Our Book Printing Options Explained

Learn about book sizes, binding methods, types of paper and more

Jump to: Book sizes • Book Binding • Paper Type • Soft covers  • Hard covers • Endpapers • Cover Lamination • Finishing touches

Common Book Sizes

We can print almost any custom book size, but listed here are the book sizes that are most commonly used

B6 - 148 x 105mm

B Format - 198 x 129mm

A5 - 210 x 148mm

Demy - 216 x 138mm

Royal - 234 x 156mm

Crown Quarto - 246 x 189mm

A4 - 297 x 210mm

Square 210 x 210mm

Book Binding

Together with our binding partners, we offer a wide range of book binding options

Perfect Binding

Perfect binding is the standard book binding format for softback books (AKA paperback or softcover books). Perfect binding involves gluing the pages into the cover, before trimming to give a ‘perfect’ finish and a square-backed spine. A cost-effective option.

PUR Binding

PUR binding gives the same softback look as perfect binding but is much stronger. PUR glue is also more flexible, meaning books can open wider, and is longer-lasting. PUR is best suited to books with heavyweight papers or a large number of pages.

Wiro Binding

Also known as spiral, coil, or ring binding. This method uses coated metal wires to bind documents together. It’s useful where your book needs to lie flat or fold back on itself. The cover can be a card or thicker board.

Sewn binding

Sewn binding is a traditional book binding method, which is still popular. Pages are collected into sections, and sewn together. Sewn binding is strong and can be used for both softback and hardback books.

Case binding

Case binding is the traditional method for creating a quality, hardback book. Case bound books can be sewn, or glued. They can have round or square spines. Head and tail bands can be added (more details towards the bottom of this page)

Saddle Stitch

Saddle stitching involves sheets that are folded to make a booklet, which is bound with two ‘staples’ down the spine. It’s what’s used for most magazines and brochures, where the spine is not square. It’s a lower cost binding option.

Flexi binding / Ota binding

Flexi binding / Ota binding offers a mix of the best features of case bound and softback binding methods. Incorporating a softcover, and a flexible spine, the finished book opens flatter (better ‘lay flat’ properties) than other types of softback book. Endpapers can be added. This is one of our preferred binding methods.

We also offer alternative book binding methods such as; notch binding, lay flat binding, swiss binding, and more. Contact us for more info.

Paper Type – inner pages

Inner pages of books are usually printed on one of two broad types of paper; coated and uncoated.

Coated paper

  • Coated paper has a smoother feel
  • Comes in matte, silk and gloss finishes.
  • Great for illustrated and graphical books.

Popular choice: Silk paper

Popular weights: 115 gsm, 130gsm and 150gsm.

Uncoated paper

  • A slightly rougher, more tactile feel
  • Typically used when the content is mainly text
  • Gives images a flatter, more natural look

Popular choice: Bookwove, white or cream.

Popular weights: 70 gsm and 80 gsm.

Other paper types are available so, if you’re unsure, please ask.

Softcovers

We recommend one-sided board for a quality softback cover.

One-sided board

This is the most popular choice for softback book cover material. As the name suggests, one-sided board can only be printed on one side (i.e. the outer cover only). One-sided board gives your book a stiffer, more substantial cover, compared to silk. Which means your book’s cover is less likely to warp and bend over time, and it just ‘feels’ better.

Popular options: 240gsm (regular) and 300 gsm (stiffer)

Silk

If your softback book’s cover needs to be printed on the inner covers, then silk is a material to consider. Despite the increased weight, silk results in a more flimsy cover compared to one-sided board, because both sides of the paper are coated. Hence, unless you want to print on your inner covers, it’s not our preferred choice.

Popular silk cover options: 350 gsm

Hardcovers

Below are the three most popular methods used when making a case bound book’s cover.

Printed paper case

A printed paper case (PPC) is a printed and laminated sheet which is wrapped and glued onto a case bound book’s hard case. Can be used with or without a dust jacket. If a dust jacket is used in conjunction with a printed paper case, often both will use the same design. Many books only need a printed paper case.

Cloth

Cloth was traditionally used to cover the case of a case bound book. Cloth covers are often given a foil blocking on the spine and front cover. Can be used with or without a dust jacket. Genuine cloth can be expensive, but imitation cloth provides an excellent alternative at more reasonable prices.

Dust jacket

A dust jacket is an optional, printed sheet that is often used to wrap around a case bound book. The dust jacket covers the case, without attaching to it. Flaps fold under the inner covers. Dust jackets can optionally be finished with foil blocking, embossing, and UV varnish.

Endpapers

  • Endpapers are used in case bound books, to join the book block (pages) to the case.
  • The endpaper is a long sheet, half of which is glued into the inner cover, and the other half is glued along a thin strip of the first/last page of the book, leaving the rest to be loose (almost like a page of the book).
  • Case-bound books have two endpapers – one at the front and another at the back.
  • Endpapers can be printed or left blank
  • Endpapers can also be used on some softback books, eg flexi-bound books, to give a thicker cover and premium finish.

Cover Lamination

All softcovers, printed paper cases and dust jackets that we print are given a lamination, for greater durability.

Choose from matt or gloss lamination. If in doubt, choose matt!

Matt lamination

Matt lamination gives a quality, smooth, low-sheen finish. Matt is usually our recommendation.

Gloss lamination

Gloss lamination is a high sheen surface that protects and enhances your book’s cover.

Finishing touches

We also offer multiple print finishes to enhance your book

  • Cover flaps – an extra folded part of a softback cover, for adidtional info and extra cover thickness.
  • Embossing and debossing – the raised or indented parts of the cover, for extra emphasis.
  • UV varnish – Add selective shiny areas to the cover. Also known as ‘spot varnish’.
  • Head and tail bands – a band of fabric at the top and bottom of a case bound book’s spine.
  • Ribbon markers – add a ribbon, often found on cookery books and reference books.
  • Gilt edging – ink is applied to the edge of each page.

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