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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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Students, office workers, librarians, publishers alike find small and large notepads incredibly useful when taking down important notes to revise later. They are so versatile, you can market them for any use: print photos of wonderful destinations for travel journals, inspirational quotes for personal notepads or beautifully engraved hardcover notebooks that will make perfect gifts.

Pulsio Print offers an array of styles and sizes. All of the standard international paper sizes are available such as A4, A5, Letter, and sizes in between such as B5, halfway between A4 and A5. A6 and A7 are suitable for handbags along with pocket notebooks and notepads. The weight of paper depends on the end-use of the notebook and whether or not you are looking for standard or luxury presentation.

Choose a glued, stitched, stapled, section-sewn or wire-o bound notebook, opening horizontally or vertically for a binding that suits you. We have a variety of materials offering superb printing capabilities for a variety of applications such as recycled cardboard, cloth, leather (natural leather and leather cloth), plastic, softcover, hardcover and many others, that can be coated and uncoated and are 100% customizable. You can even decide on blank pages or ruled pages, ideal for writing and taking notes. Our custom notebooks are printed in rich, bold colour, on uncoated white stock, standing out with a touch of luxury.

Further design options are nearly endless – you can opt for embossing or debossing to create a 3D impression, edge painting or die-cutting to enhance the value. From a simple logo header, to fully customized pages, Pulsio Print has the right solution for you.

We offer notebook printing in different sizes and types of paper allowing you to fully customize it. Depending on the type of notebook required, which may be portrait or landscape, the binding can be done at the top or left in a range of standard or custom sizes. A notebook with beautiful binding allows pages to be torn out cleanly to be stored in loose-leaf or ring binders or lever arch cases. Notebooks that can lie flat or fold fully right around when opened is extremely important in many contexts.

The main binding methods for notebooks are glued (perfect bound), stitched, stapled (for low page counts), spiral and ring binding. Here are some details:

This is a standard paperback binding method. It is not as durable or secure as other binding, such as ring binding, and should be used for notebooks that are to be treated as booklets or paperbacks and not as hard-wearing products. They do not lie flat when opened.

Choose stitched binding for small notebooks, less than 64 pages, which do not need a durable or luxury presentation.

In sewn binding, pages are folded together into sections first, which are then assembled and sewn together. Each section is then sewn into the following section along the spine. The spine is then glued and trimmed on three sides.

The sewn block is then glued together with the cover. Sewn binding allows a variety of covers (soft and hard covers) to be implemented, so the further processing thus depends on the type of cover.

This binding is perfect to give a traditional finish to a printed document.

Similar to spiral binding, this durable and secure binding method is even more stable than spiral, as it deforms less. Double rings give added strength. This is the heaviest and bulkiest binding option.

Notebooks are both really useful and easy to decorate, making them a brilliant giveaway at corporate events or during promotional campaigns.

Because they usually consist of important notes, valuable work, or great ideas, they never get thrown away.

They come in all shapes, sizes, colours and decorations. Make your customers think about your brand positively every time they need to take notes, pin down a great idea, or write something creative!

Personalize your notebook however you want with no limits, and make it distinguishable to your own personal brand. Anything is possible when it comes to custom notebooks. Little details can make a big difference when promoting your brand. You can personalize it with silk-screening, a common and economical way of printing logos or designs.

The technique consists of pushing through a mesh stretched in a frame and transferring the ink to your notebooks. Moreover, if one side is not enough, you can play with double-sided printing for cover-to-cover creativity. Now you can make your notebooks twice as decorative and display your graphic in all its creative glory!

If you are looking for a timeless design you need debossed patterns. By applying heat, the impacted areas of the notebook cover will sink to show the design of your choice, giving your company’s logo an air of sophistication, and your notebook a touch of class.

What is more, we offer notebooks with full-cover printing, so you can fill every last space. You can print high-quality pictures to cover the front and back of your notebook.

