Attaching a Ribbon Bookmark to a Book Spine

This short factory video shows a ribbon bookmark being attached to the glued spine before the next spine reinforcement step.

What this video shows

The roller applies glue along the book spine as the book block passes through the machine. On the left side, a suction tube lifts and holds the end of the ribbon bookmark so it does not fall out of position before the book reaches the attachment point.

As the book moves forward, the ribbon end flaps back onto the glued spine. In the next production step, mull cloth is applied over the spine, which helps press the ribbon into place and lock it into the book’s spine structure.

What is that squeaky sound in the video?

That sound comes from the suction tube holding and releasing the ribbon. It is normal for this step, and it sounds pretty funny when you stand next to the production line.

How is the ribbon inserted into the book in the first place?

Book production has many small handling steps that still require human labor, and ribbon bookmark placement is one of them. A worker opens each book and inserts the ribbon into the pages one by one before the book continues through the next production stage.

How does the suction know exactly when to release?

The machine is set up so the suction lets go when the book reaches the right spot. That way, the loose end of the ribbon falls onto the glued spine at the correct time.

This setup is one reason ribbon bookmarks can have a separate setup cost. Even though the step is fast, the machine still has to be adjusted for the book size and ribbon position. If the timing is wrong, the ribbon may land crooked or miss the glue. Glue alone is not the full hold; the next spine reinforcement step helps secure the ribbon into the book structure.

Is a ribbon bookmark only for hardcover books?

Ribbon bookmarks are most common on hardcover books because the ribbon can be built into the spine during binding. Some printers may be able to add ribbons to sewn softcover books too, but it depends on their equipment and setup.

Book production is very step-by-step, so anything outside the normal setup usually takes extra setup time and adds cost. For our production, we only offer ribbon bookmarks on hardcover books.