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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 )
Drafts Bachelor’s thesis Master’s thesis PhD Dissertation

Spiral binding (± $7)

Spiral bound

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

Comb binding (± $5)

Comb bound

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

Fastback binding (± $8)

fastback bound

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

Paperback binding ($10–20)

paperback bound

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)

hardback bound

  • 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.

Price
Price
Delivery cost Review score Discount code
$7.05 $43.80 $11.57
$5.31 $32.26 $20.64 10% with

*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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Raimo Streefkerk

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dissertation printing paper

Dissertation Printing & Binding

✓ Live preview of your binding

✓  3D look inside function

✓ FREE express delivery

Express delivery:

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dissertation printing paper

Inhaltsverzeichnis

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

Why Choose BachelorPrint

Dissertation-printing-binding-express-delivery

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!

Dissertation-printing-binding-look-inside-function

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.

Dissertation-printing-binding-3D-live-preview

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

Dissertation printing binding order_from_home

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.

Dissertation printing and binding numerous possibilities

Ordered today, delivered tomorrow!

Deliver anywhere you want in a flash!

Comparison Of Bindings

2 - 450 10 - 370 10 - 370 1 - 300
Red, blue, black, green, grey, yellow, white Red, blue, black, green Red, blue, black, green Red, blue, black, green, grey, yellow, white
No Yes Yes No
No Yes Yes No
No Yes Yes No
No Yes Yes No
Back page in leather look, clear front film Textured, matte, soft, leather look Textured, shiny, smooth, leather look Back page in leather look, clear front film

Over 100,000 Satisfied Customers Since 2016

The customer is king! We care about your opinion, and we do everything possible to meet your needs. Take a look at our Instagram channel or read the Google reviews of our happy customers.

Dissertation-printing-binding-customer-review

100% Real Reviews

Are You Having Any Questions?

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  

dissertation printing paper

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Suggestions

Your personal guide: dissertation printing and binding.

Perhaps you thought the all-nighters would never come to an end! But finally, you’re proud to say that your dissertation is complete. You’re ready to upload it, but your professors are requesting a hard copy. How do you go about that? Well, the dissertation printing and binding process can be broken down into its two stages.

Dissertation Printing

There are a few key decisions to be made when it comes to dissertation printing. These include:

The points have been compiled into the table below to make your decision-making easier.

Colored dissertation printing will cost more; however, it can add a touch of professionalism to your paper.Keep in mind that excessive color can have the opposite effect than intended. Plus, colored dissertation printing may be required if you’re studying a creative degree program.
Most print shops will offer three different types of paper — 80g/m , 100g/m and 120g/m . The problem with the first type is that it’s too thin and if you need double-sided printing, the ink may shine through. Unfortunately, many print shops use this as their default paper.You’ve spent many months perfecting your thesis, so you wouldn’t want to print it the day before you hand it in just to notice that the ink shines through the pages and it’s barely legible. For double-sided printing, 100g/m paper is definitely worth the upgrade.

paper by default.

For university print shops, you need to perfect your formatting prior to printing and hope that nothing is altered during the printing process. However, there are online print shops that will assist you with this.Say goodbye to last-minute formatting errors, because some online print shops will even check your paper for printability and inform you of any potential errors throughout the dissertation printing process.

The Dissertation Binding Options

For example, an essay will only be counted toward a small portion of your final grade, whereas a lengthy research paper or a final dissertation will count for a lot more. Therefore, the bigger the paper, the better the binding.

Tip! Many institutions have their own standards regarding the type of binding to be used. Double check the printing and binding requirements with your institution before ordering.

All About the Different Dissertation Binding Types

When it comes to dissertation binding, you have several options to choose from. This section will discuss each binding in detail so you can make a well-informed choice regarding your thesis printing and binding configurations.

The Classy Leather Book Binding

The elegant leather book binding is perfect for your research paper or thesis. There’s no doubt that this dissertation binding will reflect your hard work that lies within the pages. Some pages even allow customized embossing and other add-ons such as bookmark ribbons and corner protectors. The leather book binding is certain to make the best first impression on your professor.

        Recommendations: The leather book binding is great for many different types of papers Bachelor thesis Dissertation Research paper Master’s thesis

The Versatile Thermal Binding

You’ll find the classic thermal binding to be a very versatile option. The front cover is transparent, so the first thing that your readers see is your title page, and the faux leather back cover is available in several different colors. This dissertation printing and binding classic is suitable for almost every type of paper.

          Recommendation : Thermal binding is suitable for research papers with a smaller page count. It’s also great for putting extra copies of your paper away into storage.

The Personalized Softcover

The softcover binding is exactly what you need for your creative study program. The front cover can be designed the way you’ve envisioned it — with logos, pictures and different fonts. The personalized softcover dissertation binding will make your work stand out from the rest.

            Recommendation: The softcover binding is great for your art degree, but it cannot hold a large number of pages, so it’s not suitable for your large research paper.

The Cost-friendly Spiral Binding

          Recommendation: Due to its simplicity, the spiral binding is great for smaller papers. It is however, not recommended for large research papers or theses.

An Overview of the Dissertation Binding Methods

You’ll find all of the information above, compiled into one table for the ease of your dissertation printing and binding decision making.

YesYesYesNoYes
The elegant leather book binding is exactly what you need for major papers like a bachelor’s thesis or even a Ph.D.
YesYesYesYesYes
The classic thermal binding is incredibly versatile. This iconic dissertation binding option is great for all types of papers.
YesYesYesYesNo
The personalized softcover binding is just the thing for your creative study program. This binding cannot, however, hold a large number of pages.
NoNoNoYesNo
The spiral binding is the most cost-effective dissertation binding option. It’s however, not suitable for major pieces of academic work like a bachelor’s thesis.

The Perfect Solution for Your Dissertation Printing and Binding

Now you’re very well informed of the dissertation printing and binding process. But there’s one question remaining: How can you find high-quality dissertation printing and binding services? In the end, your decision really comes down to an online print shop or another print shop in your city.

We wish you lots of success with your dissertation printing and binding.

Daniel Reed

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COMMENTS

  1. Dissertation Binding and Printing | Options, Tips, & Comparison

    Easily compare all dissertation binding and printing options. Binding types, Color vs. Black & White, Single vs. Double-sided.

  2. Which Paper For Thesis Printing & Binding? - BachelorPrint

    At BachelorPrint, the 100g/m² paper is the standard paper used for thesis printing. However, if you have a bachelor’s thesis, master’s thesis, PhD thesis or dissertation with a very high page count, we recommend you use the 120g/m² premium paper for thesis printing and have the paper printed on both sides.

  3. Dissertation Printing & Binding | 3D Look Inside Function

    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.

  4. Thesis on Demand

    Thesis on Demand. Your Thesis or Dissertation – Printed and Bound. ON DEMAND. Simply Upload Your PDF and We. Print, Bind & Ship Your Order Directly To You! Cover Options. Theses and dissertations are bound in durable, attractive hard covers. Learn more… Printing & Paper Options. Your PDF is digitally printed. to your specifications.

  5. Dissertation printing and binding: Where to start | Student Hut

    What’s the dissertation printing and binding process? Where can I get high-quality dissertation printing and binding? Read on what you need to know before printing and binding a thesis, essay or research paper. What’s the first step of dissertation printing and binding?

  6. Your Personal Guide: Dissertation Printing and Binding

    For dissertation printing, you need to decide on what type of paper you’d like, your formatting, etc. For dissertation binding, you have several different types of bindings and various add-ons to choose from. By the end of this article, you’ll know which decision is the best for you.