Metal Magazine / Binding

The way the publication is bound will have a profound effect on how it functions and how it looks externally. It can also communicate the project as a whole differently, in terms of price, contextually and functionally. There are several options I could take for the magazine.

Perfect Binding

"Perfect binding is a punchless binding method that works by fastening the book block to the cover spine. 

The sections are rough-cut in the back to make them absorb the hot glue. The other three sides are then face trimmed. This is what allows the magazine or paperback book to be opened." source

Positives to perfect binding include it's strong binding as opposed to saddle stitch, it allows the book to stay flat when opened and it looks professional. It is better for larger publications due to the amount of pages that can easily be glued together. It takes up less room on a shelf than other binding methods such as spiral bind. 

Perfect binding works better with thinner paper as opposed to thicker GSM stock, as it secures within the glue easier and shouldn't have as much chance of coming out of the bind. Perfect bound books however don't do well in extreme temperatures and may get damaged. 

In relation to the project perfect bound would immediately make the publication look more high end and professional which is appropriate to the brief of recreating metal magazines and challenging their current aesthetics. A lot of magazines are staple bound such as Kerrang! which cheapens the publication but lowers the cost of production. Magazines which are perfect bound do not look cheap and throwaway and are more of a collector's item. Since the magazine would be sold quarterly this should be considered. 

Saddle Stitch / Staple

"Saddle stitching is mainly used in magazines and newsletters. Saddle stitching can be used with staples or stitches and works with side stitching. Saddle stitching is rare these days as perfect binding has replaced the majority of print techniques. Saddle stitching is done by securing loose printed, folded, and nested pages with stitches or staples down the middle of the fold" 

Positives to saddle is it's easier and more affordable, but it looks cheaper and may not communicate an appropriate resolution to the brief. The magazine should not look overly cheap and disposable. In terms of context, magazines are frequently saddle stitched/stapled, however just because there are existing magazines which do this does not mean it's appropriate for this project. It would lower printing costs but in my opinion not look as refined and professional, which should be avoided.

Broadsheet/Berliner/Tabloid

These formats are all used mainly within newspaper publications, and require no binding method, just folding. All three are different sizes, ranging from the largest, the broadsheet, and the smallest as the tabloid. The Berliner is taller and wider than the tabloid, but smaller than the broadsheet. Through my previous research, I discovered that SNEEZE magazine is a broadsheet and requires no real binding, just loose sheets folded. This is a good option for cutting the costs of binding altogether as the publication would just have to be printed. 

Negatives to this would be the pages could become loose and the folds could interfere with images. The publication would also have to be a certain size which may not be appropriate, as it would retrospectively become a 'newspaper' rather than a magazine.

Analysis

Overall it seems like perfect bound would be the appropriate binding method due to its professionality and durability. It is most appropriate for the target audience and aim of the brief.