You can get simple notebooks or ones that have add-ons, such as pens, pen holders and elastic straps to keep the notebooks secured. Some notebooks also have sticky notes inside to help with efficient note-taking.

Custom printed notebooks are the perfect way to add a personal touch to your notebook and make your logo or own design stand out!

We care about the environment and provide our customers with products that are environmentally friendly. If you want to reduce your company or project carbon footprint, check out our eco-friendly notebooks! They are made entirely from recycled materials including both cover and paper.

They are fully customizable – you can add your logo, choose colors that represent your business and add your business name! Our eco-friendly notebooks come in different page counts and sizes, ensuring you can get the type of notebook that best suits your business needs.

Thus, you save money while promoting your business and saving the environment!

A simple notebook can give your brand the effective marketing it needs. How? With the abundance of brands advertising out there, making your name memorable to the public is a challenging task.

Personalized notebooks are used in daily office environments, making them a brilliant way to promote your brand and leave a good first impression. Help your new starters feel a part of the company instantly, whilst offering them a durable, professional and handy representation of your brand.

Different types of notebooks are used for all sorts of reasons, in everyday life, it’s a great way of having your brand seen by the masses.

They are an ideal, cost-effective method for promoting your business to new and existing clients. Notebooks are one of the cheapest additions you can make to your office. In the long run, buying in bulk can also save you money, making it easier for you to order more later.

Custom notebooks never compromise on quality and are far more sophisticated for office presentation. With excellent quality, unique features and potential to make your notebook perfect, we aim to give you the chance to create a truly memorable, unique and useful notebook that suits you perfectly.

We deliver on time! Every time! From conception to production, it will take 3 to 4 weeks for your project to be delivered at your door.

You have as much input in the final product as you require. If you want a tailor-made notebook and have an exciting design in mind, we’ll help you bring it to life. We’ll help you make your perfect notebook.

* The technical details, which make each process more or less difficult to apply, but which do not directly concern the customer are indicated and translated in the table as differences in “turnaround time”.
** Dimensions for hot stamping/ embossing/ debossing of 100 x 100 mm, on cover A5, print run 1000 copies.

Do you have a design in mind for your notebook printing job and need help? Contact one of our talented graphic design experts and we can help you every step of the process from conception to the final work. Start creating your notebook today!

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Whether called slipcases, presentation book boxes, or collector book boxes, they can make the difference both to single publications and to sets or series of books. They give a unique look and feel and can be customised to either showcase original artwork or give the impression of old-fashioned elegance or of a luxury gift. A boxed set makes an ideal present and looks great on the shelf.

Slipcases and book boxes also protect books from damage and general wear, and that in itself says that a book in a slipcase is a good one and worth taking that extra time and care to protect. Books in cases or boxes will last a lifetime and more, while being at the same time very attractively displayed.

Slipcases and presentation boxes can also be used very effectively for corporate presentation. Giving your clients or business colleagues a company portfolio presented in its own specially designed slipcase, with the corporate image and company logo prominently displayed, will immediately lift your image and make you stand out as a high-end, high-value organisation.

To make that high-end impression, whether in book publications or corporate presentations, you can lift the experience to a new level with special effects such as foil stamping, embossing, spot varnishes, die-cutting or gilding. This can be very effective when the cover of the book inside the collector book box is also enhanced with the same effects, but it can also add value as speciality outer packaging to a simple, classic book cover inside.

To make your book boxes really stand out, they can also be covered with cloth, suede, leather or the material of your choice. Finishing options can include ribbon pulls. Your boxes or slipcases can be as clean and simple or as embellished and decorative as you want!

At Pulsio Print, designing, manufacturing and printing high-end presentation book boxes and slipcases are a speciality. Our cutting-edge technology, high-end equipment and experienced, knowledgeable and professional experts combine to make beautiful, high-value presentation boxes and slipcases to showcase the beautiful and high-value books inside, at an equally attractive price.

Pulsio Print is renowned across Europe for producing some of the finest book boxes available today – at a great value.

