A dust jacket is the loose, wrap-around paper cover you find on a hardcover book. It gives a book a polished, publisher-quality look and protects the hard case underneath. But when is it worth it?
What is a dust jacket?
A dust jacket is a loose cover that is folded around the hard case, with flaps on the inside. Those flaps often carry information about the book or the author. The case underneath is usually plain or covered in cloth. You can read the general, book-historical background of this cover form in the explanation of the dust jacket.
Advantages
- A luxurious look: instantly gives a high-quality, bookshop-worthy appearance.
- Protection: absorbs wear; the case underneath stays beautiful.
- Extra space: the flaps offer room for text and images.
- Design freedom: combine a printed jacket with a sleek cloth case.
When do you choose one?
A dust jacket suits premium editions, gift editions, art books, photo books and anniversary books. For practical books that are used a lot, a directly printed hardcover is often more convenient. We are happy to advise you on the finest finish for your book.
Supplying a dust jacket
You supply a dust jacket as one continuous surface: back flap, back cover, spine, front cover and front flap in a row. The measurements have to match the spine width and the flap width exactly, otherwise the jacket does not close neatly around the book.
You calculate the spine width on the basis of your page count and paper type. Use our spine width calculator for that, so the jacket fits exactly.
The flaps: what you use them for
The distinctive part of a dust jacket is the flaps: the folded-over edges that fall inside the case. They give you two extra surfaces that you do not have with an ordinary cover. The front flap is traditionally used for a short, enticing introduction to the story or the subject; the back flap for an author photo with a biography, or for the colophon and the series the book belongs to.
Reckon on roughly 80 to 100 mm of flap width. Narrower looks cramped and slips off more easily; wider gets in the way when the book is opened. Keep your text at least 5 mm away from the fold line, because in production the fold is never accurate to a tenth of a millimetre.
Paper and finishing of a dust jacket
A dust jacket is usually printed on coated paper of 135 to 170 g/m². Lighter paper tears too quickly at the flap fold; heavier paper will not close nicely around the case. Almost always lamination goes over it: matt for an understated, bookshop-like appearance, gloss when the cover photo has to speak.
Because the dust jacket sits loosely around the book, the case underneath can happily be different. Many editions combine a richly printed jacket with a plain cloth or coloured case carrying only the title in foil. That is exactly the effect that makes a book gift-worthy: whoever takes the jacket off finds something beautiful underneath instead of a blank surface.
A dust jacket or printing on the case?
You do not always have to choose a dust jacket. An alternative is printing directly on the hard case, possibly with a luxury finish such as foil or embossing. That looks sleek and modern, and you do not have to worry about a jacket that slides or tears.
The choice depends on the look you are after. A dust jacket gives a classic, publisher-quality look with room for flap texts. Direct printing is more practical and suits a contemporary design. In doubt? Request a sample copy and you will see and feel the difference before you order a run.
Frequently asked questions about a dust jacket
What is the difference between a dust jacket and the case?
The case is the hard cover attached to the book block. The dust jacket is the loose paper cover you slide around it, for protection and decoration.
Can I choose a hardcover without a dust jacket?
Certainly. Many hardcovers are produced without a dust jacket, with the printing directly on the case. A dust jacket is an extra, not an obligation.
What do I use the flaps for?
The flaps are ideal for a summary of the book, a short biography or an author photo.