Below is an alphabetical list of common terms related to children's book design. Click on a term to skip down!
360° book
Also known as a carousel book, the front and back covers touch to form a circle. Some 360° books have ribbons that tie the front and back together.
Carousel book
Also known as a 360° book, the front and back covers touch to form a circle. Some carousel books have ribbons that tie the front and back together.
Casewrap
Also known as a case cover or hard case, the hard casing of the book made from printed paper wrapped around cardboard. See many examples here.
Concertina
An accordion-pleat, or zig-zag, book without front or back boards. See many examples here.
Debossing
An indented pattern on the surface of a book, like the title or another detail.
Die cutting
Cutting paper, pages, and books into specific shapes. See some examples here.
Dust Jacket
The removable paper cover wrapped around a casewrap. See many examples here.
Embossing
A raised pattern on the surface of a book, like the title or another detail.
Endpapers
Also known as endsheets, the papers at the beginning and end of the book that are glued to the inside covers. See many examples here.
Foil Stamp
A metallic effect added to specific details and/or text.
Gatefold
Two parallel folds that create six panels altogether – three panels on each side of the paper.
Gutter
The space in the middle of a book where two facing pages meet. Take a closer look at books that are designed to emphasize the gutter here.
Leporello
An accordion-pleat, or zig-zag, book with front and back boards so it can still be read like a traditional book. See more here.
Recto
The righthand page of a spread.
Spot gloss
A high gloss UV coating on a selective area. See examples here.
Spread
Two facing pages, side by side.
Trim size
The actual size of a book (height and width). Books come in a wide variety of trim sizes.
Verso
The lefthand page of a spread.