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For all document printing – catalogues, brochures or any other media – standard formats and customized formats exist. Standard formats are so-called because their manufacture ensures optimal use of paper while taking into account machine limitations. Custom sizes are more original but generate a higher waste, as they do not optimize paper consumption.

Several factors influence the format choice:

The sales and marketing design choice of the type of catalogue you wish to print. This is the “final format” in our examples.

The available paper sheet sizes, which we will call the “sheet size” in our examples.

The technical possibilities (limits) of the machines.

The cost of the catalogue/brochure will depend on the number of pages that will fit on the chosen paper sheet format.

First, the number of pages that fit on a sheet of paper intended for printing is determined. Then we make cahiers by folding the printed sheet. We can have catalogues with cahiers of 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32 or 64 pages.

Example: 6 pages

Example: 8 pages

Example: 24 pages

The format of an already trimmed (finished) catalogue also depends on the white margin, required for its manufacture.

For a catalogue with a square-glued spine (perfect binding), after choosing the sheet size here is what we have in standard dimensions for the finished catalogue size:

And for a paperback catalogue with a section-sewn (stitched and glued) spine, we have:

For standard formats, a catalogue, like any other printed medium, is referred to either by height or by width. In the first instance we speak of a “French” or “portrait” format, and in the second of “Italian” or “landscape”. The format can also be “square”.

Final formats also depend on machine limits, with a minimum size and a maximum size.

The table below shows the limits for the different manufacturing choices.

* All formats are in centimetres.

** The sizes may vary slightly from one printer to another depending on their machines.

Larger or smaller formats, outside the technical machine limits, are possible but with manual or semi-automatic intervention. Pulsio Print consultants are at your service to deal with these specific requests.

Several other technical factors influence the choice of format for a catalogue or brochure. These are the type of manufacture, the type of paper and the presence of printable elements near the outer edges.

To manufacture a glued catalogue (perfect binding), for example, we need to provide a margin of 2 or 3 mm beyond the final format width on the side of the spine that is to be glued (this is not necessary if the catalogue is to be sewn). Consequently, we must deduct 2-3 mm from the maximum possible size to ensure successful binding (see the different formats in the table above).

The cost of producing a catalogue or other printed product is closely linked to the size of the paper sheets available. It therefore depends on the choice of paper. For example, it is quite possible that a catalogue printed in A5 final format on offset paper will be cheaper than on coated paper, despite the fact that the price per ton for the two papers is the same. If all the parameters of the catalogue are identical and the paper price is as well, this difference can be explained by the unavailability of a suitable size for the chosen paper to be printed. In our A5 catalogue example, offset paper can be found in 64 x 90 cm size, which is the optimal size for A5 final format. Suppose then that this paper sheet size is not available for coated paper, and 70 × 100 cm must be used instead. The bottom line calculations for the sheets with dimensions of 70 x 100 cm will necessarily lead to a higher price for the coated paper version than for the offset paper version, whose sheets are available in optimal format.

It is also important to know that some papers exist in unique formats, including designer and art papers, which can create greater waste (more cutting) and therefore a higher cost.

The presence of printable elements in blank backgrounds near the edge of a catalogue (a frame for example), or the presence of elements that bleed (graphic elements that come up to the edge), decided on during the graphic design, require us to provide greater margins to avoid damaging the elements in question when cutting the catalogue into the final format.

In fact, the sheets of paper which pass through the machines are not printable from end to end. We are talking “maximum printable size”. There has to be an outer margin of about 8 mm. And if the final format of the catalogue is chosen such that after printing the pages arranged on the sheet cover it completely, then this outer margin must be used as a white margin for the pages. On the other hand, if this 8 mm margin is not white but contains bleeds and printable elements, then the printable paper sheet will contain fewer catalogue pages, which inevitably increases the number of sheets to be printed and hence production costs.

