DIY Binding Methods
This is the part of the site that I think will be of the most useful, because this seems to be the area where people have a hard time accepting that binding is something they can do themselves. Not only that, but do-it-yourself book binding is a lot easier than you'd think.
I've broken the Binding Methods into three sections; Staple, Staple & Glue, and Glue. The staple section includes, saddle stitch binding, which is your typical means of binding zines and chapbooks and side stapling, a form of book binding. The staple and glue method is one I adopted from, of all places, National Geographic. Finally, the glue method is closest to your traditional paperback book binding.
Some of the equipment discussed here you may not be familiar with, so here are a couple of pictures to bring you up to speed.
One of the things we don't go over here are 'book art' binding. If you want more info about what that is all about, click here for a great list of links: The Book Arts Web
Although this section is about binding, I would like to mention a little about printing as well. There are many options, but for the methods shown here the best and cheapest is by xerographic means. If you're not familiar with the term, I'm talking about photocopiers and laser printers. If you have access to use one for free, then take advantage of it! If not you can get it done at a copy shop, but make sure to look and ask around. Staples and Office Depot are not the only places to get it done. For example, the print shop at the University of Manitoba charges half of what Staples charges for black and white double sided printing. The savings will really add up. You can also look into buying a used laser printer or photocopier. Photocopiers come up periodically in local bargain hunters and classifieds for under $200. It sounds like a lot of cash, but when you get some printing quotes back you'll realize it's quite a bargain. Now of course you're taking a risk that it might break down right after you buy it. Another factor is the cost of the toner (which, simply is the ink, except it is dry), you HAVE to look into this before purchasing a photocopier or printer, because the can be drastically different. This is easy to do, all you have to do is go on the internet and type in the model number + "toner", and you should get a pretty good idea, but don't forget to weigh the price vs. how many prints you get per cartridge. Also, getting photocopiers repaired can cost $100/hour. So, look at all your printing options carefully before making a decision.