A book signature is a sheet of paper consisting of four or more printed pages and folded one or more times to the approximate size of one page of a future book or other printed product. It folds in a way that puts the pages in the correct order. A whole sheet of paper 70x100cm, 64x90cm, or another size can have a different number of signatures. The number of signatures in a whole sheet is determined by how many pages there are in each signature, and the number of pages depends on the size, type of paper, paperweight, and the type of binding.

Book with 16 signatures with no spine

Also known as a book block, the book body consists of sheets or book signatures that can be bound. This does not include the front and back pages, which are additionally glued to the body, like the endpapers.

The outer part of the book, which surrounds the book block to protect it during use and storage, and, of course, serves as a way to communicate with the client after graphic design, printing, and decoration. The two main types of binding of modern books are hard and softcover:

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Flexible and thick paper (thickness over 0.30 mm) is used to make the cover of a paperback book. The paper body is fastened to the cover by gluing (usually or PUR).

To make the cover of a hardcover book, cardboard with a thickness of 1.5 mm to 3 mm is used. The bulkier the body, the greater the thickness of the cardboard.

The flaps are a continuation of the paperback, folded to the inside of the book. They can perform the same function as the hardcover cover, providing more space for presentation and marketing, a summary or additional layout. Of course, you can leave all this space free or add just a little emphasis. The flaps have a functional value that allows the reader to use them as a divider. You can choose to have two flaps or just one.

Covering/Cloth covering is the material used to cover the cardboard. The cardboard should be covered to have a better aesthetic appearance of the hard cover. It is usually covered in paper, cloth, leather or imitation leather. There is also a possibility for a mixed option: the cover of the cardboard could be made of paper, and only the spine – left as is. Some artists leave the cardboard without covering it in paper or cloth. Between the cardboard and the covering paper/cloth you can add foam, which gives extra volume and softness. Cloth covering does not allow standard offset printing and requires the use of techniques such as embossing, hot stamping or screen printing.

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Cloth

Faux leather

This is the part of the book where the cover material hides the set of book signatures. It is the part that is visible when the book is placed on the shelf. Usually the name of the work is written, and the name of the author, and the number of the book in the series (if it is a part of a series). The spine of the hard cover can be straight or rounded. The rounded back is preferred especially for a larger number of pages of the book, as it gives it elegance.

Spine with cloth and cardboard debossed

Straight spine

Round spine

Spine in blue and chrome paper cover with print

Foam rubber

These are the pages, usually white, that are always glued to a hard cover. Their purpose is to make the binding between the book body and the cover stronger. Usually one endpaper consists of 2 sheets (4 pages). The front endpaper is glued with its first page to the back of the front cover, the back with its fourth page to the inside of the back cover. Logically, the pages of the endpapers, which are glued to the covers, are left white. At your request, the other pages of the endpapers can have a print with text, illustration or image. They can be without printing, but instead with colored paper (such as offset) in different colors to match the design of the book.

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Endpapers with print

Head and tail band is a small piece of canvas added at the top and bottom of the spine of the book, between the body and the cover. It is glued to strengthen the spine and eliminate the gap between the book body and the hardcover, when the book is closed. It also has a decorative, aesthetic significance. It can be in different colors. The head and tail band must be added for spines exceeding 10 mm.

Represents the place where the back passes into the cover. Its shape is not straight, but slightly concave – like a gutter.

It is a more elegant version of the classic paper divider. It is a thin piece of cloth glued under the head-band and serves to mark the pages read. For more sophistication, there may be two bookmarks in different colors instead of one. The rbbon bookmark is completely suitable in works of art, and the possibilities for numerous color shades combine the useful with the sophisticated.

Ribbons in different colours

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Before you send your files for printing, they will need to be correctly prepared. Amongst the things you will need to consider are the image resolution, the bleed, safety margins, ink coverage, frames, inner pages, and whether you want paperback or hardcover.

There are many other options and unknowns that you need to identify in order to make your order process smooth and fast. Check out what else is included in the process of preparing your files.

After receiving your quote and preparing your files, you will have to send them to the pre-press department for them to be examined and checked.

Clearing all the unknowns and answering all questions that may arise will further expedite the whole process.  There are several options that you can use to send your files.

At this stage, you will go through a file validation process that will reveal the compatibility of your files with the printing process. This process is focused on fixing errors that might have crept in before going to print.

The physical quality of your book relies heavily on the paper that you choose. Getting to know the features of the most commonly used papers is of critical importance for the overall quality of your next print job.

Some other factors that you need to take into consideration are the printing technology that will be used and the touch and feel of the papers.  Find out how choosing the right paper affects the final result of your printing.

Your book cover is the soul of and the window into your book. The book binding and the book cover usually reflect the overall quality of the printed product, just like the icing on a cake.

This part of the print project needs to satisfy three requirements: the ease of storage and handling of the book, optimal comfort while reading, and of course good overall protection for the product.

Choosing the interior paper and the cover specifications is only part of the job. Once the basics are established there’s a range of things you can choose to add value to the finished product, such as adding varnishes and lamination, hot stamping and embossing, as well as metalised papers with a selection of different effects. Read more on lamination and special finishes to see how your next print project can be turned into a masterpiece.

To learn more about the pre-press and printing process you can head over to the how to print novels and non-fiction article that explains in greater detail the ABCs of the printing process.

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“Stand Up Paddle: Technical Training and Physical Preparation” is a book that deals with the fundamentals of Stand Up Paddle – SUP. It’s the first of its kind in Europe.

The publisher asks the question “how can we give the impression of the ‘anti-slip’ surface of the paddle on the cover?” Then in close cooperation with consultants at Pulsio Print he redraws the letters SUP to imitate the appearance of the surface of a paddle, filling the letters “SUP” with a specially selected varnish with a grainy effect, a sandy kind. Used only on these three letters it gives both visually and to the touch the feel of the anti-slip surface of the paddle itself. So any reader diving into this manual will remember the pleasure of surfing with the paddle.

The publisher asks the question “how can we give the impression of the ‘anti-slip’ surface of the paddle on the cover?” Then in close cooperation with consultants at Pulsio Print he redraws the letters SUP to imitate the appearance of the surface of a paddle, filling the letters “SUP” with a specially selected varnish with a grainy effect, a sandy kind. Used only on these three letters it gives both visually and to the touch the feel of the anti-slip surface of the paddle itself. So any reader diving into this manual will remember the pleasure of surfing with the paddle.

“Stand up Paddle: Technical training and physical preparation” – the useful and enjoyable manual that will bring back the feeling of summer throughout the year.

It’s a manual which in its first section recaps the technical fundamentals of this sports discipline and, in the second part, deals with the physical specifics of stand up paddle (SUP).

This highly practical and abundantly illustrated four-colour book will allow everyone to take full advantage of this outdoor sport. Its large format makes it extremely readable and easy to use, as does the lightness of the inner paper (115 g / m2).

If you have a concept for a catalogue, book, brochure or other printed product but do not have a designer, we have the resources to help you.

Our graphic designers and DTP specialists are at your disposal. Talk them through your concept, they will visualise it and suggest a design solution adapted to your project. Beyond the purely graphic and aesthetic aspects they will realise your ideas as well as possible within the constraints of a printed product: that’s what we’re here for. And even if your budget is limited, we will find a way to adapt to it: our price-performance ratio is the best in Europe.

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