When to Use Soft Cover Book Printing Factory？

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Choosing the best printing format is crucial for presenting your book effectively. When considering printing choices for your latest project, the question may arise: is a paperback a better option than a hardcover?

During your research on paperback printing, you might encounter terms like "softcover" or "soft cover." Confusion often surrounds these terms. Some say they're different, while others argue they are the same.

So, is there truly a difference between paperback and softcovers? Essentially, it boils down to terminology. Let’s delve deeper.

Paperback vs. Softcover: What’s the Difference?

If you Google "softcover vs. paperback," you'll quickly discover that they refer to the same thing.

In the printing realm, both terms describe books with soft covers and bindings. However, the book industry typically uses "trade paperback" or "mass-market paperback book." Within industry contexts, softcovers are always recognized as paperbacks.

From a manufacturing standpoint, softcover and paperback books are known as Perfect Bound Book Printing. Print shops like Printivity.com offer options of standard EVA glue or an upgrade to PUR glue binding.

Trade paperbacks are sold in bookstores, while mass-market paperbacks are available in various outlets like grocery stores, drugstores, or bookstores. Generally, trade paperbacks are larger and feature higher quality paper.

In contrast, mass-market paperbacks typically use lower-grade groundwood paper. These books aren't designed for extended durability, explaining their use in mass-market situations.

Where, then, does the misunderstanding come from? Why do some believe paperback and softcover are not the same?

Soft cover books are made from paper or thin cardboard stock, unlike hardcovers, which are made from more durable cardboard stock.

Examining soft cover book binding reveals that pages are bound within a flexible paper cover. Typically, the book’s cover is thicker than the internal pages to enhance durability. In some cases, the cover and internal pages are of the same thickness, often to save costs.

The differences emerge mainly when considering their definitions as nouns or adjectives. Functionally, they have similar attributes. Key differences lie between trade and mass-market paperbacks (or softcovers).

Having established that there's no substantial difference between the two, we can settle the "softcover vs. paperback" debate.

What is a Mass-Market Paperback?

You might wonder how a mass-market paperback fits into your printing choices.

The term "mass-market" refers to items produced in large quantities. Understandably, mass-market paperbacks are favored by publishers worldwide.

Standard paperbacks are typically five or six inches wide by eight or nine inches high, while mass-market paperbacks measure four inches wide by six or seven inches high. Their smaller size is designed to fit into spinning racks at commercial locations like airports.

They often feature matte or gloss lamination, but some publishers choose the original cover material to reduce costs. Special editions of paperbacks might even include some embossing on the cover.

Mass-market printing prioritizes quantity over beautification. Runs of mass-market paperbacks can easily exceed 200,000 copies.

Smaller publishers and self-published authors, unable to invest in mass-market runs, might prefer digital printing.

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Short-run digital printing offers a cost-effective way to print books without large volume commitments, maintaining the quality and reducing initial investments. Though not as economical per unit as mass-market paperbacks, digital printing offers flexibility and affordability.

Several printers, including Printivity, now cater to shorter print runs. Previously, publishers needed significant minimum orders, but the rise of self-publishing and print-on-demand services has shifted industry standards.

Softcover Book Printing: Pros and Cons

Curious if paperback is the right choice for your newest project?

Here’s a comparison between soft cover and hard cover printing options, focusing on their primary advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

Softcover textbooks and novels remain a popular choice for several reasons. Primarily, they are affordable without compromising the reading experience quality.

Key benefits of softcovers include:

• Easy to Carry – Lightweight and portable, softcovers can easily fit into a coat pocket or handbag, unlike hardcovers.
• Cost-Effective – Softcovers are popular due to their affordability in printing and binding, making them appealing for extensive print runs.
• Flexible – Softcovers can be printed in various formats, including large-print editions for better accessibility.
• Easy Distribution – Paperback books are widely accepted globally, available in many retail environments. This broad acceptability is not as common for hardcovers.
• Affordable to Mail – Their lighter weight and smaller size make softcovers more cost-effective to ship, even through regular local mail.

Cons

Despite their popularity, paperbacks have some drawbacks. Considering these cons will help you determine if paperbacks are the right printing solution for your book.

Disadvantages to consider:

• Damage – Softcovers use paper or thin cardboard, making them less durable and more prone to damage. However, adding matte or gloss lamination can extend their lifespan.
• Lower Profit Margins – While cheaper to produce, high competition for paperbacks can reduce profit margins.
• Presentation – Hardcovers, though more expensive, offer superior presentation and durability compared to paperbacks.

Let Printivity Meet Your Book Printing Needs

Deciding the best publishing option can be challenging. If you're unsure, let Printivity assist you.

We offer custom book printing with various binding and paper types. Explore our examples and templates to envision your finished book.

If you need assistance crafting your book, contact Printivity for help with perfect bound book printing.

Start designing your next book by contacting Printivity today.

What Are Softcover Books?

A softcover book features pages bound in a flexible paper cover, unlike hardcovers which use thick, rigid paperboard. Examples include paperback novels and corporate reports.

Also known as softbound, softback, or paperback, the cover paper of softcovers may be thicker than the internal pages for extra durability or same thickness for cost savings.

What Are The Best Softcover Book Binding Styles?

Most commonly, softcover books are perfect bound. Other binding styles include saddle stitching and spiral coil binding.

The low cost, fast turnaround, and wide availability of softcovers make them more popular than hardcovers for most printed books.

Where Do I Print Softcover Books?

For softcover book printing—be it perfect bound, saddle-stitched, or spiral coil bound—contact us at Formax by calling 866-367-6221 or submitting a quote request form. We specialize in soft cover book printing!

Take care! Rick

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