Based on over 25 years of success in the offset book printing industry, we’ve put together a short guide to the various types and styles of hardcover book bindings to help you choose the best option for your printing and publishing needs
When it comes to printing and publishing a book, choosing the right type of cover is crucial. Hardcover books, also known as hardbacks, are widely regarded as a mark of quality and durability. They offer a more substantial and long-lasting option compared to paperbacks. However, within the realm of hardcover books, there are several types and styles to consider. So, what are the different types of hardcover books? In this easy to understand and helpful guide, we’ll describe the various types of hardcover books, explore their features, examine their pros and cons, and look at how to determine which style is best suited for your book printing an publishing project.
1. Case bound laminated hardcover books
Case bound laminated books are standard hardcovers that do not have dust jackets. Instead, the cover art and text are printed directly onto the cover. The cover paper is glued to the case and the edges folded onto the inside before the page block and the endpapers are glued into place. This type of hardcover is popular, robust, budget-friendly, durable, and fully customizable. However, it may not offer the same level of unique customization as other options.
2. Dust jacketed hardcover books
A dust jacket is a printed protective cover that wraps around a hardcover book. It serves the purpose of keeping the cover fresh and clean, protecting the book from spills, scratches, and grime. Dust jackets are not permanently attached to the book and can easily be removed or attached. They often contain additional promotional information about the book, such as a summary, author bio, and snippets of reviews. However, there’s no artwork or sometimes even text printed onto the casing, which is covered only with plain paper, cloth, or leatherette.
3. Jacketed case laminated hardcover books
The jacketed case laminate style combines the features of a case laminated book with the addition of a dust jacket. This option provides a sense of distinction and is particularly well-suited for literary books, popular science fiction and fantasy sagas, and coffee-table books. Readers often expect this style for literary works by well-known authors, special editions, and collectible items. With jacketed case laminated books, publishers typically choose to print the cover art and text on both the book casing itself and the dust jacket. This style allows for a wide range of customization options and special finishes. However, jackets can be damaged or torn if not handled with care, and this option is more expensive than basic case laminated hardcovers.
4. Cloth covered hardcover books
A cloth or imitation leather cover offers an interesting and attractive alternative for your hardcover book. This style is available for hardcovers with or without dust jackets and is particularly suitable for literary or collector’s edition books, anthologies of short stories, and poetry. Although it may appear relatively nondescript, a cloth cover or an imitation leather cover provides a classic and elegant aesthetic. And using special techniques such as embossing, debossing, and metallic foil stamping can further enhance the book’s visual appeal.
5. Glued-only case binding hardcover books
Glued-only case binding is a common technique used by most printers for hardcover books. In this method, the pages of the book are attached to the spine using a strong but flexible PUR glue. The spine is also part of the front cover, creating a seamless and durable bond. Adhesive case binding allows for extensive customization and offers a cost-effective option for hardcover book printing. However, the stiff spine of adhesive case bound books will prevent them from laying flat and if not treated with care, the pages can come loose after repeated use and handling.
For that reason and because we are committed to delivering only high quality products, at QinPrinting we rarely use this method. We prefer sewn hardcover bindings, which is what we’ll look at next
6. Sewn hardcover books
Sewn binding involves sewing bundles of pages, known as signatures, together before gluing and stitching them into the hard casing. This method creates a durable and flexible binding that is particularly suitable for frequently used books. Sewn books are less stiff compared to other hardcover styles. However, this method can be more expensive because of the additional labor involved in the sewing process. Besides increased durability, the great advantage of sewn hardcover binding is that the book can be opened and laid flat without damaging the spine or risking the pages coming loose.
7. Layflat hardcover books
Layflat books are another alternative to adhesive casebound books, as they lay completely flat when opened. This style is ideal for landscape books that display panoramas or books that require easy flipping through pages, such as art books and fine art photography books. The pages are organized in spreads and glued back to back before the binding is glued and sewn. However, layflat books typically take longer to print and require special equipment, making them more expensive than other hardcover options.
8. Wire-o and spiral bound hardcover books
Wire-o and spiral bound books are a popular choice for binding documents and both are commonly used for directories, cookbooks, instructional manuals, and more. These bindings allow pages to turn easily,even through 360 degrees, and lay flat, making them convenient for practical use. This style accommodates inserts and pages of various thicknesses along with tabs and foldouts. In both cases, the pages are “loose”, collated, punched or drilled with holes down one side before being bound with a wire spiral or a plastic coil. The hardcovers are two separate boards, wrapped in printed cover paper and often laminated or varnished and attached to the book in the same way as the pages.
How to choose the best hardcover type for your book
When deciding on the best hardcover and binding type for your book, consider the following factors:
- Budget: If you have a limited budget, options like case laminated or jacket-less hardcover books may be more suitable for your needs. Also, a simple printed cover would be a good choice without adding features such as embossing or foil stamping, for example. Books with jackets and special finishes are more expensive, but you can still make a very attractive book design without them.
- Visual appeal: Consider how you want your book to look. If you prefer a minimalistic feel or have already commissioned cover art, case laminated or jacketed case laminated may be the best options. If you have the budget for it and you want to create a truly outstanding book with a customized aesthetic, think about a case laminated cover with the addition of a printed dust jacket and embossed titles, foil stamped art, and UV spot coating to highlight specific features; not to mention colored headbands and even a silk marker ribbon.
- Target readership: Think about your target readership and their expectations and needs. If you’re writing literary books, jacketed case laminate or cloth or leatherette covers may align with readers’ expectations. On the other hand, most books for children, for example, won’t need a dust jacket.
- Customization and branding: The more complex bindings allow for a wider range of customization options, like foil stamped laminated covers, spot UV treatment, embossed dust jackets, varnishing, and more. If you’re publishing non-fiction, instructional manuals, or academic books, you’ll need to think about how the hardcover binding you choose will represent your business brand and what degree of customization you’ll need to make a clear and instantly recognizable brand statement.
When it comes to publishing a book, choosing the right hardcover type and binding style is essential. Each option offers its own unique set of advantages and considerations. Whether you opt for a case laminated, dust jacket, jacketed case laminated, cloth, leatherette, glued-only case binding, glued and sewn, layflat, or wire-o or spiral bound hardcover book, understanding these features together with their pros and cons will help you make an informed decision. If you’re ready to dive into a bit more detail—such as pricing, paper and printing options, how to design your covers and tips for preparing your print files, read our key page, Hardcover Book Printing.
Let’s talk!
Designing, printing and publishing, or self-publishing, a high-quality hardcover book, is always a creative project which adds considerable value to your catalog of published work. Get in touch today to chat through your needs or to ask for a no-obligation quote. We can’t wait to help you choose the perfect hardcover style for your genre, budget, and aims and to make your custom hardcover book a stunning ambassador for your author or business brand!
