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• Dissertation Binding and Printing | Options, Tips, & Comparison

Dissertation Binding and Printing | Options, Tips, & Comparison

Published on September 9, 2022 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on July 18, 2023.

Congratulations, you’ve finally finished your dissertation . It’s been professionally proofread and checked by a solid plagiarism checker .

The final step is printing your dissertation, which means choosing between:

• Types of binding
• Color vs. black & white

Single vs. double-sided

• Paper thickness

There are a few printing and binding services to choose from as well. This article presents a few options that can help you make the right decisions.

Printing service options

Table of contents

Types of dissertation binding, dissertation printing options, production and delivery times, last checks before printing, overview of printing and binding services, other interesting articles.

Binding keeps the pages of your dissertation together, and comes in a variety of price points. Spiral binding is cheaper, a hardcover book binding is much pricier.

The type of binding you choose can depend on:

• Guidelines from your university or department
• The version (draft vs. final)
• The type of work you’re submitting ( PhD vs. master’s thesis vs. undergraduate thesis )

Spiral binding (± $7)

• Professional appearance
• Opens flat, so browsing through the pages is easy
• Fairly inexpensive

Comb binding (± $5)

• Pages are easy to browse
• Binding can be opened and closed
• Can be cheap-looking

Fastback binding (± $8)

• Professional, book-like appearance
• Available in different colors
• Individual sheets can come loose with time

Paperback binding ($10–20)

This type of binding makes your dissertation more durable and professional. In most cases, it’s possible to add front and spine lettering.

• Durable and professional
• Book-like appearance
• Opening and browsing is less smooth than with spiral or comb binding

Hardback binding ($20–50)

• Customizable cover
• Quality comes at a price

Color vs. Black & White

Check your university’s guidelines to see if there is guidance about whether to print your dissertation in color or black & white. Note that printing in color is on average two to four times more expensive.

In general, a color-printed dissertation looks more professional, but it is often not required.

Printing double-sided is often cheaper than printing single-sided, due to the paper savings — it makes your dissertation half as thick. However, some universities require you to print your dissertation single-sided. Be sure to check the guidelines.

When printing your dissertation double-sided, pay attention to the following points:

• New chapters should start on the front side of the paper. You will need to take this into account and insert “blank pages” when preparing to print.
• Add a blank page after the title page so that the acknowledgments and abstract are not printed on the back of your title page.
• The page numbering is often placed in the bottom right on the right side of the page and bottom left on the left side. You can easily set this in Word by choosing “outside alignment”.
• Check your style guide to make sure there aren’t any rules for printing.

Paper weight

The thickness of the paper (measured in gsm or grams) is something most students don’t think about, but it does have a significant impact on the look and feel of your printed thesis or dissertation.

Standard printing paper has a weight of 75–90 gsm. For a bachelor’s or master’s dissertation, this is likely fine. If you want the paper to look and feel more professional and durable, a paper weight of 100–130 gsm is better. This is often used for PhD dissertations.

Number of copies

It is common to print three to five copies of your dissertation. Depending on your university’s guidelines, you might need to submit one to three copies to your supervisor and department. In addition, you might want to have a copy for yourself or your family.

The production time for printing and binding takes on average two days, and delivery takes at least another day. For an additional charge (ranging from +20 to +80%), the production and delivery time can be shortened.

Have a looming deadline? Your local print shop is likely able to print and bind your dissertation faster, and it eliminates delivery time. However, keep in mind that this is often a little more expensive.

Before sending your dissertation to a print shop, there are three things you should do:

• Save your file as a PDF By saving your file as a PDF, the formatting will be consistent on every computer. This way you prevent any unpleasant surprises, such as offset pages, when receiving your printed product.
• Check for language mistakes There’s nothing worse than finding a language mistake in your printed version. Make sure to proofread your dissertation or make use of a professional proofreading service .
• Update the contents page Before saving your dissertation as a PDF, don’t forget to update the table of contents and cross-check the page numbers listed there with the actual page numbers.

The table below provides an overview of two popular dissertation printing and binding shops, including information on delivery costs and review score.

*Prices are based on a spiral-bound dissertation of 40 pages , printed single-sided , in black , on 80-90gsm  paper, including a clear outer front and back cover .

**Prices are based on a hardback-bound dissertation of 200 pages , printed single-sided , in black , on 90-100gsm  paper.

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Printing & Binding a Thesis: The Ultimate How-to Guide

You have studied hard to make it this far. All the hard work towards researching and writing your Bachelor’s thesis, research paper or a different final paper is ending. You have completed your write-up and are ready to submit it to your supervisor. However, one important thing remains – Thesis printing and binding (or thesis binding/thesis printing).

You are probably wondering, “how do I print and bind my thesis? What is the best method and material to use? Where can I find the best service provider to print and bind my thesis?”

Almost every student asks these questions. Finding answers to these questions should no longer stress you out. We compiled resourceful tips that can help you navigate this stage successfully. Read on to gain insightful ideas that you can utilize when working on your thesis or any other research paper.

How do I go about printing and binding my thesis?

If this is your first time printing your research paper, it can be challenging to identify the best method and material to use. In this blog, you will find all the necessary information you need to make an informed decision.

What do I have to watch out for when printing my thesis?

When starting, you will likely ask yourself these questions: • Should the printout be coloured or black and white? • What is the best paper size, quality and brand? • Should the printout be single or double-sided? • How do I find the service provider offering the best services at affordable rates? You no longer have to worry about all that since we have put together all the information you need to answer the above questions.

What do I have to watch out for when binding a thesis?

The first thing you should consider is the guidelines given for your thesis or research paper. If your supervisor or institution has issued specific instructions, it is wise you adhere. Adhering to guidelines for content and structure contributes to your final mark.

If there are no instructions on how to bind your thesis, you can opt for different methods depending on your preferences and stage. For example, you can spiral-bind your regular term paper since it is cheaper and doesn’t have many pages. On the other hand, you may opt for leather binding for your major final paper since it has more pages and the leather is sturdier.

Which binding is the right one for my final paper?

There are several options available, and the choice often depends on your personal preference, institutional requirements, and budget. Here are some options for your final paper:

Leather binding for your thesis

Leather binding is an elegant method where the cover of your thesis is made from leather. This technique has been used for centuries and is highly regarded for its durability, aesthetic appeal, and luxurious feel. You can request the service provider to add corner protectors or decorations to endpapers and headbands for additional aesthetic appeal and structural support.

Recommendations: Leather binding is an excellent option for your; • Master thesis • Bachelor’s thesis • Dissertation • Research paper

Thermal binding for your thesis

This method uses heat to adhere pages together. The front cover is usually transparent, making your thesis title visible at a glance. You can choose different material designs and colours for the back cover.

Recommendation: It is fast, easy to use, and can bind relatively thick documents. It also creates a clean and polished look, making it an ideal final paper.

Softcover for your thesis

Choose a softcover if you want your thesis to look unique and stand out among your peers. Softcover allows you to design the cover with different pictures, writings, logos, or patterns. Simply put, you can design it the way you want. However, do not clutter it with irrelevant stuff since it’s your final paper and should appear professional.

Recommendation: Softcover binding is versatile since you can use it for different types of final papers. It is also cost-effective and allows for easy printing on the spine, making it simple to include the paper’s title, author, and other information. However, the softcover may not be durable, especially where the paper is stacked and retrieved many times. Additionally, it cannot contain many pages, such as those of a comprehensive dissertation.

Spiral binding for your thesis

This method is used to secure multiple pages of a document together. A continuous plastic or metal coil is threaded through small holes punched along the edge of the pages. The coil is then twisted into a tight spiral shape, effectively holding the pages together. Spiral binding utilizes a transparent front cover and a hard back cover.

Recommendation: It is suitable for small projects like term papers.

Where can I go for printing & binding a thesis?

There are several options available for research paper printing and binding, depending on your location. Some common places where you can get your thesis printed and bound include your school print services, local print shops, or order online.

Numerous online platforms specialize in printing. One of the best online prints is BachelorPrint . They offer online services where you can upload your thesis, select printout options, and have the final product delivered to your doorstep through their free express shipping.

How you benefit: • Your document is printed on a high-quality paper at an affordable price • A complete preview of your bound document before shipping • Free express shipping to your location • Your document is delivered on time and in perfect condition

Printing and binding a thesis – making sure nothing goes wrong!

We know that writing and printing your thesis is a serious investment of time, energy, and money. That’s why we have compiled relevant and insightful information that you need to print and bind your Bachelor’s thesis, term paper, or research paper.

We understand that you have the liberty to choose where to print your thesis. However, if you need a tried and tested online service provider, visit BachelorPrint. Their online platform is user-friendly, fast and effective. Once you get in touch with them, you are assured of a stress-free experience.

We wish you success as you finalize your thesis!

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Thesis Binding

Thesis Book Binding or Dissertation Book Binding is the conversion of your thesis or dissertation document into a printed and bound book format. Getting this done correctly involves several considerations that includes the Submission of your document for printing and binding, your choice of Paper, and the Style of binding you want.

