Glossary

Kivar
Kivar is a material used in book binding. It is glued to the boards of a hardcover book. It has the appearance of leather, but is made of paper. It can be stamped in foils. Budget Note: Kivar is the least expensive "cloth like" covering you can have on a hardcover book.

Lamination
There are basically four different types of laminating used on covers, casewraps or jackets. Varnish or aqueous is the least expensive and also the least durable. This coating is not recommended for any book cover. UV coating is OK for long runs (25,000 and up). In long runs it is an economical alternative to film lamination. However it is not nearly as durable. Film lamination comes in either gloss or matte. This is absolutely the best for book covers, casewraps and jackets. If any printer is substituting UV for film, be careful.

Layflat lamination
This is a special film lamination that is supposed to "lay flat" under all weather conditions. What this does is minimize the possible "curl" on your cover. It is recommended for all book covers. Note: make sure that any printer's confirmation specifies "layflat lamination". It is not 100% but it is pretty close. Non layflat will curl the covers (under the right weather conditions) right back to the spine of the book.

Offset
In printing the process of using an intermediate cylinder called a "blanket" to transfer an image from the image carrier (the plate) to the paper. A web press uses rolls of paper and prints both sides and folds it all in one operation. A sheetfed press uses sheets of paper and typically only prints one side at a time. Offset also refers to a commodoity uncoated paper, ie 50# offset.

On demand printing
Perhaps the most misused term in today's print market. Printing has always been "on demand". You "demand" and the printer "delivers it" (when he is finished). "Print on demand" is not the customer pushing a button on one end and a book coming out the other end. Printers still have to schedule work to print and bind no matter what the equipment. A true "on demand" printer is one that has nothing in his shop and has people waiting for your call. Problem with this is that the printer is headed for bankruptcy if his shop is really that slow. On a good note, technology has decreased the time needed to manufacture a book. Much of the labor intensive pre-press has been automated to the point that it is quicker to go from your file to the printing press.