Why is a “Self Cover” Booklet more Economical?
What is a Self Cover Booklet?
The majority of books and booklets are produced using a different
paper stock for the cover than what is used for the interior pages. For
example, it is very common to use a heavier weight of paper for the cover and a
lighter weight of paper for the pages. It is also common for a booklet's cover to
be made from a coated paper stock while the inside pages are uncoated. In both
of these examples, the paper stock for the cover is a different type of paper
than what is used for the interior pages.
However, a Self-Cover Booklet uses the same type of paper
for the outside cover as it does for the interior pages. The entire booklet, cover
and pages, is printed on the exact same type and weight of paper. The ink
colors could be different between the cover and pages but as long as the paper used
throughout the entire booklet is the exact same type and basis weight, it is known
as a Self-Cover booklet.
By the way, any softcover book could technically be produced
as a self cover book. But 99% of the time, the self cover option is used in
conjunction with the saddle-stitch binding method.
Why is a Self Cover Booklet more economical?
You might surmise that a heavier weight of paper costs more
than its lighter counterpart, and thus foregoing the heavier cover will result in some cost savings. Although this is true, any
savings due to paper differences are usually minimal. The real savings of a
self-cover booklet arise from the efficiencies gained during the printing and assembly
phases of production.
Because a self cover book uses the exact same paper
throughout, the entire book can be printed, folded, and assembled as a single production
run. Conversely, a book that requires the cover to be printed on a different
stock than the pages would need two separate production runs - one for the
pages and one for the cover. Each would have to be run through the printing
press separately, then the pages and cover would have to be matched up and
collated together prior to binding. This adds additional time and labor cost to
the project.
Another production step that can often be eliminated when
producing self-cover books is the scoring of the cover. Heavier cover stocks
often need to be scored along the fold line prior to saddle-stitching so they fold
smoothly. By using a thinner text weight for the cover, this step can often be
eliminated.
Additionally, paper weight is a big consideration for
printed items that are sent through the mail. This is why almost all
saddle-stitched mailers and newsletters are created as self-cover booklets.
Foregoing a heavier cover and using a lighter weight of paper for the entire document
will often keep the piece from entering into a higher postage bracket.
What type of Booklet Projects use the Self Cover option?
Saddle-stitched instruction booklets, such as those included
with a manufactured product to explain assembly, proper use, and maintenance
are often made as self cover booklets using a basic paper stock. Most
product instruction booklets will only be referred to a few times, so there is
no real need for a durable cover.
Also, multi-page brochures are almost always made with the
self-cover option and use the same gloss paper stock throughout. In fact, brochures
for high-end products will often use a heavier cover weight for the entire
document to add a prestigious look and feel.
Saddle-stitched magazines and comic books are sometimes made
as self cover booklets, as are some product catalogs. Multi-page newsletters
and bulletins sent through the mail are often made as self cover booklets to
reduce the overall weight of the document, thus saving on postage.
Color Vision can produce just about any type of book or
booklet you may need, self-cover or otherwise. If you have an upcoming project,
get in touch with us at 800-543-6299 or submit our quote request form. We offer
all softcover binding methods as well as a variety of finishing options. We
look forward to assisting with your next print project!
Related Articles
Saddle-Stitched Booklets: Page Count must be a Multiple of 4
Read This Article
EVA vs PUR: Which Glue is Better for Perfect Bound Books?
Read This Article
10 Frequently Asked Questions about Flip Book Printing
Read This Article
Self-Published Books: What is an ISBN number? Do I need one?
Read This Article
What is Comb Binding?
Read This Article
Pocket Size Book Printing: 9 Ways to Improve your Small Book
Read This Article
Soft Cover Children’s Books: 5 Options to Enhance Durability
Read This Article
What is the Difference Between Wire-O and Spiral Binding?
Read This Article
5 Frequently Asked Questions about Graphic Novels
Read This Article
Custom Booklet Printing: What are Common Booklet Sizes?
Read This Article
Custom Book Printing: Can I Print a Book without Publishing?
Read This Article
Short Run Book Printing: The Gateway to Self-Publishing
Read This Article
The Cost of Book Printing: Which Factors affect it the Most?
Read This Article
Tips for Printing Outdoor Field Guides and Field Manuals
Read This Article
What is the Gutter of a Book?
Read This Article
Student Workbook Printing: Choosing the Best Binding Style
Read This Article
Self-Publishing a Book: How to Choose a Printing Company
Read This Article
Perfect Bound Book Printing: 7 Reasons to Bind with PUR Glue
Read This Article
Comic Book Binding: Exploring the Two Most Popular Methods
Read This Article
Avoid Costly Mistakes: Follow These 10 Tips for Proofreading
Read This Article
Choosing a Book Orientation: Portrait vs Landscape vs Square
Read This Article
The Practical Advantages of Spiral Bound Book Printing
Read This Article
Consider this clever alternative to traditional Index Tabs
Read This Article
Custom Book Printing: What is Wire-O Binding?
Read This Article
Booklet Printing: 7 Fast Facts about Saddle Stitch Booklets
Read This Article
Book Printing: Comb Binding vs Spiral Binding
Read This Article
10 Ways to Reduce Printing Costs for Instruction Booklets
Read This Article
Book Printing: How the Margins of a Book enhance Readability
Read This Article
Perfect Bound Book Printing: Tips for getting the Best Value
Read This Article
The Most Popular “Punch and Bind” Methods for Creating Books
Read This Article
Custom Book Printing: What is PUR Binding?
Read This Article
10 Frequently Asked Questions about Comb Binding
Read This Article
What is Saddle Stitch Binding?
Read This Article
Custom Book Printing: What is Perfect Binding?
Read This Article
Requesting a Book Quote: What info will your Printer need?
Read This Article
Book Printing: What are Crossover Images?
Read This Article
What is the Spine of a Book?
Read This Article
What is a Self Cover Booklet?
Read This Article
10 Frequently Asked Questions about Spiral Binding
Read This Article
The 5 Most Affordable Types of Book Binding
Read This Article
10 Frequently Asked Questions about Saddle Stitching
Read This Article
Book Printing: Helpful Advice for Page Numbering
Read This Article
10 Frequently Asked Questions about Perfect Binding
Read This Article
Saddle Stitch Binding: What is Creep?
Read This Article
10 Frequently Asked Questions about Wire-O Binding
Read This Article
Printing Terminology: Recto and Verso
Read This Article
Book Printing: How to Provide an Accurate Page Count
Read This Article
Book Printing: Perfect Binding vs Saddle Stitch
Read This Article
Book Printing: 9 Advantages of Perfect Binding
Read This Article
Comic Book Printing: Is there a Standard Comic Book Size?
Read This Article
Why is a “Self Cover” Booklet more Economical?
Read This Article
Plastic Comb Books: What does the "Comb" refer to?
Read This Article
The Benefits of PUR Binding
Read This Article
What is the Best Page Count for Saddle Stitch Binding?
Read This Article