Binding Dissertations and Theses

Dissertation Binding

As the Preservation Department cannot process binding jobs for individuals wanting to have their masters thesis (M.A.) or dissertations (PhD) bound, we have gathered the following helpful information:

• Check With Your Department
  Many departments on campus send M.A. thesis and PhD dissertations to the Preservation Department for binding using an interdepartmental voucher. The Preservation Department only deals with interdepartmental vouchers.

• Payment for Interdepartmental Vouchers
  There is a minimum billing of $15.00, with a two week turn around time for interdepartmental vouchers.

• Download Dissertation Binding Form
  To reduce the chance for errors we provide a form (MS Word format) that will need to filled out for each title brought to us for binding. Please fill out the form completely in Word and submit to us electronically as well as printed out with the dissertation.

• Ask a Question
  Please contact us with questions at 315.443.4560 or via mhanley@syr.edu if there are any questions about the process or form.

• Our Binder
  Syracuse University Library now works with the HF Group, a large diversified library binder. They are online at http://www.thehfgroup.com/.

  • The HF Group also offers print on demand dissertation printing and binding for organizations and individuals through their Book Partners subsidiary. The process is quite easy - fill out the form, attach a print ready PDF version of the thesis or dissertation, select options, and enter payment information. The bound copy will be sent to you at the address you specify. To learn more about these services go to http://www.bookpartners.com/.

Paper Specification and Adhesive Materials for Dissertation Binding

Syracuse University Graduate School requires certain archival specifications for paper and adhesives for Masters and Doctoral Theses. The following information helps you easily find the appropriate materials you need.

Paper Specifications

• While all bond papers may appear to be the same, some have a high acid level or added fillers, which will cause them to become brittle and/or discolored over time.

• Do not assume that the paper supplied by commercial copiers is archival; it may not be. Type or print your archival document on high-quality, white paper, minimum 20-pound weight, with 25% rag content and 8 ½’’x11’’ in size. The paper must be of archival quality with low acid (a minimum 2% alkaline reserve).

• Specifications should be clearly noted on the paper wrapper/box at the time of purchase. Should you have any questions on the paper, please contact the Graduate Enrollment Management Center prior to its use. Do not use erasable papers. Thirteen or sixteen pound weight paper is acceptable for non-archival copies. Please use only white paper.

• The following suppliers carry paper suitable for theses and dissertations:

  Suppliers	Suitable Papers
  SU Bookstore:	Third Floor: Eaton Acid Free Thesis Paper 25% cotton, 20 or 24 lb.
  Follett's Orange Bookstore:	Eaton Acid Free Thesis Paper 25% cotton.
  Gaylord Brothers (Syracuse Based Company - Mail Order Only):	Permalife Bond
  Staples:	Mead Fine Business Stationery, 25% Cotton, Strathmore Writing Paper, 25% Cotton, Classic Cotton (Neenah Paper) Writing Paper, Eaton Diamond White 25% Cotton, Eaton 25% Cotton Fine Business Paper.
  Office Max:	Eaton Dimond White 25% Cotton
  Office Depot:	Eaton Diamond White 25% Cotton, Eaton 25% Cotton Laser Paper, Southworth 25% FIne Business Paper.

Adhesives and Mounting Materials

• Any thesis which includes illustrations or photographs which are pasted into the final document must use an acceptable archival adhesive. The majority of commonly available adhesives are not archival. They will either yellow over time, lose their adhesive quality, and/or literally eat away and destroy the papers they glue together.

• Some acceptable adhesives include dry mounting and Positionable Mount Adhesive #538. Polyvinyl acetate adhesive (Elmers glue) may be used to mount illustrations but not to mount photographs as there will be a destructive chemical reaction between the glue and the photo emulsion. So do not use rubber cement, super glue, glue sticks, spray adhesive, gummed or cellophane tapes. Look for the term “archival” before choosing any adhesive.

• Most paper and all acetate photographic corners slide holders, and picture pockets will degrade over time and therefore are unacceptable. Polyester or polypropylene versions of these products are archival and can be used.

• The following suppliers carry adhesives suitable for mounting illustrations or photographs in theses and dissertations:

  Suppliers	Suitable Adhesives and Mounting Materials
  SU Bookstore:	Basement: Lineco Neutral pH Adhesive, Elmer's Glue, Sobo Glue. Suitable Mounting Materials: Third Floor: Print FIle™ Negative Preservers, Print File™ Slide Pages, Print File™ Photo Holders.
  Gaylord Brothers (Syracuse Based Company - Mail Order Only):	3M #568 Cold Mount Adhesive, Gaylord® white pH neutral adhesive, Gaylord® Photo corners, Print File™ Negative Preservers, Print File™ Slide Pages, Photo Album Pages.
  Staples:	JM Photo Mounting Corners, Avery Polypropylene Photo Pages, JM Horizontal Format Photo Pages, Elmer's Glue.
  Office Max:	Elmer's Glue.
  Office Depot:	Uniek 35mm Slide Pages, Clear Plastic 4-Pocket Photo Pages, Elmer's Glue.

More information for Theses Format

• For more detailed information about the format of Master and Doctoral theses please see the Syracuse University Graduate School format guideline for Masters and Doctoral Theses.  These guidelines were established in response to frequent queries and are designed to help you easily find the appropriate materials you need.

• If you have any questions regarding these or other materials, please contact Marianne Hanley in Preservation at 315.443.4262.