What Multipage Format is Right for You?

Got a project that needs more than a single page? From slick retail Catalogues to creative Zines, the format you choose shapes how your content is received. The right document type can elevate your message, reflect your brand and make your audience actually want to pick it up and read it.

But with so many options out there, it can be hard to know where to start. This guide walks you through the most popular multipage formats including Catalogues, Manuals, Newspapers, Magazines and Zines and breaks down which binding type works best for each. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which format suits your project, your audience and your budget.

Catalogues

A well-designed Catalogue does a lot of the heavy lifting for your brand. Catalogues are perfect for showcasing retail product ranges, professional services or portfolios and when done right, they feel less like a brochure and more like an experience.

For a premium, retail-ready finish, perfect binding is the go-to choice. This method creates a flat, book-style spine that looks sharp on shelves and in client meetings alike. It’s the kind of format that commands attention and presents your content with the credibility it deserves. Lay-flat spiral bound Catalogues also work brilliantly for business-to-business directories, where clarity and ease of navigation really matter.

If budget is a consideration or you need a higher-volume print run, saddle stitch and spiral binding are both solid alternatives, offering flexibility without sacrificing quality.

Best for: Retail product ranges, service directories, client portfolios
Binding options: Perfect bound, saddle stitch, spiral bound

Manuals

Manuals are the unsung heroes of workplace documentation. Whether you’re putting together a comprehensive training module, a compliance policy or a step-by-step onboarding guide, the format needs to be practical and professional.

Spiral binding is particularly well suited to Manuals, because it allows the document to lie completely flat when open—no need to hold the pages down while you’re working through instructions or taking notes. For heavier, more complex documents, perfect binding adds a polished, structured finish. If you need something lightweight and cost-effective, saddle stitch works well for shorter manuals with a lower page count.

Best for: Training materials, compliance documents, operational procedures
Binding options: Perfect bound, saddle stitch, spiral bound

Magazines

Magazines bring a modern, editorial quality to print that’s hard to replicate with any other format. They’re ideal for putting a fresh spin on traditional brochures, creating event programmes or producing your own branded publication.

Saddle stitch binding is the standard for magazines and for good reason. Sturdy staples placed along the spine keep pages securely in place while maintaining a sleek, lightweight feel that’s comfortable to hold and easy to read. The result is a format that looks considered and professional without being bulky.

You can personalise your magazine further with a range of sustainable or premium paper stocks and customisable cover option including foiled finishes for an added touch of luxury that really stands out.

Best for: Brand magazines, event programmes, brochures, editorial content
Binding options: Saddle stitch

Zines

Zines have made a serious comeback. Originally rooted in independent publishing and subcultures, the Zine format has evolved into a versatile creative tool embraced by artists, designers, photographers and small businesses alike.

Custom Zines are a brilliant choice for portfolios, self-publishing projects or any piece of work where you want to make a bold, individual statement. They also make a compelling alternative to traditional event programmes, something guests will actually hold onto rather than leave behind. Choose from premium or sustainable paper stocks, a range of sizes and fully customisable covers and inner pages to make each Zine entirely your own.

Best for: Creative portfolios, self-publishing, art projects, event programmes
Binding options: Saddle stitch

Newspapers

There’s something undeniably eye-catching about a Newspaper. As a print format, it carries a sense of authority and newsworthiness which is exactly why it works so well for brand storytelling, product launches and promotional campaigns that need to make an impact.

Creating your own custom newspaper is more straightforward than you might think. You can choose from two size options: A3 flat (folded to A4) or A4 flat (folded to A5), giving you that authentic broadsheet feel in a more practical, easy-to-handle format.

Paper stock choices include Silk 115gsm for crisp, vibrant colour reproduction, Recycled Silk 130gsm for a more sustainable option or Uncoated 80gsm for a classic matte finish that nods to traditional newsprint.

Best for: Brand campaigns, event promotion, product launches, creative editorial
Binding options: Saddle stitch

Binding types: what would work best?

Not sure which binding method is right for your project? Here’s a quick breakdown of each option, followed by a comparison table to help you decide.

Perfect binding

Pages are stacked, glued along the spine with a strong, flexible adhesive, and trimmed to create clean, uniform edges. The cover is then attached directly to the spine. The result is a sleek, book-style finish that works beautifully for higher page counts between 20 and 420 pages. It’s an excellent choice when you want your document to feel premium and polished.

Pricing: From £40
Minimum Pages: 20
Maximum Pages: 420
Minimum Quantity: 1
Production Time: From 3 Days
Delivery: From 1 Day
Cover Type: Paperback

Saddle stitch binding

Folded sheets are stacked together and stapled along the spine crease. It’s one of the most widely used binding methods for a reason, it’s cost-effective, reliable and produces a clean, professional finish. Best suited to documents between 8 and 84 pages.

Pricing: From £22
Minimum Pages: 8
Maximum Pages: 84
Minimum Quantity: 1
Production Time: From 1 Day
Delivery: From 1 Day
Cover Type: Paperback

Spiral binding

Holes are punched along one edge of the page stack, with a choice of top or left edge binding and a continuous wire coil is threaded through to hold everything together. The real advantage here is lay-flat functionality: the book opens completely flat and stays that way, making it ideal for documents that need to be referenced hands-free, like training manuals or study guides.

Pricing: From £15
Minimum Pages: 4
Maximum Pages: 412
Minimum Quantity: 1
Production Time: From 2 Days
Delivery: From 1 Day
Cover Type: Paperback

Still Not Sure Which Format’s Right for You?

If you’re still not quite sure which format is the right fit for your project, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Take a look at our Book Printing and Binding guide for a deeper dive into your options, with all the detail you need to choose with confidence.

Find your perfect format

Choosing the right document type comes down to three things: what you’re communicating, who you’re communicating it to, and the impression you want to leave. A spiral-bound training manual and a hardback coffee table book serve very different purposes—but both can be exactly right for the project they’re designed for.

If you’re still weighing up your options, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Whether you’re printing 50 zines for an art show or 5,000 catalogues for a product launch, we’re here to help you make the right call from the very start.