Printing and binding library downloads

[chrisbutch]

It seems unlikely that this subject hasn't been covered before, so apologies if I'm reentering well-trodden ground.
One factor which has deterred me from making use of the download library is the challenge of printing and binding to a standard which is going to be practically useful on a piano desk. Do people manage to do this on a bog-standard desktop printer? What quality of paper needs to be used which will maintain its structure when open on the desk? And what kind of binding technique do people use such that the pages both turn easily and stay flat once turned?

[faulty_damper]

Spiral bind it and use plastic see-through covers.  This will stay flat on the music desk.  Do not use the comb binding since it is fragile and the pages can fall out easily.

The quality of the paper depends on what you're willing to spend.  I prefer printing on off-white paper that is relatively thick so there is minimal show-through.  If you really want to get fancy, print on cotton paper since it's much more durable.  Money is printed on cotton paper.  Do not use the cheap photocopy paper.

[quantum]

Print with laser printer and use three ring binders.  This allows re-organization of music for performance situations.  Binder is organized in performance order, so there is no fumbling for music during the event. 

Heavier paper weight will be more durable, but as its name suggests also heavier.  So if you are performing an opera with 400 pages of music and travel frequently to rehearsals, you may wish to consider the weight of your paper. 

I'm hoping flexible e-paper technology will take off.  Imagine a sheet that is sized for a piano music rack, with four page spread.  Load your PDF's onto it, roll it up when done. 

https://gizmodo.com/5973723/these-flexible-e+paper-tablets-could-change-your-desk-forever

[j_menz]

I'm hoping flexible e-paper technology will take off.  Imagine a sheet that is sized for a piano music rack, with four page spread.  Load your PDF's onto it, roll it up when done. 

Gimme Gimme Gimme!!!!!

[chrisbutch]

Thanks for suggestions. I must confess, however, that I struggle to make sense of this in cost/benefit terms. Unless you already have access to the equipment for other reasons, the capital outlay is significant: a printer (since most domestic desktop printers are limited to A4 maximum, and reading a six-system score in A4 on a desk at 60cms is a real strain unless your eyes are very good); a spiral binder, good quality paper, not to mention the subscription itself and the ludicrous cost of ink. Set against this the fact that everything in the library is, by definition, out of copyright, and that in most cases decent editions are therefore widely available at a reasonable price. I can see there's a case if something is unexpectedly and urgently needed to meet a deadline: but as a standard means of building up your library? I do, as I say, struggle. What am I missing?

[faulty_damper]

You go to the library or photocopy store with your own larger-than-A4 paper to print it out.  This way, you don't need to buy a printer nor ink and it's laser-printed.  They may even print it for you.

I have four shelves of music that I spent thousands of dollars on.  Almost all of it is publisher-bound and not home-printed.  I can quickly identify the works because the titles are printed on the edges.  But, I spent a lot of money on it.  I wouldn't want to look at a bunch spiral bound music because they all look alike.

Other than that, use a tablet and put it on the music rack and read off of that instead.  Some people are doing that now, though the size of the screen will be the biggest setback.

[j_menz]

Set against this the fact that everything in the library is, by definition, out of copyright, and that in most cases decent editions are therefore widely available at a reasonable price.
...
 What am I missing?

The vast number of pieces that are not only out of copyright but also out of print.

I have a preference for publisher bound editions, but not even close to everything is available, so scans are a necessity.

[Bob]

Or just print out what you need, what you're working on.  Print to whatever paper.  Mark it up how you want.  Memorize it.  Trash the paper copy later if you want. 

Or just read off the computer screen for sight-reading.

[chrisbutch]

I take the point about out-of-print material. Of course that's true. Not so sure about sight-reading off a computer, however. If one's only computer is a large and clunky desktop, easier said than done.

[visitor]

https://www.amazon.com/Fellowes-Manual-Binding-Machine-5006501/dp/B008WJYMTQ/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1392729404&sr=8-9&keywords=book+binding

[Bob]

$65?  I thought those things were uber-expensive.  Like $1,000. 

That would explain why someone I know got one and was their own "publishing company."  

[anima55]

I use display books for the music I download.  I don't get the cheaper ones because they tend not to lie flat when opened but the slightly better quality display books from a stationer are very good, reasonably priced and they keep even the cheapest quality paper in good condition due to the protective plastic pages.

I admit it is a bit of a pain having to pull single sheets out if you want to mark them, but apart from this, I think they're a very good way of keeping music safely and in good condition.

[chrisbutch]

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is a 'display book'?

[anima55]

It may be an English term but it's a folder with very thin plastic pockets (20 or 40) which you can slip paper into.  It works well for music and keeps the music in very good condition. 

[Bob]

Sounds like the plastic holders students use for turning in reports. 

[chrisbutch]

Got it, thanks.
I've been vaguely aware of an entire industry, it seems, appearing in recent years to supply the complex stationery which modern education apparently requires. In my youth all you needed was a fountain pen and an exercise book...

[Bob]

Ah... I was thinking these, report covers.
https://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00GSQTPtNaRfqv/Report-Cover-with-Plastic-Binding.jpg

Display books... Hm.  Impressive.  Better grade with those.  In my day... Neat handwriting and a report cover went a long way.  Now it's, "No display cover?  B.  And what's this font?  Don't tell me you were actually going to use Times New Roman.  And don't even think about Helvetica....."