Standard hard cover binding is typically the least expensive of the hard cover binding options, and works well for books with smaller page counts (as low as 24 pages, up to 220 pages). The signatures of the yearbook are gathered together into a book block and then bound into a hard case. This type of binding is also known as library binding because it is very durable.
Smyth sewn hard cover binding has the added strength of overlapped stitches, and can be used on books that have 64 or more pages. The advantage of this binding style is that the book will more easily lie flat when open. Typically, you’ll see this binding style in reference books such as medical books, law books, etc.
FULL-COLOR COVERS
The full-color printed cover is the easiest and most popular cover and is
available in both soft and hard covers. It is very popular because of the stunning design techniques and number of colors you can use to immediately capture the reader’s attention. You can choose one of our professionally designed stock covers, or you can create your own custom cover design! A durable coating is applied to all full-color yearbook covers to ensure the colors remain vibrant and the books withstand the test of time.
PAPER WEIGHT
Yearbooks are traditionally printed on a coated glossy paper with a standard
80-pound paper weight for excellent opacity and durability. Of course, you
can always request 100-pound paper for a more distinctive, durable feel.
Hard Cover Board Weight
Binder’s board is the most common material used to make book covers. The
heavier the board weight, the stiffer the cover will be when trying to bend it.
Our standard cover weight is 90 pt. Heavier, 120 pt. and 160 pt. board
weights are also available upon request.
EMBOSSING AND DEBOSSING
Embossing is a technique which creates a raised, or 3D, image on a piece of
paper. It is typically accomplished with a combination of heat and pressure on
the paper. Embossing can also be used with foil stamping or on a full-color cover
to create an even more unique look. Debossing uses the same technique as
embossing, except the impression is heat-pressed into the surface of the paper
so that an image is depressed (lowered) instead of raised. As with embossing,
debossing can be used with foil stamping or on a full-color cover to create special visual effects and textures.
FOIL STAMPING
Foil stamping involves the use of heat to transfer metallic foil to a solid surface
such as a yearbook cover. As with embossing and debossing, a die is needed to
“stamp” the foil into the cover material. Foil stamping can be combined with
embossing or debossing to create a very striking 3D image. While gold and
silver metallic foil never go out of style, the additional colors shown are gaining
popularity as well—choose colors that give your book a one-of-a-kind look!
LEATHERETTE COVERS
Leatherette covers are made of synthetic materials that are made to look like leather but are much more durable. Typically, leatherette yearbooks use foil stamping, embossing and/or debossing to accentuate the school name and cover design. Choose from this generous selection of leatherette colors (at left) to make a great first impression of your yearbook!
ENDSHEETS
Endsheets are the thick paper attached to both the inside front and back covers of a hard cover yearbook and the flyleaf (first and last sheets in a book before and after the book content). The quality of the paper is usually different than what is used in the rest of your yearbook. Listed at right are colors available to you. If you’re looking for a color not found here or would like to get pricing on the cost of printing your own custom design on an endsheet, just ask!
HEAD AND FOOT BANDS
Head and foot bands are included on smyth sewn books and can be requested on standard hard cover books. These small ornamental bands, generally made of silk or cotton, are attached to the top and bottom of a hard cover book block. They serve as a decorative way to hide the binding application or stitching on the spine of a yearbook. They come in a variety of solid and “striped” colors listed in your price guide.
EMBOSSING AND DEBOSSING
Embossing is a technique which creates a raised, or 3D, image on a piece of paper. It is typically accomplished with a combination of heat and pressure on the paper. Embossing can also be used with foil stamping or on a full-color cover to create an even more unique look. Debossing uses the same technique as embossing, except the impression is heat-pressed into the surface of the paper so that an image is depressed (lowered) instead of raised. As with embossing, debossing can be used with foil stamping or on a full-color cover to create special visual effects and textures.
FOIL STAMPING
Foil stamping involves the use of heat to transfer metallic foil to a solid surface such as a yearbook cover. As with embossing and debossing, a die is needed to “stamp” the foil into the cover material. Foil stamping can be combined with embossing or debossing to create a very striking 3D image. While gold and silver metallic foil never go out of style, the additional colors shown are gaining popularity as well—choose colors that give your book a one-of-a-kind look!
LENTICULAR COVERS
Lenticular printing is used to produce printed images with an illusion of depth, or the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles. You can create various frames of animation for a motion effect, show a set of alternate images or make an image appear 3D for a truly interactive experience!
DIE-CUTTING
A die is a specialized tool that cuts specific shapes into your yearbook cover. Die-cutting allows you to cut out specific areas or shapes on your cover, allowing text or part of an image to show through from the inside.
SPOT UV TREATMENT
Spot UV is a great treatment to use if there are specific areas (or spots) on your cover that you would like to highlight. The application can deepen the color of the area and be very shiny or flattened to a matte finish. It’s a great way to add eye-catching emphasis to important areas.