A book is a medium for storing data in the form of text or pictures, usually written out of several hundred pages covered together and protected with a durable cover. The technical term for this compressed physical arrangement is hardback. Hardback books can be divided into two major categories: bound hardback and cross-bound hardback. In a traditional hardback book, the pages are placed in a bound and glued with stitching between the sheets.
A variation of the bind, a slip case, allows the pages to be loosely bound together on one side. This type is more popular among children’s books. The pages are bound together on one side, not both. A typical slip case has the pages secured with elastic bands and glued between two sheets of white or off-white paper. Sometimes a single sided version is also available. The advantage of having one sided pages is that you can flip quickly from one page to the next.
Some popular versions of a slip case include a slip case, book jacket, or a pocket. They are commonly seen on old textbooks, and are a good choice for storing badly damaged, valuable, or rare books. Most often they will be book bound together with an acid-free cloth.
A hardbound version makes good books, because the pages are permanently attached. Because they are glued permanently together, you cannot simply rip them apart and reapply glue or staples. If you wish to make photocopies of important texts, this is an excellent choice. Even if the pages are damaged beyond repair, there may still be an edition of your chosen book available. If you plan to use a scanner for future reproductions, then you will need the hardcover, because even highly damaged paperbacks can easily be restored to their former condition.
Some books are sold as single covers, some are published with two (or more) covers, and some are semi-covers or half-covers. Sometimes, depending on the size and popularity of a book, several different covers will be available. Some authors like to control the way their covers look, by choosing what background they want, what type of font, etc. Some authors do not want their readers to have any control whatsoever over how their covers look. Covers therefore are designed to maximize sales, but to minimize aesthetic considerations.
When considering the cost of a book cover, keep in mind that each copy will cost about three times as much as its normal publishing cost. For instance, a trade paperback will cost you one hundred dollars, but it will be bound in a thick hardcover with a one inch border, making it three inches in height, making it more expensive than its paperback counterpart. The cost is nearly constant, although there are always some sales that will decrease the price. However, a good designer will be able to create something unique and cover your book for less than a third of the original price.
Covers are not used solely to “make a good impression.” In fact, many book covers are designed purely for their aesthetic effect. A good designer will know exactly what type of mood to set for a cover and will use colors that correspond with that mood. Mood is another factor that is used to make sure your book looks good and sells well.
Book covers add to the marketing and selling potential of a book. Good designers can take any book and create a stunning cover that will help it sell. For less than one hundred dollars, you can design and produce a custom cover for your book. With just a little creativity, you can design a book cover that will grab the attention of your readers and drive home your message. Whether used as bookmarks or as physical book covers, your book will be a talking piece when it’s given as a gift.