In the world of book printing, the term “Signatures” refers to large sheets of paper that contain multiple pages of a book. These sheets are printed on both sides and then folded, creating the individual pages of the book.
The Role of Signatures in Printing
Signatures are particularly associated with long-run book orders printed on offset presses. They serve several important purposes, including speeding up the printing process, simplifying the binding operation, and reducing the amount of paper waste.
Understanding Page Counts in Signatures
All Signatures contain page counts in multiples of four. This is because the sheets are typically folded in half twice, creating four pages per side. Common examples of Signature page counts include 64-page, 32-page, 24-page, 16-page, 12-page, 8-page, and 4-page Signatures. The exact number of pages in a Signature is determined by the book’s page size as well as the size of the paper utilized by the printing press.
Arrangement of Pages in Signatures
When printed on a Signature sheet, the pages may appear out of order and upside down. However, the pages have been carefully arranged so that they will appear in the correct order and orientation once the sheets are printed, folded, bound, and trimmed.
Submission of Files for Printing
Most printers prefer to lay out the Signatures for a book project themselves. Therefore, it is recommended that customers submit their files as individual pages, one after the other, in the exact order they will appear in the finished book. This allows the printer to have more flexibility in arranging the pages into the Signature layout that will provide the most optimal production run.
Considerations for File Submission
For example, if a book is 64 pages in length, it is best to create one file containing all 64 pages instead of submitting 64 separate files. Additionally, even if some pages are completely blank, it is important that they appear in the file to ensure all pages are placed in the proper order. PDF files are preferred.
Benefits of Individual Page Submission
Submitting files as individual pages gives the printer more flexibility, making it easier for them to arrange the book’s pages into the Signature layout. This arrangement, known as Imposition, is one of the steps the printer will perform during the pre-press phase of production.
Matching Page Counts to Printer's Signature
To produce books efficiently, many high-volume book printers have set page counts and page sizes for their Signatures. If an author is able to tweak the page count (or page size) of their book to match up with a Signature offered by their printer, it can result in a more cost-effective production run.
Example of Page Count Matching
For instance, if a printer produces a book using 16-page Signatures and the book is currently 82 pages, eliminating two pages would enable the page count to be an exact multiple of the print Signature (80 pages in the book = 5 Signatures x 16 pages per Signature).
Benefits of Page Count Matching
Matching the book’s page count to the printer’s Signature allows for the most efficient use of paper, printing plates, and production time. This often translates into a lower price for the book.
Consultation with Printer
It is advisable to consult with the printer early in the creation process to discuss plans and specifications. A few minutes spent with the printer at the beginning could translate to cost savings at the end.
If you have any questions about printing, feel free to reach out to us at 718-928-6888 or submit our quote request form. We’re here to assist you in any way we can.
Take care!
Jeff @ New York Printing Center