SUBMITTING YOUR THESIS OR DISSERTATION FOR BINDING:

The first consideration for Thesis Book Binding or Dissertation Book Binding is whether you want your thesis or dissertation printed and bound for official submission or for your personal use, such as gifts to professors, departments, libraries, parents, sponsors, or you just want copies to preserve for future generations.

If you are officially submitting your Thesis Book Binding or Dissertation Book Binding books to your

institution, you must follow their official guidelines for paper, margins, and type of binding. Every institution has

guidelines and your can ask your department or your graduate studies department for the guidelines. The quote/

ordering process for each of our 3 main types of binding is designed to accommodate all the options that most

schools require.

Binding Options Our 3 main binding options are:

• Fabric Hardcover Binding with Gold Embossed Lettering and Emblem on the cover https://phdbookbinding.com/fabric-hard-cover/
• Printed Hardcover Binding with wraparound full color printing on the cover https://phdbookbinding.com/printed-hard-cover/
• Perfect Binding Softcover with wraparound full color printing on the cover https://phdbookbinding.com/perfect-binding/

But if you’re getting the books for personal use, then you have the option to choose the type of paper, binding and margin size that you prefer. Here again, our quote/order process contains all the options you might want.

Digital or Paper Submission

The second consideration is whether you want to submit a file or paper document(s) for publishing your Thesis or Dissertation. You have the option to place your order with a PDF file or with a paper document. Submitting a PDF file ( https://phdbookbinding.com/digital-printing/#2 ) of your Thesis or Dissertation allows you to do the following online, sit back and forget about it, and receive your books in the mail:

• Specify the size of your book
• Choose the type of paper you want for printing ( https://phdbookbinding.com/digital-printing/#9 )
•  Specify the pages you want to print in color. ( https://phdbookbinding.com/faq/#9 ) Yes, we allow you to specify the pages you want to print in color and you’ll be charged the color rate ONLY for the pages you specify,NOT for all the pages in your document.
• Specify the exact lettering you want on the cover ( https://phdbookbinding.com/gold-foil-emblem-and-lettering/ )
•  Specify the exact lettering you want on the spine ( https://phdbookbinding.com/gold-foil-emblem-and-lettering/ )
• Specify your school emblem for the cover or request a custom emblem ( https://phdbookbinding.com/gold-foil-emblem-and-lettering/#SealList )
• Choose the shipping speed you want for getting back the completed book(s)

Digital Submission

The option for submitting a PDF file for printing and binding is available for all the binding styles that we offer, including:

• Fabric Hardcover Binding with Gold Embossed Lettering and Decoration on the cover https://phdbookbinding.com/fabric-hard-cover/
•  Printed Hardcover Binding with wraparound full color printing on the cover https://phdbookbinding.com/printed-hard-cover/

Submitting a Paper document of your Thesis or Dissertation requires you to

(1) Print your document on the paper of your choice

(2) Fill out the Quote/Order form on this site for the type of Hardcover binding you want

(3) Specify the exact lettering you want on the cover

(4) Specify the exact lettering you want on the spine

(5) Choose the shipping speed you want for getting back the completed book(s)

(6) Print a form on our site that will include the details you entered PLUS final instructions for mailing your

paper document to us

(7) Ship to us your paper document(s) with instructions on form you will print from our site.

The option for submitting a paper document for binding ONLY is available ONLY for Hardcover binding.

Fabric Hardcover Binding with Gold Embossed Lettering and Decoration on the cover

https://phdbookbinding.com/fabric-hard-cover/

Printed Hardcover Binding with wraparound full color printing on the cover

https://phdbookbinding.com/printed-hard-cover/

Paper document submission is not available for Softcover Perfect Binding.

PAPER CHOICE

The second consideration for Thesis Book Binding or Dissertation Book Binding is choosing the type of paper that you want. We offer 5 types of paper as listed below and as explained here in greater detail ( https://phdbookbinding.com/digital-printing/ )

20lb regular or standard Copy Paper. This paper is ACID-FREE and is white in color. It does not have  a watermark. Acid Free paper is made from wood pulp, and it resists yellowing and brittleness over very long periods (measured in centuries). The production of Acid Free paper is also more environmentally friendly than acidic paper.

60lb regular or standard Copy Paper (also known as 24lb Copy Paper)*. This paper is ACID-FREE and is white in color. It does not have a watermark. Acid Free paper is made from wood pulp, and it resists yellowing and brittleness over very long periods (measured in centuries). The production of Acid Free paper is also more environmentally friendly than acidic paper. (See below for why this paper has 2 different names)

20lb, 25% Cotton Paper. This white paper is ACID-FREE and ARCHIVAL. It has a WATERMARK which is visible only when you shine a bright light behind the sheet. Archival paper has all the benefits of Acid-Free paper, except that it resists yellowing and brittleness even longer than ordinary Acid-Free paper. Another difference is that Cotton Paper is made with cotton pulp.

24lb, 100% Cotton Paper . This white paper is ACID-FREE and ARCHIVAL. It has a WATERMARK which is visible only when you shine a bright light behind the sheet. Archival paper has all the benefits of Acid-Free paper, except that it resists yellowing and brittleness even longer than ordinary Acid-Free paper. Another difference isthat Cotton Paper is made with cotton pulp. PLEASE NOTE that A4 (European Letter size) is NOT available in 100% cotton.

80lb Gloss-Coated Paper. This paper is ACID-FREE and is white in color. It does not have a watermark. But unlike regular copy paper, it is also coated with a gloss finish that makes it perfect for printing photos, charts & graphs, and more.

80lb Matte-Coated Paper. This paper is ACID-FREE and is white in color. It does not have a watermark. But unlike regular copy paper, it is also coated with a matte (non-gloss coating) finish that makes it perfect for printing photos, charts & graphs, and more.

BINDING STYLE

The binding style you choose depends first on whether you’re submitting officially to your institution or for personal use. We offer 3 types of binding Fabric Hardcover Binding with Gold Lettering and Gold Emblem ( https://phdbookbinding.com/fabric-hard-cover/ )

Most institutions require Fabric Hardcover Binding with gold lettering or gold emblem for official submission. You can also choose this type of binding for your own personal copies and as gifts because it is binding of the highest quality that is impressive in look and feel. Fabric Hardcover binding is high quality, archival binding that’s fit for the most demanding public or private library. Fabric options include:

• Classic Buckram fabric that is available in different colors,
• Contemporary Levant finish fabric also available in different colors
• Cowhide available in 3 colors

Lettering and emblem are applied to Fabric Hardcover binding with gold embossing

Printed Hardcover Binding ( https://phdbookbinding.com/printed-hard-cover/ )

Institutions may also allow Printed Hardcover Binding for Thesis and Dissertations. Printed Hardcover Binding allows:

• Background color of your choice
• Lettering color of your choice
• Full color emblem
• Image and text on back cover, or
• Wraparound full-color cover design

Printed Hardcover Binding can be compared to Fabric Hardcover Binding on this page: https://phdbookbinding.com/comparison/

Perfect Binding (Softcover, Paperback binding) ( https://phdbookbinding.com/perfect-binding/ )

Perfect Binding is Softcover, Paperback binding that allows all the options available for Printed Hardcover binding

The Ultimate How-To Guide for Printing and Binding a Thesis

You’ve arrived: all of your time spent studying and writing your research paper, Bachelor’s thesis, or other final work has come to a close. You’re almost ready to submit it, but first and foremost you must consider finishing your thesis.

When researching about finishing a thesis, a student constantly asks the same two questions: “How do I go about finishing my thesis?” as well as “Where will I go for printing and finishing my thesis?” Continue reading for some pointers on what to look for when getting a research paper printed and bound.

How-To Guide for Printing and Binding Your Thesis!

What is the process for printing and binding my thesis.

Because most students haven’t had the chance to do printing or to bind a research paper before, deciding which binding is best and what printing configurations to use might be tricky. We provide you with all of the information you need to know about printing and finishing a thesis.

What should I look out for when printing my thesis?

Students always have the same questions about printing a thesis:

• Is it in black and white or color?
• What type of paper is suitable?

That is why we have compiled some tips for publishing your thesis.

What should I look out for while binding a thesis?

Many students ask the “how” question since they are unsure of what form of finishing to utilize for their thesis. This is where it depends on the sort of final document: a research paper, for example, necessitates substantial investigation and work, but a standard term paper does not.

Their weighting varies: a typical term paper only accounts for a small amount of your grade, whereas your Bachelor’s thesis, Master’s thesis, or research paper is worth much more.

To be more specific, if your final paper is significant and you want to learn about finishing your dissertation, simple spiral finishing is not the way to go. Leather bound is the greatest alternative because it is more appropriate for your main final paper and is substantially more durable.

Many post-secondary colleges and universities have certain finishing requirements. As a result, it is preferable to first determine whether your university has any rules for printing and finishing a thesis. That is why we want to show you which binding to use based on the sort of final paper you are submitting.

Which binding is best for my final paper?

To begin with, there is a wide range of bindings available. That is why we will go over each of them with you so that nothing goes wrong in this regard.

Thesis binding in leather

Leather binding is the best option for your thesis. It looks professional and classy thanks to the leather-look solid cover. If you choose a leather finishing, you can also add custom embossing, a bookmark, or corner protectors to make your thesis look even more professional. Recommendation: A leather finishing is ideal for significant final works such as your research paper, dissertation, bachelor’s thesis, and master’s thesis.

