Hard Cover Books

Hardcover

A hardcover aka hardback is a book bound with thick protective cover, with usually a paper or leather dust jacket over the main cover. The aim of hardcover is protection and durability. These books are mainly for long-term use and collectors’ editions. Hardcover books last far longer than the corresponding paperbacks. They do not get damaged easily thus making them perfect for reference guides, great literary works, etc.

In addition, there is a difference in the type of paper used to print hardcover books. The paper used is long-lasting acid-free type. Acid-free paper has a pH value of 7 (neutral) which makes it highly durable. The papers are stitched or glued to the spine.

Hardbacks are prepared for commercial works, best sellers, reference books, etc., which should be long lasting.

 

Bookprinting.co.nz produce many hardcover books and they are very popular amongst client wishing to produce family history books or reference books where longevity is essential.

 

Considerations when choosing Hard or Soft Covers

 

Hold the books.

Feel sense is a very important part of whether to choose a paperback or a hardback book. For many people, there is an obvious and immediate reaction of texture weight, and strength. Even the odor of the book can captivate or disturb the reader. However, whether your prefer a hardcover or a paperback may vary between books depending on the size and amount of pages, so it isn't always a given that just because you prefer one type of book over another that this will always be the case for all of your books.

 

Some people love hardcovers because they're pretty.

 

Consider the purpose of the book.

Hardcover books are made for durability. As such, they are an excellent choice when it comes to reference texts that you will be using often, such as dictionaries and thesauruses, quote books, professional texts such as case law and medical or veterinary manuals, great literary works, and so forth. In addition, hardcover is best for larger sized books such as atlases, coffee table books (paintings, scenery, photography etc.), and similar large sized books. On the other hand, softcover or paperback books are great when you take them with you on public transportation, when you're travelling, or when you're reading in bed at night because they're not as heavy or cumbersome to carry or hold.

    Do you enjoy reading a heavy or a light book in bed? Everyone has their own preferred method for snuggling up with a book and for some, the hardback versions are just too heavy while for others, they offer the required stability amid the marshmallow crevices of pillows and mattress!

     

 

Consider the price.

Most bookstores, chain or not, sell the paperback for a cheaper price than the hardback. This is because paperbacks are easier to manufacture. Hardbacks have a longer printing and production process that can be quite costly (better quality paper, harder cover, more paper used, etc.)

 

 

Consider the time delay, if any

Hardbacks are usually the first version of the book. A couple of months after the publication of the hardcover, the paperback comes out – possibly with new information, such as an excerpt for the sequel, extended endings, or Q & A's from the author. If you're a book collector or you're collecting books of a particular author or series, the hardback first edition book is usually the preferred edition and is usually the book you'd buy for collection purposes. High value books, such as those from the Harry Potter series, tend to come out in hardback form first because they already have a high known value.

 

 

Take into account the difference in durability.

A hardback would be better in terms of durability. Hardback books tend to have higher quality printing standards. They're usually made with acid-free paper (a pH of 7, neutral), which ensures their durability long-term. The paper is usually stitched or glued to the spine. Paperbacks are made less for durability and more for mass consumption. They have easy portability but also lack the durability of a hardcover and they may also suffer from foxing (yellowing and spotting), marking, lose pages, etc., much sooner than you'd find with a hardback.

    Hardback books are protected by their binding in a way that paperback books are not and may be less prone to tear and wear as a result and are less likely to get dog ears. Although, be aware that libraries will often request that you do not return large hardcover books through the after hours chute, as these books can be easily damaged if they land awkwardly when dropped from a height. And while a paperback can be easily bent out of shape, the flexibility of a paperback can be its saving grace when carrying it about as it can squish into small bags and provided you take care, still come out okay for a good read!

     

Consider the long-term environmental impact.

Like everything else, books wear out eventually and are no longer worth selling or even donating. While many single-stream city recycling programs accept paperback books along with newspapers, cardboard, etc., the glue in the binding of hardcover books makes them ineligible for some city recycling programs. If this is important to you, ask your local recycling service their policy on recycling worn-out books.

 

Note that sometimes there is no choice

Sometimes the book is only ever published in one or other format for reasons of cost, durability, marketing promotion, and so forth. In that case, the choice has been removed from you and you'll just have to go with whatever is provided.

 

Don't be a slave to preferring one type over another.

Finally but importantly, don't lock yourself into only ever choosing one type and not the other. Each book or eBook has its benefits and its disadvantages dependent on all of the factors above and dependent on your intended end use. Give yourself the flexibility to chop and change between formats as needed.

Hold the books.

 

 

 Hold the books.

 

 

 

 

 

Reference books tend to be hardcover because this has more durability with lots of use

 

 

 Reference books tend to be hardcover because

this has more durability with lots of use

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tearing is much easier with a paperback

 

 

 

Tearing is much easier with a paperback

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to be the first to read a popular book, it'll usually be a hardback version

 

 

If you are considering hard or soft covers

be aware that hard covers usually become available first

and so generate better initial sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some coffee table style books may never be suitable for softcover versions

 

 

 

 

Some coffee table style books may never be suitable

for softcover versions

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