Dust Jackets

Also known as a book jacket, dust wrapper, or dust cover, a dust jacket is a detachable outer cover for a book. Typically made of paper or a paper-like material, it usually has printed information about the book and its author, and often includes an attractive design or illustration. Dust jackets are most commonly associated with hardcover books, but can also be used for paperback books.

There are multiple benefits in getting dust jackets for your clients’ publications :

Protection: The primary function of a dust jacket is to protect the book’s hardcover from wear and tear such as scratches, scuffs, and minor impacts. It also helps shield the book from dust, hence the name.
Marketing and Promotion: Dust jackets are valuable marketing tools. They are designed to be eye-catching and often contain essential information about the book, including the title, author, a synopsis, and sometimes reviews or endorsements. This information can be crucial in attracting potential readers and encouraging sales.
Aesthetic Appeal: A well-designed dust jacket can significantly enhance the visual appeal of a book. Publishers often invest in attractive, artistic, or thematic cover designs that can make the book stand out on shelves, appealing to both readers and collectors.
Personalization: Dust jackets can be easily customized or altered, allowing for personalized additions like book signing or special edition markings without altering the actual book cover.

Get the best finishing touch for your print project with personalized dust jackets!

As a trade printing expert, we take each finishing process very seriously, so that your clients’ demands go beyond their expectations. Here’s an general overview of the dust jacket production process:

Choice of material: Dust jackets are usually printed on paper. The type of paper can vary, but it's often a heavier weight than standard printing paper to provide durability. The choice of paper can affect the final look and feel of the dust jacket, with options ranging from glossy to matte finishes.
Printing: Once the design is finalized and the paper selected, the next step is printing. This is typically done using offset printing for larger runs, which is cost-effective and produces high-quality results. For shorter runs, digital printing might be used.
Lamination or Coating: After printing, the dust jacket may be laminated or coated for extra durability and to give it a specific finish (glossy, matte, etc.). This step is important as it helps protect the dust jacket from wear and tear, including resistance to smudging and fading.
Trimming and Folding: After printing and any coating or lamination, the dust jackets are trimmed to the correct size. They are then precisely folded to ensure that they will fit the book correctly. This folding creates the front and back flaps that tuck inside the book's cover.
Quality Check: Quality control is an essential part of the process. Each dust jacket is inspected for printing errors, proper alignment, and quality of the fold.