the shelf.

Exposed sewing at a glance

Thread-sewn and glued sections, with a bare, visible spine.
Complete opening, ideal for illustrated double-page spreads.
One or several sewing thread colours to choose from.
Soft or hard cover, depending on the effect you want.
Spine cannot be printed: to be factored into your distribution.
The cover can of course be embellished, for an even more striking result.

Which books is it for?

Art books and exhibition catalogues, photographers' monographs, independent editions, notebooks, architecture and design works, corporate publishing objects. For a comparable feel with a dressed spine, see hardcover binding (square or rounded spine).

Frequently asked questions

What is exposed sewing?

The sections are sewn and glued, and the spine is left bare: the thread and the folds are visible. No cover is glued to the spine, which gives the book its full opening and its workshop look.

Does the book open completely?

Yes, perfectly flat: it is the ideal binding for double-page images, sketchbooks and art books, where an illustration must never disappear into the gutter.

Is the bare spine fragile?

The thread is consolidated at the spine with adhesive or a reinforcing strip. The whole is solid; it is a deliberate aesthetic choice, which gains a patina with use rather than wearing out.

Can the spine be printed?

No, since there is no dressed spine. Plan the identification on the front and back covers, or add a belly band or a slipcase if the book has to be found on a shelf.