Thermal binding for the thesis

Thermal finishing is the most adaptable of all. It has a translucent front cover that draws attention to the title of your thesis right away. It also has a leather-look rear cover in the color of your choice.

Recommendation : Thermal binding is ideal for modest research projects. It is also useful if you need many printouts of your finished page.

Softcover for your dissertation

We choose Softcover if you want your paper to stand out and appear more imaginative. This allows you to customize the cover anyway you like. When you choose softcover, you may let your creative juices flow with different fonts, logos, photos, or completely wacky designs.

But be cautious! You don’t want it to become overly cluttered! After all, it is still a research paper, therefore your end product should be professional. Recommendation: In general, softcover finishing can be used for any sort of final paper. However, there is a limit to the number of pages it can hold, making it less suitable for a full dissertation.

Spiral binding for the thesis

Spiral finish is the most elegant and easy. It’s similar to thermal finishing in that it features a transparent front cover and a colored, leather-look rear cover.

Spiral finishing, on the other hand, is not glued. Instead, spirals hold your thesis together. Spiral finishing is ideal for smaller research tasks, such as term papers. It is not suitable for major final papers such as a dissertation or research paper.

Where can I get a thesis printed and bound?

We’ve done the legwork for you, so you can easily find out where you may go for publishing a thesis, and where you’ll get the best output possible. It is advantageous to use an online service because you can place your order from the comfort of your own home, saving crucial time.

But, even with internet suppliers, you win some and lose some. During our study, one online service provider stood out from the crowd:

BachelorPrint is your go-to source if you need to finish your thesis. This online printing store has a large assortment of high-quality binders. Their free expedited shipping allows you to have your thesis in hand as soon as it is printed and bound.

How you will benefit: – Complimentary Express shipping – Online shop 3D preview of your binding and see inside-function – High-quality paper at reasonable costs

Ensure that nothing goes wrong when printing and binding a thesis!

Writing a thesis takes a significant amount of time. Everything will go well if you follow our suggestions for your research paper, Bachelor’s thesis, or term paper. Of course, where you get your thesis printed is entirely up to you, whether you go to a physical copy shop or order online.

However, if you want high-quality, stress-free thesis finishing, BachelorPrint is the place to go. Their user-friendly online shop makes it simple to put together your thesis, which is why we recommend it.

We wish you the best of luck with your thesis!

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Thesis binding and printing options

• By DiscoverPhDs
• November 29, 2020

If you have recently completed your dissertation congratulations are in order! But the work is not finished – you now have to get your dissertation in front of examiners in a professional format. There are a number of factors to consider when producing a physical copy of your thesis :

• Type of binding (for example: helical or softback)
• Paper size (are some pages better suited for A3?)
• Print options (single or double-sided?)
• Paper quality (a range of gsm options are available)

What is Thesis/Dissertation Binding?

Thesis binding involves fastening the physical pages of your dissertation together to produce a single presentable document. As simple as it sounds, there is a lot to get right, and dissertation binding is important in giving a good impression of your work.

What are the different types of dissertation binding?

Spiral/helical/wired binding.

Spiral binding (also known as helical binding) and wired binding are very common for bachelors and masters dissertations. These options give a professional look and allow pages to be rotated 360 degrees, making for easy reading. Spiral binding uses a plastic coil, whilst wire binding uses a metal wire.

Fastback/softback binding

Fastback binding (also referred to as softback binding) uses glue to keep your dissertation pages together. This is not a very common choice for dissertation binding as it is rather formal for bachelors and masters, and perhaps not formal enough for PhD theses. Fastback binding also comes with a risk of glue losing fixity over time leading to pages falling out.

Thermal binding

Thermal binding is not very common but can be used for bachelors or masters dissertations. This type of binding is permanent (so pages cannot be easily added/removed) but is generally inexpensive. Another disadvantage of thermal bindings is that pages cannot be opened 360 degrees (as with fastback binding).

Plastic comb binding

Comb binding involves punching holes down the side of the page and binding with a plastic comb strip. This binding option is also suitable for bachelors and masters dissertations. It is a cheap option but can sometimes become difficult to navigate as pages become stuck on the plastic combing. One advantage of plastic comb binding is that it is easy to add and remove pages.

Paperback binding

Paperback binding will give your manuscript the appearance of a book and comes with personalisation options i.e. a titled cover page, spine and back. This gives a very professional appearance, too formal for a bachelors or masters dissertation, but ideal for a PhD thesis.

Hardback binding

Hardback binding again gives a book like appearance, but is expensive and typically reserved only for PhD theses. In addition to custom titling, spine and back, there is a range of material and colour options for hardback binding e.g. the gold lettering you may have seen on academic books.

What Paper Size Should I use?

Most universities will provide very clear instruction on paper sizes, most often A4. However, some pages such as technical drawings or maps may be best shown on A3. In these cases ‘fold out’ pages are an option but must be approved by your university guidelines.

Print Options:

Check your university guidelines when deciding whether to print single or double sided. If printing double sided, be careful as some pages should not be printed back to back. For example, new chapters should start on the right hand page (of a double spread) so blank pages may be required.

What Paper Quality is Suitable?

Paper thickness is measured in grams per square metre (gsm). Although there is no ideal paper thickness, too thin and you risk your dissertation feeling low quality. Too high and you risk your dissertation pages feeling like cardboard, and again pointing to low quality.

Popular UK Services:

Ryman is an affordable thesis binding service, with a range of options for dissertations and theses. Ryman often have stored on University campuses or nearby, so you can check the services provided by your local store (as an alternative to ordering online).

Doxdirect is an online service which offers a large amount of customisation when choosing a thesis binding option. The door to door service also offers a wide range of delivery and production options so you get your bound thesis in your hand as quick as possible.

Thesis Online has been around for a long time (established in 1920), and have a very good reputation. They offer an online thesis binding service and have a hand online calculator which allows you to modify your binding, printing, and deliver options and see the impact on cost in real-time.

Things to Note:

Whichever service you use to bind your thesis or dissertation, there are a few important things to remember:

When using an online service check the turnaround time. Most services take around a week to print, bind, and deliver, though faster services are available at a cost. Some universities have an onsite printing service that students can use. These services likely offer binding options which satisfy your department’s dissertation submission requirements.

An electronic copy and physical copy of your dissertation will be read differently. Whilst consecutive pages are easy to compare on a computer screen, a physical copy may have pages printed on opposite sides of a single page (if double page printed) which makes side by side comparisons difficult. This is something to consider if your text frequently refers to images or tables overleaf.

Most thesis printing services only accept PDF file formats. Ensure that when you convert your dissertation to PDF that you review the document to ensure no errors occur during conversion.

Check your university dissertation guidance on margin requirements. It is also important to factor in margins when considering binding options. Typically a minimum margin of 2.5cm is required on the side of the page to be bound.

Although it comes with an additional cost, it may be useful to purchase personal copies of your bound thesis. You can then bring your bound copy to your Viva , and ensure that what you and your examiners are looking at are identical.

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Thesis Preparation Guide: Binding

• Support Services
• Formatting & Citing
• Copyrighting
• Publishing - ProQuest
• Archiving - SOAR@SU

Submitting Your Thesis to SU Libraries for Binding

You're required to submit TWO hard copies of your manuscript to the SU Libraries for binding: one copy for the Libraries' Archives (NABB) and one copy for the general collection. 

Submit the hard copies of your thesis to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) . Staff in the Office of Graduate Studies conducts a technical review of all paper copies of the manuscript for appropriate paper type, sequence of document, and formatting. After passing technical review, staff in the Office of Graduate Studies will deliver all approved paper copies to SU Libraries for binding. For assistance, please contact  Jessica Scott, Graduate Program Manager, at [email protected]. 

Preparing Your Thesis for Binding

Step 1:  Prepare two required hard copy of your thesis to be submitted to the SU Libraries for binding.  Binding of library copies are free to you.

• at least 25% rag content (a.k.a. cotton or high quality bond) paper
• 8.5 x 11 inches
• To allow for the binding process to not interfere with the text of your printed thesis,   margins (including appendices) should be one and one half (1 ½) inches on the left margin and one (1) inch on the top, right, and bottom margins 
• print on one side only 

Step 2:  Submit the required hard copies of your thesis to the Office of Graduate Studies for technical review and approval. 

______________________________________

Note: Staff in the Office of Graduate Studies conducts a technical review of all paper copies of the manuscript. If the technical review reveals significant formatting concerns, you may be referred back to your doctoral committee to make changes to your manuscript prior to approving it for the library collection. After passing technical review, staff in the Office of Graduate Studies will deliver all approved paper copies to SU Libraries for binding. 

Printing services

You can print your thesis using the Résumé Printing Station located in the Perdue Hall 141 IT Computer Lab. Instructions are located at the printer. You should bring your own high-quality resume paper.

Binding Departmental Copies

If your department requires a copy, or copies, of your thesis, you must prepare the required number of departmental copies and submit them to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) for technical review and approval. The OGS staff will deliver the approved departmental copy or copies to SU Libraries for binding.  

