Definition of selective binding

binding technique that selects and binds various publication segments into various finished print products for different intended recipients in one binding run. For example, a catalog can be selectively bound so that pages advertising women's fashions will be sent only to women, or pages advertising gardening tools will go only to people living in single-family dwellings. The selective binding process is driven by a code in the address file that indicates which sections each individual in the file should receive. That same address file provides the address information for the mailing label. Substantial cost savings are achieved by printing, binding, and mailing all versions at once. The selective binding process can also be used to insert special reply forms, to attach different covers to newsstand and subscription magazine copies, or to conduct price or other promotional tests. This process was developed by R. R. Donnelley & Sons under the trademark name "Selectronic Gathering."