Perfect binding is a popular bookbinding method used for paperback books. In this process, the pages are gathered and aligned, then glued together at the spine with a strong adhesive. This creates a flat spine that can be printed on, allowing for easy identification on shelves. The cover is then wrapped around the glued pages and trimmed to size, giving the book a polished look. Perfect binding is cost-effective and suitable for medium to large print runs, making it a common choice for publishers and self-publishing authors alike.