In the hardcover book printing industry. Form the view of binding structure. We often divide the hardcover book into square spine hardcover book and round spine hardcover book. But no matter what structure of the hardcover book. The typography of the book inner structure is the same. The difference is the cover mounting and the inner pages' sewing crafts. And the paper gram weight of spine is difference.

What’s square spine in hardcover book printing?

Square spine is a shape of a hardcover book. Using the connection between the thickness of the medium-diameter cardboard and the thickness of the cover cardboard. A square processing method is made at the spine without the spine being protruded.

What’s round spine in hardcover book printing?

Round spine hardcover book, also know as round back hardcover book. Due to the slightly different positions of the front and rear signatures. The folds of the signatures are slightly semi-circular. To make the book distribute on an arc surface, and their thickness is balanced. The opening of the book block is adapted to the convex shape of the spine and is concave. About the round spine book, we can divide it into round back without spine and round back with spine.

What’s the difference between square spine and round spine?

1. The standard of paperboard gram weight is difference.

The paperboard of round spine hardcover book is thin. Round spine hardcover book often uses 800-1200g paperboard. The book spine place of square spine hardcover book, often with the same gram weight paper as hardcover book’s cover.

2. The printing cost is difference

When you custom hardcover book. Compare to square spine hardcover book printing, the cost of round spine hardcover book printing is more higher. This is because the binding processes of round spine hardcover book is more complex. If use the same material to print square spine hardcover book and round spine hardcover book. The cost of a round spine hardcover book will be higher than a square spine hardcover book. If the quantity is less than 500pcs, the cost will be more high. But the round spine hardcover books are more attractive. It is more suitable for printing the high-end book or more pages of the book. Such as coffee table book printing, dictionary book printing, photo book printing, etc.

3. The inner pages standard is different

When printing the inner page of round spine hardcover book. Its printing way is the same as other types of hardcover book. Their inner structure is all divided into cover, end paper, inner paper, tail band, ribbon, etc. But compared to the square spine hardcover book, the number of inner pages is more. Custom round spine hardcover book printing, its thickness often need to be over 20mm. If the inner pages of round spine hardcover book are not enough. We can use the thicker paper to increase hardcover book’s thickness. Except for using some thicker paper. We can use thick type paper to increase the hardcover book’s thickness. If use the light paper, its paper density is lower than ordinary paper. The same gram weight of light paper is thick about 30% than other type of hardcover book inner paper. So use the light paper to print round spine hardcover book, the book is more thick and lightweight.

For square spine hardcover book printing. Its thickness is thicker than the book block. Due to the folding of the book block and the lines, the height of the spine is higher than the book block. And the more printed sheets, the more obvious it is. Thus, hardcover books with square spines should not be too thick. And are generally suitable for spines within 20mm. If too thick, it can’t open flat.

Square spine and round spine: how to choose?

If your book is too thin, we often suggest square spine hardcover book, like hardcover children’s book printing. Because for the thin book, if with a round spine, the cost will be high and will be easy to squish the book spine. But if your book thickness is more than 20mm or with too much pages, we often suggest round spine hardcover book. Because round spine hardcover book more high-end and durable. More important, even if too much book pages, it also can open flat. But the spine choice is depend on your book types, paper choice, budget, etc.

China Printing 4U is a leading printing factory in China. We offers various of supreme hardcover book printing services at economy prices. If you need to custom quality hardcover book. Please contact [email protected] to get instant quote.