| Glossary
Polybag
To wrap a book in a transparent plastic bag. It is not tight
fitting (see shrinkwrap) and is used for magazines with multiple
loose pieces or as a less expensive packing for books.
PPI
PPI is a paper term which refers to pages per inch or thickness
of the paper. Book papers are generally made to a specific
PPI. The PPI is important in figuring the bulk of a book (#
of pages divided by PPI = Bulk). Sheets of identical weight
can be made to a different PPI by essentially adding air to
the paper when it is produced. Where much of what a consumer
will pay for a book is based on the perceived value, the bulk
of the paper can play a major role in that value. If a paper
is quoted to you without a PPI, like 50# offset, make sure
you get the PPI before giving the printer the order. It could
vary from 600PPI to 400PPI which on a 256 page book could
be the difference between 5/8" bulk and 7/16" ...
a big difference.
Pre-press
Pre-press refers to all that happens BEFORE you get to the
actual printing. Today that means what kind of software your
files are as most jobs are received as files on disk. Pre-press
requirements are what change the most often between printers.
Make sure that before you print a job, that what you are giving
your printer is what they expect and can use.
Printed casewrap
In a hardcover book, if the casewrap is paper, it is typically
printed, giving you a "printed casewrap". Children's
picture books often have the same casewrap image that is on
the jacket. Therefore, once the jacket is removed, the book
still tells you what it is. Certain Kivar or synthetic products
can also be printed and used as casewraps, these are more
often found in regular trade books.
Process
Process are the inks printers use when printing in more than
1 color. There are 4 process inks: cyan, magenta, yellow and
black (CMYK). Most printed pieces that appear to have many
colors are actually made up of dots of a combination of the
4 process colors. Not all colors "translate" perfectly
into process. Most 4-color digital presses also use CMYK,
there just aren't any dots- these are 4 "toners"
instead of inks.
Round back
A hardcover binding when the spine is "rounded".
The spine has no board and may be easier to open if it is
a very wide spine. Note: Most books with the exception of
hardcover children's picture books and oversized coffee table
books are round backed.
|
