February 2007:

Cover Protection Choices

Film laminate offers superior protection against transit damage and foreign substances.

A nicely-designed, expertly-printed and bound book needs a little help to arrive in the hands of end users in the same condition in which it left our hands. Fortunately, there are several cover protection options that ensure your books look their best for years to come.

Protection From…

Before you select a form of cover protection, be sure it offers the type of protection your projects need. Some protection choices guard against transit marking and scuffing, while others are suited for environments where grease, water and other elements may come in contact with your books.

Aqueous Coating – This press-applied coating offers economical protection against scuffing, rubbing and marking. It offers a slightly harder finish than varnish, which is also applied on press.

UV Coating – A harder, more durable protection than aqueous, UV coating is available in several finishes that enhance your printed images. Although UV coating can be applied on press (if properly equipped), the resulting finish is thicker and tougher when applied as an offline finishing operation. Keep in mind that due to its thickness, UV coating will need to be scored prior to folding.

Film Lamination – A very durable form of protection, film laminate offers ample protection against all transit marking, grease, water and many other substances. Laminating film is available in several gauges and finishes, and can be applied on one or both sides of the sheet.

Additional Planning Tips

• Test finished products by placing them in a box and simulating transit movement; this can be done most easily with a jogging machine. If scuffing, offsetting or other damage is visible, additional measures such as shrink wrapping or slip sheeting may be required. Let The Riverside Group help you evaluate your needs based on the specifics of your application.

• Avoid inks and coatings that include waxes and silicone, as these substances can prevent coatings from properly adhering the surface of the sheet.

• Digitally-printed projects will require some measure of rub resistance; at The Riverside Group, we strongly recommend film lamination to ensure your finished products reach their destination unscathed.

The Riverside Edge

At The Riverside Group, we pay as much attention to proper protection and packing as we do on the rest of our services. With a complete range of hardcover and softcover adhesive binding and mechanical binding services, as well as die cutting, foil stamping, embossing and much more, we are your single resource for top-quality binding and finishing needs.