Choosing and optimizing your catalogue format is a complex process because of the sheer number of parameters to take into account. This is what makes the printer-client relationship of primary importance in guaranteeing project success.

Our Pulsio Print advisors are at your disposal at all times for any questions and personalised solutions.

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Designed for long-term use, comic books are powerful drivers of artistic creativity for fans of the genre. To allow readers to dive into printed works with pleasure, you need to pay close attention to the rendering of blacks and colours in the artwork, always keeping an expert eye on the nuances required by the demanding manufacturing process. A comic book is successful when you can read and browse through it savouring all the nuances, both textual and graphic.

To achieve these manufacturing results, our technical know-how will respond to your requests one by one. While manufacturing quality is a requirement for any comic book, there are many options available concerning the technical parameters. To help you get to grips with the world of comic books and their characteristics, we have classified them into five categories: “Standard”, “Comics”, “Manga”, “Alternative” and “Luxury”.

Make the correct choice for your comic book at a glance!

A table at the end will give you an overview of ​​the available options.

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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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Their primary function is to join the inside to the cover and to do so efficiently.

The first of the front endpapers and the last of the back endpapers are always clear because of their lamination onto the second and third of the hardcover.

Their number is unchangeable, with four (4) pages at the front and another four (4) pages at the end.

The thickness may be 1.5mm – 2mm – 2.2mm – 2.5mm – 3mm, 15/10 – 20/10, etc. It often depends on the thickness of the interior. The principle is that the thicker the interior volume is, the more weight is added to the card. The most common thicknesses are 2, 2.5, and 3mm.

Usually covered with 150 GSM coated paper, the cover allows offset printing.

Other offset-type papers are available for complex production. The chosen offset paper must be sufficiently flexible not to crack in the corners. We recommend Olin Smooth, Olin Rough, Popset, Cotton Laid, Buckram, Via Felt, and Via Linen.

Instead of paper, you can opt for cloth fabric, leather, or fake leather.

A wide choice is available, and we invite you to check our fabric catalog in the online viewer. You can also visit our manufacturer website, Winter and Company, which offers fabrics such as Skivertex, Novalite, Wibalin, Peltouch, Geltex, Napura, Toile du Marais, Pellaq, Synth3, and Leos Nachfolger. Fabric covers are unprintable, but embossing, relief printing, hot stamping, or screen printing will be applied instead.

Fake leather

You can also opt for a hybrid option with fabric on the spine and paper on the covering. A beautiful compromise, the choice of color also adds an original touch to the design. 

One option also is leaving the card to its raw and natural look without covering it. It is a trend in the world of art and alternative graphic novels.

You can add foam between the card and the paper on the top. It gives volume and a pleasant sensation at the touch. This option is ideal for younger readers or users because it also protects the book.

Foam

The spine of a hardcover book can be straight or round. There needs to be a minimum thickness of 15mm for a round back. It holds large book pages together to mitigate their thickness.

Round spine

They are small pieces of fabric glued to the head and the tail of the hardcover book, which is usually black or white but can be of different colors, adding to the style and aesthetics of the product. They are integral parts of the cover card when the back exceeds 10 mm.

Black endband

The bookmark is another version of a page marker, a little cloth ribbon glued under the headband at the head of the book. It makes it easier to find a specific page in the book. For greater sophistication, choose two bookmarks in different colors. The bookmark has a rightful place in a beautiful publication and a blend of practicality and elegance.

Bookmarks of different colours

Spiral bound binds the interior and the cover without glue. In this case, you will have both the solidity of the rigid card and the 360⁰ opening of the spiral. It is a binding choice often found in diaries, textbooks, and cookbooks.

Possible choices for each element of your bound book according to its page count:

In the following, you will see the possible choices for each element of your hardcover book according to its page count:

Choosing between a soft cover and a hard cover is not always evident.

Budget: a hardcover indeed represents a more expensive solution. In the case of low page counts, the cost of manufacturing the cover may be greater than the cost of production of the whole inner block.

