End Sheets Aren't Confusing!

End Sheets appear to be a simple component that unite the hard cover book with the book interior. An End Sheet consists of a single sheet of paper with a fold down the middle. Sounds simple right? Only if end sheets were always blank. Applying end sheets to a book becomes complicated when they are printed.

Often book designs include printed End Sheets. I use End Sheets (ES) to add artistic and educational value to some books. In King for a Day  the front ES are used as the dedication page and the back ES are used for drawing lessons. 

Typically the front and back End Sheets (ES) are the same. On occasion the front and back ES are unique. This doesn't always complicate file preparation. The greatest challenge with ES is communication of panel placement in the book. Each printer uses a standardized file naming convention and page set up for ES. Request this information to simplify ES placement. 

In this example I will refer to End Sheet as (ES) plus their number. The standard number of ES for a traditionally printed hardbound book is eight (8) or one signature.

Most End Sheet files are setup in spreads. The file width is twice the with of the trim size of the book. The end sheet at the front of the book printing across the spread is called "ES 1 & ES 8" these are glued to the cover. The front side of the end sheet not glued to the cover is called "ES 2 & ES 7." The next set of End Sheets that face the cover are "ES 3 & ES 6."  The last set of End Sheets that face the title page and last printed body page are "ES 4 & ES 6."

Request a printer's End Sheet template before the Graphic Designer submits production files. This will reduce added costs in file preparation.

Mark Wayne Adams
Publisher of King for a Day