Binding Personal Copies

As a service to SU students, SU Libraries provides the option to have personal copies of a thesis project bound professionally. You must prepare your own print copies of your manuscript and submit them to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) for technical review and approval. The OGS staff will deliver the approved personal copy or copies to the SU Libraries for binding.

Binding Cost

• Binding library copies Free to students.
• Binding departmental and/or personal copies The Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) will cover binding costs for up to four (4) copies (1 department and/or 3 personal copies).
• Binding additional departmental copies Departments may opt to pay for additional copies for students ($26.50 per copy).
• Binding additional personal copies If you want to bind additional personal copies, the cost is $26.50 per copy. The payment can be cash or check. A check should be made out to Salisbury University.

Getting Bound Copies Back

The company that binds SU manuscripts makes periodic trips to SU Libraries to pick up raw copies and to return bound manuscripts.

When bound manuscripts are returned to SU Libraries, the two library copies are added to the Nabb Research Center Theses & Dissertations Collection and the general Stacks Collection and the remaining copies are given to Stephen Ford for distribution. Stephen will contact the student and department to verify where personal and departmental copies should go and to make arrangements for pick up or mailing. At least one copy will be sent to the originating department.

For questions regarding the distribution of bound manuscripts, please contact:

Stephen Ford Dr. Ernie Bond Curriculum Resource Center, Conway Hall 226 Email: [email protected] | Phone: 410-677-4602

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• Dissertation binding and printing

Dissertation Binding and Printing Options | Comparison and Tips

Published on 3 April 2019 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on 10 July 2019.

Your dissertation is finally finished, you got it proofread and checked for plagiarism . The final step is printing your dissertation, which means choosing between:

• Types of binding
• Colour vs. black & white

Single vs. double sided

• Paper type and thickness

You also need to decide which printing and binding service to use. This independent article explains all options and helps you make the right decisions.

Overview of printing services

Table of contents

Types of dissertation binding, dissertation printing options, production and delivery times, last checks before printing, overview of printing and binding services.

Aside from keeping the pages of your dissertation together, the binding is also responsible for your supervisor’s first impression of your dissertation. There are various types of binding, ranging from the cheaper spiral binding to the more expensive hardcover book binding .

The type of binding should depend on:

• Guidelines from your university or professor
• Your dissertation’s version (draft vs. final)
• Type of dissertation (PhD vs. undergraduate dissertation)

Spiral binding (± £7)

• Professional appearance
• Browsing through the pages is easy (can be opened flat)
• Fairly cheap

Comb binding (± £5)

• Enables easy browsing of the pages
• Binding can be opened and closed (not easily)
• Has a cheap appearance

Fastback binding (± £8)

• Professional book-like appearance
• Available in different colours
• Risk of pages falling out after a while

Paperback binding (£10-20)

• Durable and professional
• Book-like appearance
• Opening and browsing is less smooth than with spiral or comb binding

Hardback binding (£20-40)

• Customizable cover
• Quality comes at a price

Colour vs. Black & White

Unless specifically stated in your university guidelines, it is up to you to decide whether to print your dissertation in colour or black & white. Printing in colour is on average two to four times more expensive.

In general, a colour-printed dissertation looks more professional, but it is not required. Does your dissertation contain graphs or figures that rely on colour? Be sure to print at least these pages in colour.

Printing double sided is often cheaper than printing single sided due to the paper savings – it makes your dissertation half as thick. However, some universities require you to print your dissertation single sided. Be sure to check the guidelines.

When printing your dissertation double sided, pay attention to the following points:

• New chapters should start on the right side. You will need to take this into account and insert “blank pages” when preparing your dissertation.
• Add a blank page after the title page so that the acknowledgements or abstract are not printed on the back of your title page.
• The page numbering is often placed bottom right on the right side of the page and bottom left on the left side. You can easily set this in Word by choosing “outside alignment”.

Paper weight

The thickness of the paper (measured in gsm or grams) is something most students don’t think about, but it does have a significant impact on the look and feel of your dissertation.

Standard printing paper has a weight of 75-90 gsm. For a bachelor’s or master’s dissertation this is fine. If you want the paper to look and feel more professional and durable, a paper weight of 100-130 gsm is better. This is often used for PhD dissertations.

Number of copies

It is common to print three to five copies of your dissertation. Depending on your university’s guidelines you might need to submit one to three copies to your supervisor. In addition, you might want to have a copy for yourself or your family.

The production (printing and binding) takes on average two days, and delivery takes another day. For an additional charge (ranging from +20 to +80%), the production and delivery time can be shortened.

Have a looming deadline? Your local printing shop is probably able to print and bind your dissertation faster, and it eliminates delivery time. However, keep in mind that this is often a little more expensive.

Before sending your dissertation to a printing shop, there are three things you should do:

1. Save your dissertation as a PDF By saving your file as a PDF, the formatting will be consistent on every computer. This way you prevent any unpleasant surprises such as offsets when receiving your printed dissertation.

2. Check for language mistakes There’s nothing worse than finding a language mistake in your printed version. Make sure to proofread your dissertation or make use of a professional dissertation proofreading service .

3. Update the contents page Before saving your dissertation as a PDF, update the (automatic) table of contents. Don’t forget to cross-check the page numbers listed in the table of contents with the actual page number.

The table below provides an overview of the most popular dissertation printing and binding shops, both online and offline. The shops are ordered by price, with information on delivery costs and review score.

*Prices are based on a spiral bound dissertation of 40 pages , printed single-sided , in black , on 80-90gsm  paper, including a clear outer front and back cover .

**Prices are based on a hardback bound dissertation of 200 pages , printed single-sided , in black , on 90-100gsm  paper.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

Streefkerk, R. (2019, July 10). Dissertation Binding and Printing Options | Comparison and Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved 2 April 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/binding-printing/

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Thesis Submission and Binding

Butler University Libraries offers thesis binding as a service for current students enrolled in a program requiring a written thesis component. Using an online form, you will submit a digital copy of your completed thesis, including all cover page and signature components required by your department. The Libraries will print and bind one physical copy to be housed in the library collection.

At the time of submission, you may also purchase bound personal or department copies for $25 each, payable by credit or debit card. Please allow 8-12 weeks of processing time for the binding process and submit a permanent address if you wish to have bound copies mailed to you.  If you have a question about submitting your thesis or ordering bound print copies, please contact Annette Muyumba (317-940-9415).

Students will also have the opportunity to make their work widely available through Digital Commons, an online archive of Butler University scholarship. For more information on Digital Commons , please contact  Jennifer Coronado  (317-940-9206) or  Cale Erwin  (317-940-9236).

For graduate theses that are CD or DVD recordings with a recital program and no other written component, please submit a library copy directly to the School of Music’s Director of Graduate Studies.

For more information regarding thesis binding, please contact our  Library Services  inbox.

• Submit Your Thesis

Preparing Your Submission

When you’re ready to submit, make sure you have the following information on hand:

• Your thesis title
• This is a short summary of what your thesis is about, approximately 1 paragraph or 250 words
• An electronic version of your thesis in PDF form

Unsure of your department’s process? Contact the Honors Program or your department’s graduate advisor.

Are you an advisor and have questions ?  Check out our advisors’ guide to electronic theses !

How do I order a personal copy?

Once you submit your thesis, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to order and pay for a print copy for yourself and/or your department. Copies are $25 a piece and can be paid for with a credit or debit card.

What’s this Digital Commons thing?

When you submit your thesis, you have the option of making your thesis openly available in Digital Commons, a digital archive of the scholarly and creative output of Butler University. Student theses are some of our most popular content, receiving thousands of hits every year! If you’re preparing your resume, this is a great way to share your research with your future graduate program or employer. Please check out our Digital Commons Student Theses page to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of making your thesis freely available.

Thesis and Dissertations

How to order your thesis.

Congratulations on your academic achievement!

If you have a PDF of your dissertation and would like us to copy and bind it, select this link: Online Thesis Order Form . This will take you to our convenient automated online ordering system where you can place your order, select the delivery method and make payment in a few easy steps. Major credit cards and University  procurement cards are accepted. If you are submitting a bulk order with multiple thesis or dissertations, please contact us directly at  [email protected]  and we will provide instructions for submitting your bulk order.

Should you have any additional questions or would like to discuss your requirements with us further; you can contact us at (510) 207-2856. We are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

For information about our location, follow  this link .

Thesis and Dissertation Styles

We offer three styles of thesis hardcover binding. Traditional colors for the cover material are Navy Blue or Black. Cover lettering (including the UC Seal when Style 3 is selected) is printed UC Gold, white, or black.

Thank you for your interest in our services. We look forward to working with you. RETURN POLICY: The UC Library Bindery is a department of the University of California.  The return policy is that all sales are final and there is no cash refund. Defective bindings must be reported to the operation within 30 days of shipment to be considered for replacement.  

Dissertation Printing & Binding

✓ Live preview of your binding

✓  3D look inside function

✓ FREE express delivery

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Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Why Choose BachelorPrint
• 2 Our Bindings
• 3 Comparison Of Bindings
• 4 100% Real Reviews

Why Choose BachelorPrint

FREE express delivery

Upload your dissertation into our online shop, choose your binding and submit your order. Receive your order with free express delivery within a few days!

