Miss Kitty’s scoop on
PUR-fect binding and five Book projects that benefit from PUR adhesive.
Polyurethane Reactive (PUR) is the most durable and flexible book binding glue available. PUR adhesive is most commonly associated with softcover books that are bound with the Perfect Binding method.
Because of its superior performance, PUR can be used in perfect bound applications where Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and other traditional adhesives may not be well suited.
PUR applications include:
1) Children’s Books –The flexibility of PUR adhesive prevents the spine from cracking when the book is opened wide or pressed down flat. Despite the tugging and twisting of small hands, the cover and pages remain securely fastened at the spine.
2) Frequently Used Books – Because it is so strong yet pliable, books bound with PUR adhesive are able to withstand the rigors of repeated opening and closing. It is nearly impossible to pull a page out of a book bound with PUR adhesive.
3) Subject to Extreme Temperatures – Whether your book will be used in temperatures as low as -40°F or as high as 200°F, the PUR binding will remain strong, flexible, and intact. No more fractured spines from the bitter cold or pages coming loose in the intense heat.
4) Relatively Few Pages – The recommended spine width for a traditional perfect bound book is around ¼”, but with PUR binding the spine can be as narrow as ⅛”. This is because PUR adhesive does not need as much surface area to firmly secure the book’s pages.
5) Glossy Pages – Unlike traditional perfect binding adhesives, PUR adheres extremely well to pages that have a smooth, glossy finish. This means the pages of your bound document can be finished with a glossy coating – such as a varnish, aqueous or UV coating.