A board is a flat, rigid sheet used for various applications, including writing, printing, packaging, and supporting purposes. When applied to books and publishing specifically, boards most frequently refer to stiff pieces of paper or cardstock used to support the spine of books, the spine being the binding edge where pages attach themselves. Aside from providing support, boards may add weight or rigidity that aids when mailing or stacking books.
Boards are usually composed of paper or cardstock coated with a clay-based material to give it a glossy, smooth surface and increase resistance against moisture or environmental conditions that might compromise book covers or spines. This coating also makes boards more resilient against environmental threats, like moisture damage, that might otherwise destroy them.
Bookbinding utilizes two primary boards for bookbinding: endpapers and pastedowns. Endpapers protect the spine and cover against wear and tear, while pastedowns provide added support to the spines of books.
Boards are essential to bookbinding, crucial in its durability and quality. When selecting boards for your next bookbinding project, ensure they feature strong yet durable material to withstand regular usage without cracking under strain.
Book publishing company boards of directors are responsible for setting and overseeing their company’s overall direction and strategy, setting its culture and values, providing guidance on major decisions such as acquisitions or new initiatives and financial planning, and acting as an essential check and balance to management team decisions ethically and effectively.
Boards play an indispensable part in the book publishing ecosystem, providing critical oversight and direction that ensure the long-term viability of an operation.