INNOVATIVE look inside function

Check your dissertation online before printing – this is possible with our look inside-function that lets you browse through your dissertation online with all extra gadgets displayed.

Online 3D configuration

Configure your dissertation with just a few clicks. Every modification to your binding is shown online, live in a 3D preview, plus estimated date of delivery and price calculation.

Our Bindings

You can pick from various bindings at BachelorPrint. However, depending on the type of work, you should ensure that you have it bound correctly. Thermal binding is a good choice if you have your dissertation bound. Most students like the thermal binding because it offers exceptional value for money.

Tip: The binding should reflect the content. The higher the significance of your work to you, the higher the quality of your binding should be. However, it is imperative that you verify whether your university has any specific submission requirements.

Leather Book Bindings

Premium leather binding, refinements, standard leather binding, excellence at its finest.

Configure Now

Thermal Binding

Spiral binding, metal spiral binding, plastic spiral binding.

Advantages Of An Online Printing Service

Order from the comfort of your home

Printing and binding your dissertation is a breeze from your own living room. There is no need for endless searches for a copy or print shop, annoyance-inducing trips through the city, or lengthy waits. Simply configure your desired binding and receive your dissertation the following day via free express delivery.

Numerous possibilities & all in one place

At BachelorPrint, you can choose from many types of bindings that are good quality. You can also customize them with various options and features. You can decide how your dissertation looks by using different tools like ribbon markers, book corners, or individual embossing.

Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about how your binding will look when it’s all done. With our live preview and the look inside function, you can look at your dissertation and see if everything fits.

Ordered today, delivered tomorrow!

Deliver anywhere you want in a flash!

Comparison Of Bindings

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You can check out our FAQs or contact our customer service team

Why should I do my dissertation binding online?

BachelorPrint as an online printing service offers you several advantages:

• 24-hour delivery for dissertations, even in large quantities. Order before the countdown above runs out, and we deliver the next day (depending on your location)
• Free delivery
• No minimum order value
• Free 100 g/m² branded paper for optimal print quality
• High-quality binding for your dissertation
• 3D live preview in the BachelorPrint print shop
• Customizable embossing for your cover with the logo of your institution
• Free “type of work” embossing (e.g., bachelor’s thesis, master’s thesis, dissertation)

What are the costs for dissertation printing?

The most important factor for most students when it comes to dissertation printing is the price. The price includes factors such as the type of binding and the number of pages when printing and binding your dissertation. You can calculate the exact price for your dissertation printing beforehand in our print shop .

Would you like to print your dissertation, for instance, with 20 pages, and then bind it with the premium leather binding with additional embossed details? The estimated cost is $64.80. This is 45% less compared to other market prices! Plus: with BachelorPrint, your order is delivered for free!

At BachelorPrint, we use 100 g/m² premium paper as standard for printing and set the same price for color and black/white printing.

Where can I order my dissertation binding?

To have your dissertation printed and bound, you can either go to a copy shop or simply order your dissertation binding online. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

One advantage of the print shop is that you can conveniently place your order from home. You configure your binding and then look at the end product using our 3D live preview. Then simply order and get your order delivered the next day for free.

Which paper to use for printing and binding a dissertation?

For works, such as dissertations, either 80 g/m² paper or 100 g/m² paper is used. At BachelorPrint we use 100 g/m² paper as our standard, as it is not only more robust but also feels better when you browse through the dissertation. However, if you want to print and bind your dissertation on both sides, we recommend that you use 120 g/m² paper to ensure that the text does not show through.

If you want to know more about the right paper for your dissertation, follow this link to our blog post: Which paper for dissertation printing & binding?

Which type of binding is recommended for a dissertation?

We recommend high-quality binding for important works, such as a dissertation. For this reason, the leather binding is our top recommendation! It looks noble and high-grade and gives your examiner a perfect first impression.

How long does dissertation binding take?

If you decide on dissertation binding with BachelorPrint, we recommend that you keep an eye on the countdown above and make use of the delivery time calculator as soon as possible. The next-day express delivery is free of charge at BachelorPrint.

Visit the print shop to see your exact delivery date.

How can I save money when printing a dissertation?

With BachelorPrint you have many options to have your dissertation printed and bound inexpensively. Additionally, you can also get embossing for “type of work” free of charge, as well as express delivery.

Do you want to save extra money? Check our page for free printing !

Do you have further questions about the printing and binding of your dissertation? Contact us: [email protected] 724 281 3937 Free 24h Customer Service  

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The final requirement in earning a graduate degree, if required by your program, is the submission and defense of the master’s thesis. Understanding the steps and deadlines in the thesis submission is necessary to establish a successful plan and realistic timeframe to graduate.

Contact your program’s department to learn more about any thesis requirements for your degree.

Steps to Approval

A third committee member is required for any comprehensive evaluation. Please fill out the following form to request your third member. In order to be assigned a third committee member, you must first apply to graduate. If you have not already, please follow the steps on our Steps to Graduation page.

Third Committee Member Request Form

Five Helpful Tips for Planning Your Thesis

1. approval of human/animal subjects.

If you plan to use human or animal subjects in your thesis research, there are laws you must follow. An approved IRB must be on file first.

2. Meet with your Advisor

Establish your program's thesis requirements with your advisor. Some programs have a research project option instead of a thesis.

3. Check that you're on track

Make sure you are on the right track before submitting your thesis. Review this section to double-check your progress.

4. Submit to the Grad Programs Office after department approval

How and where you submit your thesis is very important so please confirm details with your department before submitting it to the Graduate Programs Office.

5. Submit your thesis for Printing and Binding

Printing and binding your thesis are important if it is required to have a copy of your thesis bound. Check to see if this cost is covered by the department.

Format & Margins

Organization and pagination.

Most simple errors found in thesis copies are in page numbering, especially in the preliminary pages. 

A title page must be included in the thesis. The student’s full legal name is required. Note that title is presented in an inverted pyramid style and no page number appears, though it is page i of the thesis. Sample Title Page

Signature Page

The signature page must be part of the thesis and should bear the signatures of all your committee members, however only the committee chair and second committee members are required. If you have a signature line for all three committee members, then all three committee members must sign. A blank line on the signature page will not be accepted. Place committee members’ names underneath the signature lines. Committee members should sign only when they are satisfied that the thesis meets the standards of the university. This page MUST have original signatures. Sample Signature Page

Abstract (optional)

An abstract should be no more than 350 words. The abstract is a condensed summary of the paper and includes a description of the research and significant results. Sample Abstract Page

Acknowledgements/Introduction (optional)

There are no length requirements or restrictions. This page is optional. Please remember that the purpose of this page is to recognize those who most contributed to the research and writing of the document. The language used in the acknowledgment should be consistent with that used in acknowledgments in journal articles in your field. The manuscript is an academic document. This is not the appropriate place to thank friends, relatives, or companion animals that had nothing to do with the content or research. Sample Acknowledgements Page

Table of Contents (optional)

The table of contents lists chapters and other main divisions (first-order subheadings, references/end notes, and appendixes). The title of each entry and chapter numbering method must correspond exactly to that within the main body of thesis. Page numbers must be specified for all the listings.

Do not list “Table of Contents” in the body of the Table of Contents. The first item listed in the Table of Contents is the abstract (if included), then the acknowledgments page (which is optional). Any List of Tables and/or a List of Figures should be included in the Table of Contents. Sample Table of Contents Page

List of Tables/Figures (optional)

Although a list of tables and/or figures is not required in all theses, they must be included if you have more than two tables and/or two figures.

Main Content

The final content, academic quality, and correct style and formatting rests with you and your graduate committee.  Sample Main Content Page

Formatting of references and citations should follow your style guide. References cited in the text must appear in the references list (including personal communications). Conversely, each entry in the reference list must be cited in the text. Do not include works in the reference list that you have not cited in the text. Regardless of the style selected, direct quotes cited in the text must include page citations.

Appendixes as needed.

Your Vita is required. Sample Vita

Be sure to check with your director for appropriate headings.

Section headings must correspond to the table of contents; heading type or print and location on the page should be consistent and parallel throughout the thesis.

Captions and Illustrations

Captions should match the type or print style used in the main text. Locate captions according to the standard of the publication style that is being used for the thesis. Any variation of the quality of paper, page size, or reproductive process to accommodate illustrations and supplementary materials should have the approval of your committee chair. If photographs or other non-printed illustrative materials are to be included, they should be permanently mounted.

Any easily readable standard type of font is acceptable. Fonts should be consistently at least 10-13.5 points throughout the document. 

The text must be double-‐spaced; however, block quotations, footnotes, figure captions, table titles and notes, and individual citations in the references may be single-spaced. If single spacing of reference citations is chosen, then double space between each citation.

Tables should be uniformly titled and numbered at the top and figures captioned at the bottom. Tables and figures should be inserted following their first mention in the text, but no later than the page immediately following the mention.

Left-hand margins must be one and one-half inches. Top, bottom, and right margins should be one inch. This is particularly important if your department requires a bound copy, margin widths must be carefully observed to provide for adequate binding space. Students who will be binding may be asked to reprint if margins are not correct. See the Margins, Paper, and Font drop down in the Printing & Binding Your Thesis section below. 

