Glossary
Catalog
S&H
Part
I
Printed Book
Family History
State
Part II
E-Book
Genealogy & History
Fiction
Part III
Non-Book Items in our Catalog
Other Sections
(May include Printed Book, E-Book and Other)
New
Additions
New
Reprints
Gift Services
Online
Order Form Links (SCL)
Glossary
Defining Softbound Book Options
Click here for
Hard Binding Information
Please be patient as photos load.
Authors enjoy these binding benefits:
-
Books cost less to produce, which means they can be sold for less.
-
Semi-permanence is a perfect fit for directories/programs, dated materials, periodicals/serials, etc.
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 fore 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 the 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.
We can produce your covers with color
coat of arms in four color photo process or by the combination of
several inks, depending upon the make-up of the coat of arms.
These covers must be quoted after reviewing the coat of arms and
your request. For smaller publishing projects, the more economical full digital
color is available.
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.
Select Softbound Method/Style Selections
-
Currently, the most popular is the perfect bound or wrap around cover. Size suggestion: no more than 300 pages.
-
Plastic or wire comb binding is a lay flat option.
-
Plastic or wire (spiral) coil binding is a lay flat option - opening a full 360 degrees with ease.
-
For books under 80 pages, there is the wire saddle stitch binding. A hardcopy of our tips booklet or catalog serve as examples of saddle stitch work.
-
We still offer the traditional tape and staple (or side stitch) binding.
-
Fastback cloth tape binding is a newer method for smaller publishing projects.
-
3-ring binding offers ease and flexibility for frequently updated book projects.
-
Post/Chicago Screw can use either plastic or metal fasteners.
A note to you from The Gregath Publishing Company 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.
Home Page > Book Preparation Tips > Softbound Books
