Helpful Tips

The Importance of Well-Marked Margins
January 2005

The quality of your work is non-negotiable. So communicating every detail of your project that allows us to achieve that quality should be non-negotiable as well. Including precise specifications in job estimates, even on rush orders, is crucial to delivering high-quality work. Let's take a look at one overlooked communication tool: press sheet and signature margins.

Collating marks on perfect binding signatures, shown here, are one example of written communication between printer and binder that can help speed production and avoid problems.

Not Margin-alized
Few aspects of your book project have more impact on its final look than trim and layout margins. Margins determine the final size of your products, "frames" your copy area and provides room for the binding adhesive or elements. They also double as a communications tool between designer, printer and binder. Here are a few pieces of information worth noting in the margins of press sheets or signatures:

The Three G's:
This refers to the gripper, guide
and grain of a sheet. Allied
Bindery needs to identify the
guide and gripper edges before performing most post press operations. Grain direction should also be clearly indicated, which
will often help determine if scoring is necessary prior to folding.

The Right Mark:
Depending on the operations your project will receive, folding and collating marks are also extremely helpful. Collating marks printed on the spine of each signature provide an additional visual aid to help ensure folded signatures are collated properly.

Golden Rule:
A"rule-up" sheet is also a valuable reference, and should include rules (or lines) to indicate trim margins, perforations, scores, folds, etc.

The Allied Advantage
Good communication is essential to the success of every post press project. Involve Allied Bindery as early as possible in the planning of your project to ensure your finished products exceed your expectations.