Printing & Binding

Standard sizes of trimmed paperbacks and cased book blocks

unsewn sewn
(height x width, mm) (height x width, mm)

Margins and Bleeds

We would recommend a minimum margin of 6mm of white space between the text and the trimmed edge or gutter, on all four sides. Generally we do not recommend bleeds on web printing; however in some circumstances bleeds can be accommodated (for example by using oversized reels). Please contact us for more details.

Extents

For the most cost effective production, final page extent should be divisible by 48 for A and B formats, and 32 for Demy and Royal formats.

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Positioning of Separate Illustrations

Illustration sections must fall equidistant from the centre of the book to be suitable for head to head binding.

Example 1: The diagram shows 2 illustration sections (A), (B) falling equidistant from the centre of the book between 5/32 page text sections imposed 2 up head to head

Example 2: This diagram shows one illustration section (A) falling nearest to middle of book. This is due to the odd number of text sections. 50% of books will have this illus. section falling before the centre text section. 50% of the books will therefore have the illus. section falling after the centre text section

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Text Bulks

Minimum and maximum text bulks for binding, excluding covers and cases

Text Bulk Calculation
Extent x Paper Micron / 2000 = Text Bulk in mm
NB final bulk will always be subject to variation in paper micron


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Tolerances

Our machine tolerances are up to +/- 2mm.

Please contact us for more details

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Binding Options

Styles

We offer both unsewn (perfect) and sewn, paperback and cased (hardback or flexible case) binding. Cased binding styles include:

• standard hardback* (material or printed cases, with or without jackets).
• flexible Reece cases.
• flexible PVC cases.
  

For printed cases we do not recommend UV varnish as a finish as this will crack on the joints of the case. We would always advise lamination.

Materials - House Range

• Embossed Papers.
• PVC Coated Papers.
• Acrylic Coated Papers.
• Aqueous Coated Papers.
• Paper-Lined Cloth.
• Library Buckram.
• Bonded Leather.
• Paper endpapers.
• White-backed endpapers.

Please contact us for samples if required.

Extras

The optional extras for binding requested most frequently are listed below. Please contact us to discuss any other ideas or special requirements.

• Head and tail bands.
• Marker ribbon(s).
• Embossing.
• Foil blocking.
• Sprayed edges - using coloured or metallic dye.
• Gilded edges - in gold or silver.
• Endpapers - white, cream, coloured, printed or white-backed coated paper (for Reece cases).
• Rounded corners - text and covers / cases.
• Blind frame and bars, raised bars.
• Inserts.
• Stickers.
• Individual shrink wrapping.
• Slip cases and boxes.

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