Book types
The world of book types is more diverse than just the difference between hardcover and paperback. Especially with notebooks there is an extremely great variety. We went to the trouble of cataloguing and illustrating book, calendar, and notebook types that we have produced in recent years in order to give you the largest possible selection with explanations.
HardcoverSoftcoverSketchbookNotepadSwiss BrochureFurther Book Types
Hardcover
Solid, stable book cover. The classic amongst notebooks.
Almost all cover materials can be used as hardcover book covers. The cover material is pressed over the edges of the book cover. The book cover projects only slightly over the book block.
All book formats are technically possible, also special-, diagonal- and over-sized formats.
At brandbook, the book block is always thread bound – the highest quality method of binding a book block. The size can range from very thin all the way to extra thick (approx. 32–512 pages)
A variant of the classic hardcover, but with a thin book cover.
The processing is similar to that of a hardcover but done with a thinner paper at the core of the cover. Almost all cover materials can be used. The cover material is pressed over the edges of the book cover. The book cover projects only slightly over the book block.
All book formats are technically possible, also special-, diagonal- and over-sized formats.
At brandbook, the book block is always thread bound – the highest quality method of binding a book block. The size can range from very thin all the way to extra thick.
Softcover
Flexible book cover material, cut flush with the book block.
For this type of book, we recommend an optimised selection of cover materials. The cover and the book block are cut flush on all three sides.
Ideal for all formats A5+ or smaller. For a flexcover, the nuuna Graphic L or S formats are especially well proportioned (165 × 220 mm / 105 × 180 mm).
At brandbook, the book block is always thread bound – the highest quality method of binding a book block. For a flexible cover, the book block is made of strong 120 g/m² paper for more stability. The size can range from 96 to 256 pages.
Sketchbook
Firm, stable book cover. The book spine is made of linen.
For the book cover of a sketchbook, all cardboards strengths approx. 2mm or more are suitable. The book cover projects only slightly over the book block. The colour of the linen can be chosen from a wide variety of colours available.
All book formats are technically possible, also special-, diagonal- and over-sized formats. For a sketchbook, formats from DIN A5 and up and landscape formats are especially suitable.
At brandbook, the book block is always thread bound – the highest quality method of binding a book block. For a perfect layflat behaviour, the book block and book spine are not glued to each other.
Firm, stable book cover cut flush with the book block. The book spine is made of linen.
For the book cover of a sketchbook, all cardboards strengths approx. 2 mm or more are suitable. The book cover and the book block are cut flush on all three sides. The colour of the linen can be chosen from a wide variety of colours available.
All book formats are technically possible, also special-, diagonal- and over-sized formats. For a sketchbook, formats from DIN A5 and up and landscape formats are especially suitable.
The thread bound book block is glued firmly with the fabric of the book spine so that a pen holder can be attached.
Notepad
Flexible cover, that has folded note pages held together by being sewn to spine. The spine of the book is either sewn the complete length or it is stapled in two places.
For the cover, we recommend fine paper and cardboard up to approx. 350 g/m². The cover and the inside pages are cut flush on all three sides.
All book formats are technically possible, also special-, diagonal- and over-sized formats. Especially nice is a memo book in DIN A6 pocket format.
Important! A stapled or sewn memo book should not have more than 64 pages. This is so that it can’t become undone, and remains optimally flat.
Swiss Brochure
Flexible cover, that is notched and pulled over a thread bound book block.
For the cover, we recommend fine paper and cardboard up to approx. 350 g/m². The cover and the inside pages are cut flush on all three sides.
All book formats are technically possible, also special-, diagonal- and over-sized formats. Tip: With an A5 format, you can’t go wrong.
The thread bound book block is sealed onto the spine with textile tape. The colour can be freely selected.
Further Book Types
Reporter block
A hardcover in which the binding is on the shorter side. Thus allowing the reporter block to conveniently flip open upwards. Also known as journalist block.
Almost all cover materials are suitable. We recommend rounded spine and book edges and an elastic band closing for the reporter block. That way the block appears very authentic.
Useful here is the practical pocket format 95 × 142 mm.
The book block is thread bound. Up to approx. 160 pages, it remains easy to handle.
Half binding
The book cover is lined in two different cover materials. Usually, the spine and the first third of the cover is covered with linen, the rest can be covered in either cardboard or lined with paper, synthetic leather etc.
Almost all cover materials can be used for half cloth-bound book covers. The cover materials are pulled over the edges of the book cover. The book cover projects only slightly over the book block.
All book formats are technically possible, also special-, diagonal- and over-sized formats.
At brandbook, the book block is always thread bound – the highest quality method of binding a book block. The size can range from very thin to extra thick.
Wire-O
(Ring binding/Spiral binding)
Note pages and the book cover are held together using spiral formed metal wire.
There are two possibilities for the cover: (1) A firm book cover lined with a material of your choice or (2) cover sheets of fine paper or cardboard starting at 350 g/m².
All formats are technically possible, most often – due to the familiar College Block – DIN A4 is selected.
The book block consists of loose pages that are punched with a line of holes and then fixed with spiral binding.
Open thread stitching
Did the bookbinder forget something? No. This special effect is the open visible thread stitching.
For the cover, there are two possibilities: (1) A firm book cover out of cardboard or (2) a flexible book cover: here we recommend an optimised selection of materials. The cover and the book block are cut flush on all three sides.
All book formats are technically possible, also special-, diagonal- and over-sized formats.
With open stitching, we recommend at least six sections, that is 96 pages. The colour of the thread can be freely selected. A positive side effect: Due to the open spine binding, the notebook has an absolutely perfect layflat behaviour. For drawings and sketches that run across both pages, optimal!
Back-to-back Book
Double hardcover book cover,
- combines two book blocks
- combines a book block with an accordion pocket
Almost all cover materials can be used for hardcover book covers. And something special: For each side of the back-to-back book different book cover materials can be selected. The book cover projects only slightly over the book block.
All book formats are technically possible. The brandbook A5 format in the thinner version 130 × 207 mm offers optimal proportions.
The size for the book block should not be more than 192 pages to maintain good handling of this back-to-back book. The inner papers and the front and endleaves can be differentiated by the book blocks. The document folder on the other side can have up to five accordion pockets.
2-in-1-Journal / 3-in-1-Journal
The zigzag form of the cover creates two or three separate notebook sections. Each spine is stapled.
For the cover, we recommend fine paper and cardboard up to 350 g/m². The cover and the inside pages are cut flush on all three sides. A practical addition for closing the notebook is a bookbinder clip.
Here only the vertical format makes sense. Optimal handling in the A5 format.
Important! Each notebook section should not exceed 64 pages.
