New styles and textures for your next cover.

Cover concepts:
It may sound obvious, but the cover is the first thing that anyone sees when they pick up your book. As a result, when you design your next book, it's very important to consider the impact that its cover will bring to the overall experience. Your cover should be an introduction to the story that you are going to tell, so, make sure that it is projecting the meaning that you want people to experience.

If your work is light and playful, or dark and heavy, or mysterious and experimental, it is important that your cover attempts to capture this fact. Prime your reader - put him in the right frame of mind to view your work, and he will have a better reaction to the work within.

Softcover Books
When creating a softcover book, make sure to talk to your printer about specifications such as safe area, hinge area, and spine.

The safe area refers to an imaginary box inside the printed cover that prevents important elements from getting trimmed around the edges. Most printers would like at least 1/4 inch separating the safe zone from the trimmed edge. This ensures that important type such as your name and contact information don't get accidentally cropped. Also, you should avoid relying on trimming effects on your images. Don't put important parts of your pictures, such as eyes, or product details near the edge of the page.

The hinge area is an area on most perfect-bound books near the spine. Typically, a scoring machine leaves a notch about 1/4 inch from the spine, giving you a cover that opens more easily and cleanly, and which makes the binding area clean and tight. Ask your printer about their hinge scoring, and make sure to keep type and detail off of the hinge score.

The spine on a softcover book can be a difficult area to work with. Frequently, when books are under 1/4" thick, problems may arise with centering text on the spine. A variation of only 1/32nd of an inch will be apparent on spine text. Consider using a bright color or some other visual indicator to make your spine stand out. Don't put text on your spine unless it has a significant width.

Hardcover Books

To really make the biggest impact, nothing beats a hardcover book. The weight and presence of hardcover book is virtually guaranteed to get a person's attention for several minutes. When you decide to take the plunge and commit yourself to a hardcover book, you are making a decision that is going to get you noticed. But, there are several things you can do to make that impact even stronger.

Foil stamping and debossing can be used to give your cover a classy three-dimensional aspect. Done well, these processes give a feeling of professionalism and seriousness that lets people know that you are a real pro.

Specialty materials can make your piece very memorable. Apart from the basic bindings that are being offered on the market these days, you should also consider colored fabrics, textured materials, and the wide range of leatherettes, animal hides, and futuristic prints. Call or visit Paper Chase to see a range of available cover materials.

Dust Jackets are not only a nice protective touch, but they also add versatility to your work. By simply changing the dust jacket on your book, you can use it as a marketing piece for a completely different type of client. Remember that the cover of your book determines how people are going to look at the pages inside.