Pre-Submission of Thesis

Comprehensive examination form.

Before a thesis can be submitted electronically, Graduate Programs must have your Comprehensive Examination Form stating that your thesis has been approved.

Comprehensive Examination Forms are issued to your oral exam committee when your TRA (Terminal Research Approval) Form is received by the Graduate Programs Office.

After a successful defense, submit the documents listed in Submitting Your Thesis to Graduate Programs within 10 working days following the oral defense or by the last day of the quarter, whichever comes first.

Please Note – Some departments may require you to provide a bound copy for the department. If your department requires a copy of your thesis to be bound or if you would like a copy to be bound for yourself, please carefully follow the instructions in Printing and Binding Instructions .

Submitting Your Thesis

After a successful defense, submit the following to Graduate Programs within 10 working days following the oral defense or by the last day of the quarter, whichever comes first:

Once the Graduate Programs Office (206 Showalter) receives your: (1) One signed (physical copy or PDF digital copy) Graduate Electronic Thesis Submission Form (2) One signed (physical copy or PDF digital copy) Signature Page (page ii of your thesis) (3) PDF version of your thesis to [email protected]

WARNING: When you convert the thesis/project document to a PDF file for electronic thesis submission, conversion to PDF may shrink your document by 4%, enough to change margins and pagination throughout. Always check the conversion to make sure your formatting did not change. (Computer Science students may submit LaTex version of thesis.) 

Then you will get a confirmation stating when all your documents have been approved, and Graduate Programs will submit your thesis to the JFK Library to become part of the EWU Digital Commons Institutional Repository. Once your thesis has been submitted to Graduate Programs no further changes can be made.

In case of rejection due to incorrect formatting (see formatting and style guidelines ), you and your committee chair will be notified by Graduate Programs of any changes or corrections that need to be made before your degree will be awarded.

Graduate Programs does not require a final bound copy or printed copy for completion of degree. Hard copies are no longer stored at the JFK Library; however, some departments may require you to submit a hard copy to be bound. Please check with your department to see if this is a requirement for you. If you have questions, please call the Graduate Programs office at 509-359-6297 or email us at [email protected].

Printing & Binding Your Thesis

Binding style guideline requirements: submitting.

• If you want a bound thesis, you must submit the hard copy or copies of your thesis to Graduate Programs in 206 Showalter Hall before the last day of the term.
• Final copies will need to be submitted in an envelope or a box to protect the document from damage.
• Do not staple, 3-hole punch, or otherwise mark the final copy of the thesis.
• Your original Signature Page will be included in your bound copy.
• Please provide a copy of your receipt from Student Financial Services of your payment.
• Graduate Programs will check your thesis for quality and formatting. Please follow all formatting directions to avoid having to reprint.
• Bound copies are returned to the Graduate Programs Office 4-6 weeks after the theses have been shipped. 

Margins, Paper, Font

Left-hand margins must be one and one-half inches to provide for binding. Top, bottom, and right margins should be one inch. If your margins are not correct you will be required to REPRINT.

Use only 8 1/2 x 11 inch, white , “thesis bond,” 100% cotton bond paper. This is required of your department copy. The thesis bond paper ensures greater longevity of the document. If you have difficulty obtaining this paper, it is available at the EWU bookstore. Your copy or copies may be on the paper of your choice.

Font Use the same style of type or print throughout the manuscript. Use bold face, italicize, or underline words where appropriate. Use 10-13.5-point font size, with 18-24 points between lines. Indented quotes may, however, be single-spaced.

• Print on only one side of the page.
• Printers must produce a manuscript in at least a near-letter-quality mode. The thesis bond paper does not work in some printers. If you run your hand across your printed page and the words smear off, you will need to reprint with a different printer.

Graduate Programs will send the theses copies off-campus to a bindery company at the end of Fall quarter and the end of Spring quarter (semester students will have their copies sent off with the quarter students) . Bound copies are returned to the Graduate Programs Office 4-6 weeks after the theses have been shipped. The Graduate Programs Office will send the bound thesis to the academic department (if required) and/or to the student (if it has been requested).

Please Note: Graduate Programs will only be shipping theses to the binder twice a year.

•   Summer & Fall theses will be shipped out in December and returned to us in January.
•   Winter & Spring theses will be shipped out and returned to us before the end of Summer.

Individual departments may require students to provide a bound copy of their thesis. Check with your department to find out if you will be required to have a copy of your thesis bound. Check to see if this cost is covered by the student or department.

You have the option of submitting a copy or copies for yourself to be bound, regardless of whether your department has required a copy. Each copy will be $30.00.

Please note: your binding fee can be paid at Sutton Hall in Student Services with cash, check, or electronic check only. To pay your binding fee with a debit or credit card, use the link below:

Pay Binding Fee with Card

If you are required to and/or have decided to have a copy bound, you will need to follow the style guidelines below required for binding. It is your responsibility to follow the requirements below or you will have to reprint your thesis.

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What support is available for Thesis & Dissertation Publishing?

We can help you with:

• Publishing your thesis or dissertation - or using a publication in a thesis or dissertation
• Using images in theses and dissertations
• Determining what the appropriate access level should be before your thesis or dissertation is made available openly in ResearchWorks
• While we cannot offer explicit legal advice, we can provide you background and context for thinking through questions around fair use, Creative Commons Licenses, and using copyright-protected works

If you need help with any of the topics mentioned above, please reach out to us at: [email protected] .

Learn On-Demand

• Electronic Theses and Dissertations Canvas Course
• In this self-guided course, you will learn how the submission process works, how to give and receive recognition for your work, how to find and interpret publisher policies and how to read and inspect publishing contracts.
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• UW Graduate School Thesis/Dissertation Page
• Interdisciplinary Dissertation Writing Group (Simpson Center for the Humanities Graduate Research Cluster)

UW Theses and Dissertations

For many students, the thesis or dissertation represents one of their first forays into publicly disseminating the products of their scholarship. This workshop will help students think through their options for how and when to share their work, including the copyright and publishing considerations they may need to take into account.

Available to: Current students, faculty, and staff

Offered: Quarterly

Next Session: TBA, Watch a Recording of a Previous Workshop

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Thesis and Dissertation Binding

Head of cataloging & periodicals.

Binding Companies

For your convenience, we are providing a list of companies that will bind copies of your theses, dissertations, or scholarly deliveries. The Cornette Library does not endorse any particular company and takes no liability for the work done by these companies. The contact information listed is subject to change.

If you would like your bound thesis, dissertation, or scholarly delivery to match Cornette Library's binding, select 192 Maroon for the cover color and gold for the lettering color. If a bindery doesn't carry 192 Maroon, select Burgundy for the cover color.

PHD Book Binding

8708 South Congress Ave. Suite A-180 Austin, TX  78745 Phone:  512-478-0871 Email:  [email protected]  

HF Group, Thesis-on-Demand

Thesis on Demand c/o HF Group 1010 North Sycamore Street North Manchester, IN  46962 Phone:  800-334-3628 Email:  [email protected]  

Lincoln Bindery

1601 N. Coler Ave. Urbana, IL  61801 Phone:  217-328-2613 Email:  [email protected]

Wert Bookbinding

Wert Bookbinding, Inc. 9975 Allentown Blvd. Grantville, PA  17028 Phone:  800-344-9378

International Assets

4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, South Wing Miami, FL  33149 Phone:  305-421-4184 Email:  [email protected]

D & B Book Binders

1030 E 14th Street Hialeah, FL  33010 Phone:  305-885-5215 Email:  [email protected]

Kater-Crafts Bookbinders

Kater-Crafts Bookbinders 4860 Gregg Road Pico Rivera, CA  90660-2199 Phone:  562-692-0665 Email:  [email protected]

GradWorks Online

Phone:  801-422-2741 Email:  [email protected]

Barnes and Noble Self Printing Service

Please note that Barnes and Noble requires PDF/A compliant files for printing. There are both commercial and free validation tools available, including Adobe Acrobat DC , veraPDF (open source), and Windows' Accessibility Checker.

• Last Updated: Sep 7, 2023 4:35 PM
• URL: https://infoguides.wtamu.edu/thesisbinding

Thesis & Dissertation Binding Specialists UK

Thesis and dissertation, printing and binding specialists uk.

DB Bookbinders is the UK’s premier provider of thesis binding services.

With decades of experience in the industry, we specialise in crafting professional-grade thesis and dissertation bindings for universities and colleges across the UK.

Our expert binder team can create stunning and durable bindings that you can be proud to submit. Plus, our online thesis uploading platform is simple and straightforward, so you can get your order ready and shipped to you quickly.

We offer a wide range of binding styles to choose from, including buckram , vegan leather , and genuine leather , so you can find the perfect binding for your thesis or dissertation .

Thesis Binding UK: Your Premier Destination for Superior Thesis Presentation!

Greetings, UK students and researchers! After devoting countless hours and boundless effort into your expertly written thesis or dissertation, the last aspect you’d want to fuss over is its binding. Say goodbye to those worries! At dbbookbinders.com, we’ve got you covered with our exceptional UK thesis binding service.

