Perfect Binding

Step 2 Cut the coverstock

I prefer a coverstock with the consistency of thick card, but it's all about personal preference. The one exception to this is true hard stock-- you will have to prepare it like a casebound cover (see my "How to Bind a Book"). Other than that, if it folds, you can use it for a cover (be forewarned, however, that if it's too flimsy, it won't hold up well.)

You want the coverstock to be twice the width of the pages plus the thickness of your stack (when compressed, otherwise it'll be very loose), and exactly as long as your pages.

So if I am binding 8.5 x 11 pages,
1) Twice 8.5 is 17
2) Add the thickness (say, half an inch) ==> 17.5 inches
3) The length is 11
resulting in a 17.5 x 11 piece of coverstock.

Notice that these measurements are for a cover exactly the dimensions of the inside pages; generally, this is desirable. However, if you are using a particularly thick coverstock and want some overhang, go ahead and add it (I usually use 1/4" on all unbound sides, but it's personal preference.)