Stapled Booklets

How many pages a stapled booklet can hold

Saddle-stitch stapling, two staples through the centre fold, is the fastest and most cost-effective way to bind a shorter document, and it's the right choice for programmes, short reports, brochures and small magazines rather than anything with a large page count.

There's a practical page limit to this method: too many sheets and the staples can't hold the spine together properly, and the booklet won't fold or sit flat. As a rough guide, saddle-stitching suits documents up to around 60 pages, beyond which perfect binding or another method becomes more practical.

Page count and folding for saddle-stitch booklets

Because the booklet folds flat down the centre, page layout needs to account for this at the design stage, particularly for any image or design element that spans across the centre spread. If you're not sure how your page count and layout will fold, send it over and we'll check before printing.

Adding a cover to a stapled booklet

For a programme or short brochure, page count usually works out in multiples of four, since each printed sheet folds to create four pages. If your content doesn't divide evenly, we can advise on adding a blank page or adjusting layout rather than leaving an awkward half-used final sheet.

Saddle-stitched booklets are one of the more cost-effective ways to print a short document in bulk, which makes them a practical choice for event programmes, information leaflets or short reports where you need a genuine quantity rather than a handful of copies.

A card cover, slightly heavier than the inner pages, gives a stapled booklet a more finished look and adds a small amount of protection to the pages inside, worth considering for anything that will be handled or kept rather than read once and discarded.

About Stapled Booklets

Order stapled booklets from Star Printers in Tooting, London. Pricing depends on your exact requirements — call 020 8123 6699 or contact us for a quote.

Binding turns loose pages into a finished document, and the right method depends on how the document will be used and, for students, what your university or department requires. Spiral and wire binding let pages lie flat and can be useful for working drafts, perfect binding gives a flat, glued spine similar to a paperback for a polished final copy, and hardback or thread-sewn binding suit documents that need to last or look formal. Page count, cover choice and paper weight all affect the finished thickness and price.

Best for

dissertations, portfolios, manuals, reports and presentation documents.

What to confirm

Page count, binding style, cover requirements, paper choice and your final submission deadline.

Need help with your file?

Not sure about bleed, resolution or the best material, or don't have finished artwork at all? We offer a free design service to get your file print-ready. Call 020 8123 6699 or contact us before placing the order.

Can I order for a tight deadline?

Call us with the product, artwork and deadline before travelling or arranging delivery. We will confirm the production options available for your job.

Booklet Sizes & Stock

Size	A4 folded to A5, or A5 as standard
Binding	Saddle-stitched (stapled) spine
Cover	Same stock throughout, or a heavier cover option

Not sure what suits your job? Call 020 8123 6699 or contact us and we'll confirm before you order.

Stapled Booklets: frequently asked questions

How many pages can a stapled booklet have?

Saddle-stitching suits shorter documents, typically up to around 40-60 pages depending on paper weight, tell us your page count and we'll confirm.

Can I have a different cover stock to the inside pages?

Yes, a heavier cover with lighter inner pages is a common combination, ask us about the options.

What's this method best for?

Programmes, menus, small brochures and short reports.

Related printing services

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Ordering for a deadline? Read our dissertation and thesis binding guide for binding types and what to check with your university.