Your Thesis Deserves The Best

Your inventive ideas warrant a binding that’s as distinctive as your research. That’s why we are dedicated to offering first-rate thesis binding that reflects the quality of your work. Be it a UK thesis or a dissertation, we approach each document with the care it merits. Who knows, maybe someday it’ll find a place in the esteemed British Library!

We Understand Your Needs

We’ve experienced it all. The all-night study marathons, limitless cups of tea, and the race against the clock to meet that looming deadline. We absolutely get it, and we’re here to make your life a bit smoother. Our adept team alleviates the stress of binding, giving you one less thing to worry about as you prepare to display your intellectual prowess.

We’ve Got You Covered, Literally!

Our binding options cater to all needs and budgets. Whether you’re seeking a traditional hardcover for your UK thesis or a sleek, modern design for your dissertation, we’ve got a variety of options sure to make a profound impression on your professors and peers.

Easy Ordering and Fast Turnaround

With our easy-to-use online ordering system, getting your thesis or dissertation bound has never been more straightforward. And because we understand that time is paramount, we’re committed to delivering your order promptly, without compromising on quality.

DB Bookbinders a Proven Track Record

Don’t just take our word for it. Ask around! We’ve been in this industry for decades, and our reputation vouches for our credibility. We’ve assisted innumerable students like you in presenting their theses and dissertations with elegance, and we’re eager to do the same for you.

So, UK scholars, it’s time to give your hard work the presentation it deserves. With dbbookbinders.com by your side, you can stride into your future confidently, knowing that your thesis or dissertation is bound for greatness!

Remember, your UK thesis binding or dissertation binding journey starts here. Explore our options, place your order, and join the ranks of successful scholars who’ve entrusted us with their pivotal work.

Specialising in crafting professional-grade thesis and dissertation bindings for universities and colleges across the United Kingdom, we bring decades of experience to the table. Our expert binder team can create stunning and durable bindings that you can be proud to submit. Plus, our online thesis uploading platform is simple and user-friendly, enabling you to get your order ready and shipped to you swiftly.

We offer a wide range of binding styles, including buckram, vegan leather, and genuine leather, so you can find the ideal binding for your thesis or dissertation.

Don’t delay – get started now and create a binding that will leave a lasting impression. At DBBookbinders, we’re binding the future, one thesis at a time.

Thesis Order Form 2023

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DB Bookbinders did a great job printing and binding my thesis. There was an issue with the ordering form's file upload but easily solved via email. Thank you!

Dissertation Printing and Binding

Thesis and dissertation faq's still have questions we have answers.

There’s a lot to weigh up! We’ve put together a couple of handy guides to help you know what to look for when you’re getting your thesis, dissertation or design folio bound.

Thankfully, we’ve written a handy guide to knowing what to know before you go to a bookbinder. Have a read of ‘Five Things You Need to Know’ by clicking the button below.

Get your bound Thesis delivered to the following UK Universities

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• University of Manchester
• Imperial College London
• University of Edinburgh
• University College London
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DB Bookbinders delivers thesis binding and printing services across all major areas of the United Kingdom

• Oxfordshire
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Harvard will remove binding made of human skin from 1800s book

University says first owner of book by French novelist took the skin from a deceased female patient without consent

Harvard University has said it will be removing the binding made of human skin from a 19th-century book held in its library because of the “ethically fraught nature” of how the unusual binding took place.

The book, called Des Destinées de l’Ame (or Destinies of the Soul), has been held at the university’s Houghton Library since the 1930s but drew international attention in 2014 when tests confirmed that it was bound in human skin .

On Wednesday, however, the university said that after “careful study, stakeholder engagement, and consideration” it would remove the skin binding and will work with authorities to “determine a final respectful disposition of these human remains”.

The book was written by Arsène Houssaye, a French novelist, in the mid-1880s as a meditation on the nature of having a soul, and life after death. The volume’s first owner, the French physician Ludovic Bouland, then bound the book with human skin. Harvard said that Bouland took the skin from a deceased female patient in a hospital where he worked, without consent.

This troubling history, which Harvard called “ethically fraught”, led the university to decide to remove the skin binding.

“As you can imagine, this has been an unusual circumstance for us in the library and we have learned a great deal as we arrived at our decision,” said Tom Hyry, an archivist at Houghton Library, in a Q&A issued by Harvard announcing its decision to remove the book from its library.

“ The core problem with the volume’s creation was a doctor who didn’t see a whole person in front of him and carried out an odious act of removing a piece of skin from a deceased patient, almost certainly without consent, and used it in a book binding that has been handled by many for more than a century. We believe it’s time the remains be put to rest.”

In the past, Harvard students employed to page collections in the library were subject to a hazing ritual where they were asked to retrieve the book without being told it was covered in human remains.

The confirmation of the book’s strange binding in 2014 was, at the time, also treated in a more light-hearted manner by Harvard. The university called the discovery “good news for fans of anthropodermic bibliopegy, bibliomaniacs and cannibals alike”. Anthropodermic bibliopegy is the practice of binding books in human skin, something which enjoyed a spate of popularity in the 19th century, but which has occurred since at least the 1500s.

Harvard said that it now regrets the “sensationalistic, morbid, and humorous tone” in which the discovery was announced.

“We apologize on behalf of Harvard Library for past failures in our stewardship of the book that further objectified and compromised the dignity of the human being at the center,” said Hyry.

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Harvard says it has removed human skin from the binding of a 19th century book

FILE - This Nov. 13, 2008 file photo shows the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. Harvard University said it has removed human skin from the binding of a 19th century book about the afterlife that has been in its collections since the 1930s. The decision came after a review found ethical concerns with the book’s origin and history. (AP Photo/Lisa Poole, File)

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Harvard University said it has removed human skin from the binding of a 19th century book about the afterlife that has been in its collections since the 1930s. The decision came after a review found ethical concerns with the book’s origin and history.

The book, “Des Destinées de L’âme,” meaning “Destinies of the Soul,” was written by Arsène Houssaye, a French novelist and poet, in the early 1880s. The printed text was given to a physician, Ludovic Bouland, who ”bound the book with skin he took without consent from the body of a deceased female patient in a hospital where he worked,” Harvard said in a recent statement . The book has been at the university’s Houghton Library.

Bouland included a handwritten note inside the book. It said “a book about the human soul deserved to have a human covering,” associate university librarian Thomas Hyry said in a published question-and-answer segment online Wednesday. The note also detailed the process behind preparing the skin for binding.

Scientific analysis done in 2014 confirmed the binding was made of human skin, the university said.

In its statement, Harvard said the library noted several ways in which its stewardship practices failed to meet its ethical standards.

“Until relatively recently, the library has made the book available to anyone who asked for it, regardless of their reason for wishing to consult it,” Harvard said. “Library lore suggests that decades ago, students employed to page collections in Houghton’s stacks were hazed by being asked to retrieve the book without being told it included human remains.”

When the testing confirmed the book was bound by human skin, “the library published posts on the Houghton blog that utilized a sensationalistic, morbid, and humorous tone that fueled similar international media coverage,” the university said in its statement.

The removed skin is now in “secure storage at Harvard Library,” Anne-Marie Eze, Houghton Library associate librarian, said in the question-and-answer session.

The library said it will be conducting additional research into the book, Bouland and the anonymous female patient. It is also working with French authorities to determine a “final respectful disposition.”

Harvard said the skin removal was prompted by a library review following a Harvard University report on human remains in its museum collections, released in 2022.

“Harvard Library and the Harvard Museum Collections Returns Committee concluded that the human remains used in the book’s binding no longer belong in the Harvard Library collections, due to the ethically fraught nature of the book’s origins and subsequent history,” Harvard’s statement said.

Harvard Library removes human skin from book binding

Harvard University removed human skin from the binding of "Des Destinées de L'âme" in Houghton Library on Wednesday after a review found ethical concerns with the book's origin and history.

French physician Dr. Ludovic Bouland “bound the book with skin he took without consent from the body of a deceased female patient in a hospital where he worked,” according to Harvard Library .  

Bouland included a handwritten note inside stating that “a book about the human soul deserved to have a human covering,” associate university librarian Thomas Hyry said in a published Q&A . The note also detailed the process behind preparing the skin for binding.

The removal was prompted by a library review following the Harvard University report on human remains in its museum collections.

"Harvard Library and the Harvard Museum Collections Returns Committee concluded that the human remains used in the book’s binding no longer belong in the Harvard Library collections, due to the ethically fraught nature of the book’s origins and subsequent history," a statement from the library said Wednesday.

The removed skin is now in "secure storage at Harvard Library," Anne-Marie Eze, Houghton Library associate librarian, said in the Q&A.

The library will be conducting additional research into the book, Bouland and the anonymous female patient. It is also working with French authorities to determine a "final respectful disposition," it said.

Bouland received his copy of "Des Destinées de L'âme," or "Destinies of the Soul," from the author, Arsène Houssaye, in the early 1880s. The book has been in the Harvard Library collection since 1934 on deposit from John B. Stetson Jr., a philanthropist and businessman.

Katherine Itoh is a news associate for NBC News.

Harvard University removes human skin binding from book after more than 90 years

Prestigious Harvard University says it has removed human skin from the binding of a book held for more than 90 years at one of its libraries.

