January 2004: Decorating Your Case-Bound Covers

Case binding is a great solution for products that require an attractive presentation and durable construction. Applications range from “coffee table” books to instruction manuals, children’s books, and CD and DVD packaging.

One of the main advantages to case binding is the myriad decoration options available for the covers. Here are some of those possibilities, as well as a few helpful planning tips to keep in mind when designing case-bound products.

How Will The Products Be Used?
The ideal case construction and design is often predicated on the end use of the product. For example, we produce a yearbook that includes spot gloss UV coating performed over a matte film laminate. That combination serves two purposes: it provides the case decoration with proper protection, while giving it the unique look that yearbook applications demand.

Endless Design Possibilities
A virtually limitless range of materials can be used for case decoration. Offset printed paper is a popular choice, as it’s economical and allows for vivid graphics. Book cloth is another popular option, and it’s available in a variety of textures and colors.

On the wilder side, cover materials are available to give cases the look of bonded leather, snakeskin, and many other materials. We can even use real leather or lambskin (we’ve used both!). Additional decorating possibilities include film laminating, foil stamping, debossing, screen printing and UV coating.

Almost all of these design options can be used in combination to give you plenty of creative freedom. For example, foil stamping can be performed on all case-wrapping substrates, including printed and coated papers, book cloth and other materials.

Laminate offset printed cover wraps - While offset-printed paper makes a great case decoration, it lacks the durability to withstand heavy usage. We suggest laminating the paper on one side before applying it to give it appropriate durability, especially at the corners and edges.

THE RIVERSIDE EDGE
With so many options available for case bound books, it’s important to have a post press services company that can handle all of them - and steer you toward the best solution for your needs. The Riverside Group’s “under one roof” capabilities include everything you need for a complete case binding production solution: perfect and mechanical binding, Smyth sewing, foil stamping, embossing, UV coating, film laminating, die cutting and more.