A binding in which the folded sections are sewn together with thread before being glued into the cover. The spine is still square, but the book no longer depends on glue alone.
Perfect binding, sewn binding and Swiss binding, in cross-section. Diagram: IN TEMPO, licence CC BY 4.0. Reuse this diagram
In practice
It costs more and takes longer than perfect binding, and earns it on a book that is used often, kept for years, or printed on heavy stock. It opens flatter, which helps spreads. To decide, nothing beats handling a sewn copy on the same paper: the difference shows the first time it is opened.
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