Specifications: A4 size, 96 pages + (8 non-printed endpapers), matte lamination, four-sided recto verso printing on coated paper 130 GSM, 1,000 copies, delivery included.

Rates:

• Softcover, perfect bound: £2158
• Softcover, tread sewn bound: £2337
• Hardcover, case-bound, 2mm (20/10): £4115
  

Content: Some book contents deserve a hardcover. When we find ourselves in the realm of beautiful books, a hardcover is a must.

Target market: depending on the intended use for the work, its strength is a primary factor. For example, the best option for children’s books is hardcover. It guarantees the durability of the book.

Commercial strategy: Everything you need to embellish a printed product is available with a hardcover. The visual impact of a product remains crucial today. A book in hardcover can make all the difference.

Pulsio Print advisors are available to answer your questions and give you all the support you need.

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In the field of book publishing, but also for other printed documents, there are standard formats and custom formats. It can be assumed that standard formats are formats designed for optimal use of paper while taking into account machine limitations. Custom formats, on the other hand, are more original, but the paper consumption is not optimized and they cause higher waste.

The format depends on the type of book that the publisher wishes to publish (“finished book format” in our examples), the technical possibilities of the machines and the available sheet sizes (“sheet size” in our examples). The choice of the format of the finished product depends on the number of pages that will enter the format of the sheet and therefore the cost of the product.

The number of pages printed on a sheet of paper is determined first. Then the folded sheet will form signatures. Books can be composed of signatures of 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32 or 64 pages.

Example 6 pages

Example 8 pages

Example 24 pages

The trimmed / finished formats depend on the white margin, in mm, needed for binding, as well as the capabilities of the machines, and of course the size of the sheets of paper.

As shown in the table below, depending on the “format of the sheet” the final mini and maxi finished formats of a perfect bound book can be the following:

And for a sewn book we will find:

For standard sizes, a book, like any other document, is printed either in the direction of the height (portrait format) or in the direction of the width (landscape format).

Landscape format

Portrait format 

Square format

Finished formats also depend on machine limits, with a minimum size and a maximum size.

*All formats are in centimeters.
** The sizes may vary slightly from one printer to another, depending on their machines.
Larger or smaller formats, outside the technical machine limits, are possible but with a “manual” or semi-automatic intervention. Pulsio Print advisors are at your service to answer these specific requests.

Several technical parameters influence the choice of a book format. We chose 3: the type of binding, the type of paper and the presence of printable elements near the outer edges of the book.

For a perfect bound book, for example, we need to provide a 2 or 3 mm cut on the bonded side. While for that of a sewn book this is not necessary. Therefore, we must deduce these 2-3 mm of the maximum format to ensure the bonding.

When choosing paper, you should know that the price depends on the sizes of paper sheets available. For example: a book printed on offset paper in A5 finished format will be cheaper than on the bulky paper, while the price per ton of paper is the same. If all the parameters of the book are the same and the paper price too, this difference may appear if the chosen paper is not available in the format required for printing. In our example of the offset paper book – we can find paper in format 64 X 90 cm – optimal format for the finished format A5, while suppose that this format is not available for the bulky paper that exists only in the 70 × 100 format. Printed on the sheets of 70X100 cm, the “bulky paper” version book will have a higher cost.

You should know that some papers exist in unique formats, including creative papers or art, which can determine a greater waste (more cutting) and therefore a higher cost.

When calculating the price and choosing the finished formats, it is essential to take into account the presence of printable elements near the edge of the book.

By the way, it is not possible to print on a margin of about 8 mm from the edge of the finished book format. That means that the paper can pass into the machine, but the printing to the edge can’t be done. This is not a problem when this margin is white, but a larger sheet of paper is required when there are some printable elements in this white margin.

In conclusion, the choice and optimization of the format of a book can be a complex process because of the multitude of parameters to be taken into account. This is one of the areas where a printer-publisher interaction is paramount.

Our consultants are at your service for personalized solutions to any of your projects.

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