We recommend that you consult with us on the preparatory phase of your work, to prevent unforeseen problems and avoid unnecessary additional costs that can arise. To help make sure we have a trouble-free process, we have compiled a list of guidelines:

  1. Works orders / Purchase orders
    Detailed orders should be provided in writing before or with your job stating all job requirements clearly.
    Orders should include:Order number
    Customer contact
    Job quantity + number of overs if required
    Finished size
    Quantity of sections and covers supplied
    Breakdown of any text and / or cover changes
    Whether the finished books are to be boxed or bulk packed
    Packing list
    Delivery address(es)
    Completion date
  2. Dummy sets
    The printer should provide a dummy / collated set of all the sheets in a job.
  3. Presentation of job
    Presentation of flat sheets:Should be presented with their grip and lay edges clearly marked.
    Clearly identify printed sheets on pallets using pallet cards, especially important where there are different versions of text and covers.Presentation of pre-folded sections:Supply on SRA2 pallets
    No elastic bands
    All sections to be neat and flat
    Stack with the highest page number on top
    Do not turn any sections
    Fold sections with a strong spine perforation – 50% paper to 50% slit ratio
    When more than 1 section are stacked on the same pallet please stack consecutively & side by sidePresentation of Pre-collated Digitally Printed book blocks:The best way to supply your digitally printed work to enable us to PUR bind it, is pre-collated directly from your digital press, by creating a text book block, this eliminates the need and cost for folding. Please insert a coloured sheet between each collated set, so we can easily separate the book blocks prior to hand feeding them onto the binding machine, via the hand feed station. Book covers should be supplied separate from the text, avoiding any print on the inside cover spine and hinge area where the glue will be applied to attach the cover to the text block creating the pre-trimmed book. The final trim to finished book size is carried out by our inline trimmer.Further laydowns are available on request.
  4. File Copies
    These should be clearly marked up and kept separate.
  5. Suitability of materials
    You should establish with us the suitability of the proposed materials and their compatibility with perfect and PUR binding adhesives to ensure a satisfactory product for your end user.
  6. Paper and board grain direction
    As a rule of thumb the grain direction of all text stock and covers should run parallel to the bound books spine.
    Grain direction must be parallel to the spine for maximum binding strength.
  7. Areas where ink should not be used
    Ink should not be printed where adhesive will be applied. This means that throughout the book and inside cover all ink should stop 5mm from the spine, before the spine preparation is done. If adhesive has to stick to the surface of the ink this will stop the adhesive penetrating the paper fibre and result in poor bonding. Ink should always be dry on the paper before sending to the finisher.
  8. Varnishing/Spot UV
    The inside of the cover should not be varnished, laminated or have solids printed close to the spine. If it has to be then it should stop 5mm before the spine area. Varnished/laminated covers must be suitably processed so as not to mark in production or transit. The same applies to spot UV. It should not be applied anywhere that the spine and side glue comes into contact with. The front and back pages of the book must not be spot UV coated in the hinge area or the glue will not stick properly
  9. Digital Work
    We will routinely use PUR adhesive for all digitally produced work due to the chemistry of the ink / toner not being compatible with traditional hot melt adhesive.
  10. Spine Preparation
    To prepare a book block for adhesive we saw off the folds, then notch and roughen the exposed pages. We require 3-5mm for this depending on the thickness of the section. (this should be agreed with us in advance). Please allow for this on impositions.
  11. Folding impositions 
    All impositions, trim and gutter requirements will be agreed with you before you go to print.
  12. Folding patterns
    These should be provided when the text has no folio numbers.
  13. Page numbering
    Even if page numbers do not appear on the finished product, they should be included in the print run and placed in the trim off area.
  14. Folding marks
    For quality control purposes these should be visible on the outside of the section after the sheet has been folded. At the assembly stage they should be placed well outside the printed area.
  15. Collating marks 
    Staggered spine collation marks should be printed onto the spine during the print run to assist us with the correct gathering sequence.
  16. Cutting marks
    Cutting Marks should be provided for both untrimmed size (e.g. for separating products printed two up) and for final trimmed size. At the assembly stage all the cutting marks should be placed well outside the print area
  17. Ruled up sheet
    Please provide a ruled – up sheet of the text and cover
  18. Cover Overlap requirements
    Allow for an overlap to be provided at the head and tail of the covers, over and above the size of the untrimmed text when folded.
  19. Pockets and Flaps on covers
    Please consult us first and agree an imposition before proceeding to print.
  20. Apertures on Covers
    Avoid sharp corners on internal die cuts. Smooth, rounded edges on internal die cuts won’t rip or tear.
  21. Maximum and Minimum Sizes for Binding and Inline Trimming, Maximum Untrimmed Section Size 380 x 305mm portrait. Minimum Untrimmed Section Size 160 x 110mm portrait

    This size is the minimum working section size, not the minimum size of book, which we can produce through the Acoro Binder. For example if you required a book size of 140 x 80mm you would still need to base your estimate on using enough paper for an A6 book, then we just trim off the excess waste to finished size.
  22. Maximum and Minimum Trims
    Our Maximum trim on head, foot, and fore edge is 40mm. Anything in excess of this must be slit off on the folder or pre trimmed on the guillotine.Our Minimum trim is 3mm.
Where do I place a Four Page Section?

A four page section should not be the first or last section it is better placed between larger folded sections.

How much head trim do we require?

Usually 5mm; more on thicker books.

How much margin do you require for the intermediate cuts on my two up job?

You should always discuss this with us before printing and ask us to check your imposition before going to plate.

What is the minimum stock for a book produced as single leaves?

130gsm if we are collating it. There is no minimum if supplied collated to us in book blocks.

My book needs to be trimmed to bleed.

Please provide at least 3mm trim off on any book that is to be trimmed to bleed

Can I produce a book on matt-coated paper?

Finishing processes can leave abrasive marks on this kind of paper. To reduce the risk, the paper should be matt varnished or sealed. Keeping the coatings away from the areas of the spine and side glue.

Why is grain direction important?

Books open more naturally with correct grain direction, giving less strain on the spine. This also maximises the adhesion of pages.

What is the thickest / thinnest book we can produce?

We can bind books from 3mm to 30mm.

How about 6pp or 8pp covers?

We can produce books with 6pp or 8pp covers, subject to them being supplied to our specification.

Can I seal the text / inside covers?

Yes – but the seal should not be applied to areas of the covers or text that will come into direct contact with the adhesive. If this is not possible please ensure that the sealant is compatible with our adhesive.

What is tack binding?

A method of binding where the pages are held together by a thin application of glue to form a secure book block. The glued spine can then be trimmed off on a guillotine to produce loose leaf sets.