A copy of the 19th-century book Des Destinées de l'Ame — or Destinies of the Soul, a meditation on life after death — was found in 2014 to be bound in the skin of a deceased woman.

Harvard said it had removed the binding and noted "past failures in its stewardship of the book that further objectified and compromised the dignity of the human being whose remains were used for its binding".

The university said it was consulting with French authorities "to determine a final respectful disposition of these human remains".

Harvard, widely considered the oldest college in the United States, had indulged interest in the morbid story of the book, calling the 2014 discovery "good news for fans of anthropodermic bibliopegy, bibliomaniacs and cannibals alike".

Anthropodermic bibliopegy, the practice of binding books in human skin, was once a relatively common practice, Harvard said in a 2014 blog post. 

The university said at the time that Ludovic Bouland, the first owner of the book written by French author Arsene Houssaye, had taken skin from the body of a mentally ill woman, who died of a heart attack, at a hospital where he worked. 

Dr Bouland was said to have told Mr Houssaye in a note: "A book about the human soul deserved to have a human covering."

In Wednesday's media release, Harvard said its stewardship practices related to the book had "failed to meet the level of ethical standards to which it subscribes".

It noted that, following scientific analysis confirming it was bound in human skin, the library made blog posts that "utilised a sensationalistic, morbid, and humorous tone that fuelled similar international media coverage".

In 2022, Harvard released a report that identified more than 20,000 human remains in its various collections, which ranged from skeletons to teeth, hair and bone fragments.

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Harvard removes human skin from the binding of 19th-century book

A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to Paul Needham as a librarian at Princeton University. He is a retired librarian who had worked at Princeton. The article has been corrected.

The book, bound in human flesh and housed in Houghton Library for almost a century, was so popular that it had inspired hazing rituals at Harvard University.

College students employed by the library were asked to retrieve the book without being told that it was bound in human skin, as a form of hazing, decades ago.

Now — 10 years after scientists at Harvard confirmed that the 19th-century French book about the destiny of the human soul is bound in human skin — the original binding has been removed.

The binding was removed “due to the ethically fraught nature of the book’s origins and subsequent history,” Harvard said on Wednesday.

Taken from the back of a woman , a psychiatric patient in a French hospital who died of a stroke in the 1800s, the skin has been placed “into respectful temporary storage,” until the library decides how to dispose of it in a dignified manner.

The removal follows years of debate about how the university should handle the binding, and a 2022 Harvard report focusing on human remains in university collections, which was spurred by the reckoning with how racism, slavery and colonialism helped establish universities and museums .

The book bound in human skin was a copy of “Des Destinées de L’âme,” by Arsène Houssaye, a 19th-century French novelist and poet. Houssaye gifted the printed text of the book to his friend, Ludovic Bouland, in the early 1880s.

Bouland, a doctor, bound the book in human skin that he had acquired himself while still a medical student, according to his handwritten note inserted into the volume. The note also describes the process used to treat the skin so it could be used to bind the text.

“A book about the human soul deserved to have a human covering,” Bouland wrote. “By looking carefully you easily distinguish the pores of the skin.”

The note also stated that nothing had been stamped on the cover in order to “preserve its elegance.”

Harvard College Library accepted the book from John B. Stetson, an American diplomat and Harvard graduate, in 1934. It was transferred to Houghton Library in 1944 and formally donated to Harvard in 1954.

In 2014, scientists confirmed that the book is “without a doubt” bound in human skin.

Then, Harvard had carried a blog post titled “Caveat Lecter” announcing “good news for fans of anthropodermic bibliopegy, bibliomaniacs and cannibals alike,” according to “ Dark Archives ,” a book written by Megan Rosenbloom, a librarian and expert on anthropodermic bibliopegy, the practice of binding books in human skin.

Rosenbloom is also part of the Anthropodermic Book Project , which tests alleged anthropodermic books to see if they’re of human origin. So far, the project has confirmed 18 books to be bound in human skin.

One of the strongest voices critiquing the blog post belonged to Paul Needham, a retired librarian who had worked at Princeton University. He said that the blog post should be deleted and the book’s cover buried.

“Although preservation is a central responsibility of libraries and museums, it is not one isolated from wider questions of ethics,” Needham wrote in the New York Review of Books. “There are times with the ‘good’ of preservation must be weighed against other compelling responsibilities.”

The library’s blog post can no longer be accessed on the university website.

Following the 2022 report, Houghton Library reviewed the book and found that the human remains used in the Houssaye book’s binding no longer belong in the Harvard Library collections, and “Des destinées de l’âme” was disbound.

“The core problem with the volume’s creation was a doctor who didn’t see a whole person in front of him and carried out an odious act of removing a piece of skin from a deceased patient, almost certainly without consent, and used it in a book binding that has been handled by many for more than a century,” said Tom Hyry, a librarian at Harvard, in a news release . “We believe it’s time the remains be put to rest.”

The human skin used to bind the book is not available, in person or digitally, to any researcher and the library has removed all images of the skin from its catalogue, online blog posts and other channels.

The book will be available to researchers, without its cover.

On Wednesday, the library apologized for objectifying and compromising the dignity of the woman whose skin was used for the binding while the book was in their care.

The library outlined the ways in which it failed to care for the book’s binding.

This included making the book available to anyone who asked for it regardless of why they wanted to borrow it, and employing a “sensationalistic, morbid, and humorous tone,” in the blog post about the binding.

The university said it is conducting additional biographical and provenance research into the anonymous female patient, the book, and Bouland.

Additionally, it is consulting with French authorities “to determine a final respectful disposition of these human remains.”

Even after more than 90 years, it may still “take months, and perhaps longer,” for the library to find a resting place for the remains.

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Dissertation Presentation in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership for Social Justice

Join us for a dissertation presentation by Courtney Reim on Monday, April 8, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Courtney E. Reim examined what Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) certified Montessori teachers for students ages 3-6 years in the United States reported regarding scientific observation as a disposition and as a disposition in action to better understand teachers' application. Employing a national survey and case study her research concluded that:

• Teachers' applications of scientific observation for assessment were prevalent with some degree of predefined aims and objectives;
• School system challenges existed for developing and sustaining scientific observation procedures;
• C ollegial dissemination occurred between teachers when time and organizational constraints permitted;
• Teachers  understood the importance of scientific observation for assessment, but not all aspects were evident in their practice.

Harvard University removes human skin used in binding of 19th-century book

H arvard University library officials say they have removed human skin from the binding of a 19th-century book in the university’s collection and are exploring “respectful” ways to lay the remains to rest.

The book’s original owner, French physician Dr. Ludovic Bouland, who died in 1933, took the skin from a deceased female psychiatric patient at a hospital where he worked and used it to bind a copy of Arsène Houssaye’s book “Des destinées de l’âme,” which dates to the 1880s, Harvard officials said in a statement on Wednesday.

Officials said the decision to remove the skin from the volume was prompted by recommendations in a 2022 report by a Harvard committee charged with considering the ethics of having human remains in its museums and libraries.

“The core problem with the volume’s creation was a doctor who didn’t see a whole person in front of him and carried out an odious act of removing a piece of skin from a deceased patient, almost certainly without consent, and used it in a book binding that has been handled by many for more than a century,” Tom Hyry, associate university librarian for archives and special collections said in a Q&A the university published with its statement. “We believe it’s time the remains be put to rest.”

Harvard has faced controversy since last summer when authorities charged the morgue manager at Harvard Medical School with stealing and selling body parts taken from cadavers .

The book has been in Harvard’s collection since 1934, but the university didn’t confirm it was bound in human skin until 80 years later. The university announced the discovery in 2014 in a pair of blog posts, which received wide media coverage.

On Wednesday, library officials said those posts made light of the discovery and were written in a “sensationalistic, morbid, and humorous tone.”

“Harvard Library acknowledges past failures in its stewardship of the book that further objectified and compromised the dignity of the human being whose remains were used for its binding,” the university said in a statement. “We apologize to those adversely affected by these actions.”

The Harvard committee’s 2022 report focused on books that used the skin of enslaved people and Native Americans held in the university’s collection, but it also noted the volume of “Des destinées de l’âme.” The library created a task force to study the book’s history and analyze “the extant literature regarding the practice of binding books in human skin,” said Anne-Marie Eze, associate librarian of Houghton Library, who led the task force.

“The review confirmed that we can have reasonable certainty that Bouland removed and utilized the skin without consent,” she said.

John Stetson, an American diplomat and Harvard graduate, deposited the book at Harvard in 1934, and his widow, Ruby Stetson, donated it to the university 20 years later, officials said. In a memo accompanying the book, Stetson wrote that Bouland took the skin from an unknown woman who had been a patient at a French psychiatric hospital.

Houssaye’s book is a “meditation on the soul and life after death,” Hyry said. A note written by Bouland inserted in the book says, “A book about the human soul deserved to have a human covering.”

Officials said library users can read the book online through the Harvard Library, but it is currently unavailable in person.

Eze said in a statement that the remains are being held in “secure storage” at Harvard Library as officials determine what to do next.

“The library is consulting with appropriate authorities at the University and in France to determine an appropriate and respectful way of laying the remains to rest,” Eze said.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the leader of the Harvard Library task force studying the book and its binding. The chair of the task force was Anne-Marie Eze.