A case laminate hardcover, often called a printed case or casewrap, is a type of book binding where the cover artwork is permanently adhered to the rigid board that forms the book’s exterior. This construction eliminates the need for a separate, removable paper dust jacket, as the design is printed directly onto the cover material itself. The entire printed surface is then sealed with a thin, clear plastic film, which provides both protection and a finished aesthetic. This method results in a durable, all-in-one hardcover.
The Structure of a Case Laminate Cover
The final case laminate cover is composed of three distinct layers that work together to create a sturdy and visually appealing shell for the book block. The foundation is the rigid core, typically made from thick binder’s board or greyboard, which is a dense, heavy-duty cardboard. This core is cut into three precise pieces: the front cover, the back cover, and the spine, which are held together by the material wrapped around them.
The second component is the printed wrap, which is a single sheet of paper containing the complete cover design, including the front, spine, and back artwork. This sheet is printed in full color and is significantly larger than the board pieces it will cover, allowing for the edges to be folded over and glued to the inside of the boards. The third layer is the laminate film, a clear plastic coating applied over the printed wrap before it is attached to the board. This film can be matte, gloss, or soft-touch, and it serves to protect the underlying ink from abrasion, moisture, and fading.
The Manufacturing Process
The creation of a case laminate cover begins with the preparation of the printed wrap, where the cover art is printed onto a large sheet of paper. Following printing, the protective laminate film is applied to this sheet using heat and pressure, a process that permanently bonds the plastic layer to the paper. This lamination step is performed before the case is assembled, ensuring the entire printed surface is sealed against wear.
The next stage is case making, which is a highly automated process requiring precision machinery. The laminated sheet is laid flat, and the three pieces of binder’s board—front, back, and spine—are precisely positioned onto the sheet, separated by a small, calculated gap. This gap, known as the hinge area, is necessary to allow the cover to open and close smoothly without tearing the paper wrap. Adhesive is then applied, and the excess paper around the edges of the sheet is folded over the boards and glued down to the inside, creating the “turn-in” that secures the boards within the wrap.
The final step is casing-in, where the completed, rigid case is attached to the book block. This is accomplished by gluing the endpapers to the inside surfaces of the front and back covers. This mechanical bond secures the pages to the case, completing the book’s structure.
Key Advantages and Applications
Case laminate construction offers enhanced durability compared to traditional cloth-bound books with separate dust jackets. The permanently bonded laminate film resists scuffs, fingerprints, and minor liquid spills, making the cover easy to wipe clean. This integrated design means there is no dust jacket to become lost or torn, maintaining a consistent aesthetic over the book’s lifespan.
From a production standpoint, this method is often more cost-effective than manufacturing a cloth cover that requires separate foil stamping or a printed dust jacket. The ability to print full-color artwork directly onto the cover material allows for vibrant, complex designs. Consequently, case laminate hardcovers are widely used for books that require resilience and frequent handling, such as children’s picture books, cookbooks, library editions, and educational textbooks.