Binding Cover Materials: Leather, Poly, Cardstock & Linen

The material is the first thing a reader feels, long before they read a word. Here are the four most common cover materials, profiled the way you would judge a fabric swatch. They are one part of our complete binding covers guide.

Leather-look: the executive finish

Leather-look binding covers mimic the grain and weight of leather without the cost or upkeep. They signal authority, which is why they turn up on annual reports and board books.

•       Feel: smooth, substantial, slightly cool.

•       Best for: executive reports, proposals, awards.

•       Watch out for: fingerprints on the darkest shades.

Poly: the workhorse

Polypropylene covers are flexible, tear-resistant and easy to wipe clean. Clear binding covers are commonly made from poly, which makes them popular where the first page should show through.

•       Feel: smooth and light, with some flex.

•       Best for: training manuals, frequently handled documents.

•       Watch out for: they can scratch if stacked without protection.

Cardstock: the economical choice

Heavy paper stock gives you a printed, colour-friendly cover at a low cost. It is the usual choice for soft binding covers and high-volume runs.

•       Feel: matte and paper-like.

•       Best for: classroom sets, internal reports, short-life documents.

•       Watch out for: corners and edges wear faster than poly or leather-look.

Linen: the classic texture

Linen binding covers have a woven surface that reads as traditional and considered. It is the same texture people associate with hardcover books.

•       Feel: textured, warm.

•       Best for: thesis and dissertation binding, legal and academic documents, memory books.

•       Watch out for: a textured surface makes fine printing less crisp.

Quick rating table

Ratings are general guidance. Specific products vary.

Which one should you choose?

Start with the audience, not the material. A client deliverable justifies leather-look. A classroom set does not. For more on the clear option, read clear/frosted vs. solid covers, and for a step-by-step shortlist see our buying guide. Peleman's thermal covers come as Spine, Flex, Soft, Hard and Custom, so you can compare finishes in the thermal binding collection.

Keep reading

•       how binding covers work: Start here if you are new to covers.

•       the pros and cons of clear covers: Decide when to show the first page and when to hide it.

•       the anatomy of a binding cover: Learn what each part of a cover does.

•       executive report covers: See what makes a cover premium.

•       our binding cover buying guide: Answer five questions and pick the right cover.