Signature

What does signature mean in book printing?

In book printing, a signature is a group of pages printed together on a large sheet of paper, then folded, trimmed, and bound to use as a section of the book; you can think of it as a booklet within a book. A typical signature might have 8, 16, 32, or 64 pages, depending on the size and layout. Multiple signatures are combined during binding to create the full book, and this method helps printers produce books efficiently, maintain proper page order, and ensure smooth page turns.

Signature FAQ

Q1: Why are signatures used in book printing?
Signatures help to keep the pages in the right order and make it easier to bind books in an accurate and efficient way.

Q2: How many pages are usually in a signature?
Common signature sizes include 8, 16, 32 or 64 pages, depending on the printing press and the book’s final size.

Q3: Can I customize the number of pages in a signature?
It's possible, but most printers prefer standard sizes to reduce waste and keep costs down, which means custom sizes might cost more.