Coil binding, also known as spiral binding, is commonly used book binding style for creating documents, reports, presentation and proposals. It can open flat on a desk or table and offer 360 degrees rotation for easy note taking. This binding style is durable and is often used for documents that need to be mailed.

Perfect binding is often used, and gives a result simlar to paperback books. National Geographic is one example of this type. Paperback or soft cover books are also normally bound using perfect binding. They usually consist of various sections with cover made from heavier paper, glued together at the spine with strong glue. The sections are milled in thee back and notches are applied into the spine to allow hot glue to penetrate into the spine of the book. The other three sides are then face trimmed.