French Flaps

In bookbinding and publishing, french flaps refer to an extended flap on a softcover book. This design feature involves the front and back covers being made longer than the book’s size. These extended parts are then folded inward, resembling the flaps of a dust jacket that you would typically find on hardcover books.

French flaps add a touch of elegance and durability to a paperback book. They can be used for aesthetic purposes, to add a sense of higher quality. They can also be used for practical reasons, such as providing extra space for additional information about the book or author, similar to what you can find on the inside flaps of a dust jacket.

This style is mostly used with paperback binding, particularly in literary fiction, poetry, and other genres where a more sophisticated presentation is desired. If you are a publisher, French flaps are a great way to differentiate a book in a crowded market and to appeal to readers who appreciate a more tactile, visually appealing book design. It can also be used for special edition books, as well as art and photography books.

Get the best binding for your print project with personalized french flaps!

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

Extended Covers: In the French flaps design, the covers of the book (both front and back) are extended beyond the typical width of the book. This means that when the book is closed, these extended parts fold inward towards the book's pages.
Folding: The extended parts of the cover are precisely folded at a point that aligns with where the book's text block (the block of printed pages) begins. This creates the flap.
Design and Printing: The flaps can be used for additional design elements, such as author information, book summaries, reviews, or other relevant content. This information is usually printed on the flaps, making effective use of the extra space.