What type of edge is right for your book?
~Book Edges Explained~
Stenciled/Painted Edges
Stenciled/Painted Edges can be painted onto the book’s outer edges (top/bottom/fore edge). This option is done at the individual book & artist level, applied after the book is fully manufactured by using different types of paints, with or without stencils. Stenciled/painted edges can be time-intensive and require more shipping than authors want, but for authors who like to DIY or only need a few done, it may be worth trying.
Noteworthy:
🪙Affordable for crafty folks or those who only want a few copies made
⏰🪚Can be time-intensive, messy, and has a learning curve if DIYing
📖 Appears vibrant when the book is closed & dull when the book is open
📕Allows patterns on all 3 exposed edges, though the designs are generally simpler than with other techniques listed here
📜Not offered by mainstream printers
Digitally Sprayed Edges
Digitally Sprayed Edges can be inked onto the book’s outer edges (top/bottom/fore edge). This is an option with some printers at the manufacturing level, though some third-party companies also do this technique post-manufacturing, similar to stenciled/painted edges. More printers are starting to offer this option, though it’s important to note that internal design elements that require bleed (i.e. full-page chapter headers) may show through because the ink used to digitally spray the edge design is more transparent than the other types of edges mentioned here.
(Painted Wings Publishing designs digitally sprayed edges but does not do the physical application. To order digitally sprayed edges from us, go here.)
Noteworthy:
🪙Can be quite spendy depending on the printer/company adding them
⏰🪚It's not too tricky to design the edge images; printers provide measurements/templates (Note: there is bleed space (overspray variance) to watch out for, which prevents a perfectly smooth transition from one edge to another)
📖 Appears vibrant when the book is closed & dull when the book is open
📕Allows equally complex patterns on all 3 exposed edges
📜Offered by a couple of mainstream POD printers but not distributed by any (they won't be sold in online or brick-and-mortar bookstores unless you do your own print runs, warehouse them, and direct sell them as an indie publisher)
Embedded/Printed Edges (aka forced edges)
Embedded/Printed Edges (aka forced edges) are created by embedding an edge design in the outer margins of a book’s manuscript. During the binding and trimming process, the design is revealed. All printers allow this type of file, though some may have design limitations, and none explicitly offer it as an option. Publishers don’t have to request it from the printer or pay more for it at the printer unless they choose a color design which requires color manuscript printing. While the technique has some niche differences that sets it apart from all the other edge options mentioned here, it’s also the most accessible for authors who may not want to order books internationally or at higher manufacturing costs, or those who do not wish to store physical inventory since this is the only option available for print-on-demand distribution.
(Painted Wings Publishing is proudly the first company to develop and offer this technique to the indie publishing community! For more info, go here.)
Noteworthy:
🪙Pricing varies. Our most affordable option is less than $20 for an unlimited number of prints. Custom designs can be a more significant up-front investment, but unlike other edge types, you don't have to pay a per-book application fee. Since this technique is done within the internal manuscript, it requires color manuscript printing if you want a color edge, which can significantly raise the printing cost. The most affordable option (both with us and at the printers) is a black-and-white/grayscale design.
⏰🪚There are multiple ways to accomplish this technique, and we've had multiple competitors pop up, but to do it well and give your book the best possible chance at the printer (and to protect yourself when it comes to misprints and printer variance), it takes investment in time, resources, and experience, things Painted Wings Publishing has covered! As for the design itself (not considering the application process), the vast majority of authors who want to submit their own designs for us to apply misjudge important dimensions and other aesthetic elements. Most authors choose to have us design for them, though we have helpful templates and tips for authors wanting to design their own.
📖 Appears vibrant when the book is open & dull when the book is closed (in contrast to all the other techniques mentioned here)
📕Due to complexities in the book manufacturing process, we don't find complex patterns on top and bottom edges to be very successful with this technique. We recommend solid or ombre top and bottom edges instead. If opting to only print on the long edge, some designs will ink a lip on the top and bottom edges.
📜No mainstream printers explicitly offer this technique, but every single one of them will allow it, because the technique fits within their established guidelines as a byproduct of their normal process. This is the only edge technique available to indie authors in POD sales models with distribution (i.e. via KDP or IngramSpark).
IngramSpark even has Painted Wings Publishing listed on their site as an expert on this technique!
📗Additional options available through this technique that you can't get with the others: internal decorative borders, tabs, & dual edges. This technique can also be combined with the other techniques on this page to create hidden edges!
Gilded Edges
Gilded Edges are created by gluing a thin metallic sheet to the edges of a book. This ancient technique is not offered by many printers but similar to stenciled/painted edges, crafty authors can give it a try with supplies and tutorials that can be found online.
Noteworthy:
⏰🪚A tricky DIY technique, but no design work is necessary if having a printer do it.
📖 Appears vibrant when the book is closed & dull when the book is open
📕Can be done on all 3 exposed edges
📜Not offered by mainstream printers
