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Glossary
Defining Softbound Book Options
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Hard Binding Information
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Authors enjoy these binding benefits:
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Books cost less to produce, which means they can be sold for less.
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Semi-permanence is a perfect fit for directories/programs, dated materials, periodicals/serials, etc.
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There are many wide and varied ideas regarding softbound books. Concerns range from the appearance to durability, in the finished books. Size and thickness of a book often make decisions for our clients.
All soft binding styles are available in a wide variety of colors and textures
(matte, glossy, linen, leatherette, etc.) in cover stock weights.
Your
softbound books may be imprinted in one or more of our 36 standard ink color
choices. We also offer foil imprinted covers in a selection of several colors.
Covers can be designed and typeset by us, or you may supply the layout and/or
artwork.
Standard soft binding as listed on our standard price lists is for a "one color
cover" due to economic considerations. Basically, this means the
impression/printing on the cover is in only one color, as well as only printed
on the outside of the book (front cover, spine, and back cover). However,
with a bit of creative book design, this can seem like a two color cover.
Think brown ink with cream stock cover for a sepia tone effect or nav
y
impression on baby blue cover, etc. This type of design is one color of
standard book stock and one color of impression/print, giving you the option of
two colors on the cover for a "one color" cover price. In the past, many
authors were hampered in design by the black and white thought processes they
imposed on the inside of their books for economy for their covers. Their
default thought was white cover with black impression. However, if budget
is not a factor, if the customer can conceive a cover strategy, we can make it a
reality.
Photos can be used on covers, as can four color process photos, at an additional charge. Most sketches, maps, or similar line artwork can be utilized in soft cover design at no additional charge.
Spot
color and multiple colors used to be a way to increase your cover color
selection, while not as expensive as four color process. This can still be found
in many places, and we can offer it. We find most authors prefer the option of
digital full color, as our production doesn't provide for much of a general cost
difference between spot, multiple and digital full color. The white/red/black
cover of
Captain Tough, is an excellent
example. Due to the fact the black and red connect, it would have to be at least
a 2 color cover (on white stock for the photograph). However, production
costs for a two color cover and a digital full color cover were the same. So,
rather than run the risk of incorrect register between the colors producing some
"off" covers where white could be seen between the red and black, it was
produced in full color. Once the decision to go full color is chosen, the covers
can be revisited and more color added is desired.
We can produce your covers with color
coat of arms in four color photo process with a combination of
several inks. Four color process covers must be quoted after reviewing the coat
of arms and your request. For most publishing projects, the more economical full digital
color is suggested, and can be quoted without seeing the cover layout.
Full color digital soft covers can be designed
in many different
ways
and types. If keeping the final cost down is a focus, please note that, while
full bleed is possible, and even encouraged, some designs require closer
register near the edges or cover folds. These special layouts will cost more, as
the amount of time spent producing the covers and finer quality controls are
applied to the covers as well.
Film or sheet lamination
(glossy/slick), slip sheeting, and
wrapping, packaging or boxing each book, direct customer shipping are available to our customers.
Inserts such as sales material, last minute addenda material, corrections, or
even supplemental data CD can be added to any
style softbound book project as well.
Optional
handling and shipping of individual sales for our customers has proven
successful, time wise, and cost effective.
Softbound Method/Style Selections
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Currently, the most popular is the perfect bound or wrap around cover. Size suggestion: no more than 300 pages/150 sheets.
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Plastic comb binding is a lay flat option.
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Plastic (spiral) coil binding is a lay flat option - opening a full 360 degrees with ease.
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For books under 80 pages, there is the wire saddle stitch binding. A hardcopy of our tips booklet or pre-2008 catalogs serve as examples of saddle stitch work.
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We still offer the traditional tape and staple (or side stitch) binding.
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Fastback cloth tape binding is a newer method for smaller publishing projects.
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3-ring binding offers ease and flexibility for frequently updated book projects.
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Post/Chicago Screw can use either plastic or metal fasteners.
A note to you from Gregath Company, Inc. One item that remains constant with our books, regardless of binding type, that needs to be highlighted when discussing softbound or "paperback" books is the paper quality. Many people equate softbound books with the paperbacks (perfect binding) with newsprint weight paper they buy at the bookstore. We feel that a book that is published deserves good quality, durable paper. Therefore, the standard paper used (8½x11" 50/60 lb. acid free book stock) is the same for hardbound or softbound books. While you may save a little initially by using newsprint, the book will not stand the test of time. The question then becomes, "Did I really save anything?" Increasingly, if this economic question is - save as much as possible, we suggest choosing to publish by disk - electronically. |
All cover services are available as part of a complete publishing package, POD (small quantity charges may apply), and binding only.
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