Thesis & Dissertation Binding
We offer the following types of thesis binding for all universities:
- Wire binding
- Spiral binding
- Channel binding
- Full cloth soft binding
- Thermal crimped binding
- Hard case binding with embossing on either the spine only or the spine and front cover.
Guidelines for Cambridge University
Cambridge University Student Registry Ph.D. binding specifications.
Format:
A4, 100gsm white paper. Please note that letter or U.S. letter format will not be accepted.
Margins:
3cm on the binding edge and 2cm on the three remaining edges. Please ensure that fold-outs and diagrams produced have reasonable margins and that page numbers, headers and footers are away from the edges.
Examiners’ copies: the preference is for single-sided print.
Cambridge University Library/Department copies: the preference is for double-sided (duplex) print.
Soft Binding
If a soft bound copy is submitted in the following format eg. comb or spiral it will certainly be necessary to provide a new copy for hard binding as these create holes that would weaken conventional binding and will lead to an unacceptable loss of binding margin.
The following versions are recommended as in some circumstances they could be used as donor copies for hard binding:
Full cloth soft binding in Arbelave Library buckram. Colour choice up to the individual. Lettered on spine in gold (hot foil embossing, not digital foil printing) with candidate’s initials and surname, degree and year running from top to bottom. This must all be in capital letters (apart from Ph.D.)
-acetate soft binding (a clear plastic front cover with a black cloth spine and back). No lettering as the title page is visible.
-channel (metal) binding (a clear plastic front cover with a flat metal spine and black card back). No lettering as the title page is visible.
-thermal crimped binding (a clear front cover and frosted back). No lettering as the title page is visible.
Hard Case Binding
Preferably to be sewn on an OMCOA oversewing machine or oversewn sections that are then hand sewn.
Hard case binding to be bound in the traditional method ie. spine rounded and backed, cloth material to be Arbelave Library buckram (as recommended by the University Library). Colour choice is up to the individual. In general, the thickness of a single volume (excluding the case) should not exceed 7cm. Lettering on the spine (hot foil embossing, not digital foil printing) should consist of title, initials and surname in gold running from top to bottom. This must all be in capital letters (unless part of the title requires lower case).
If the thesis or dissertation consists of more than one volume, the spine must also bear the number of each volume.