Publishers often employ false bands to enhance a book’s appearance and appeal. These narrow strips of paper, cloth, or plastic are affixed to the spine of a book or even its cover. The primary purpose of false bands is to create an illusion of increased page count and thickness.
Thinner books like pamphlets or booklets can benefit from false bands as they offer substantial content that could attract potential buyers.
False bands also serve aesthetic and historical purposes. In the case of antique books, adding a wrong band creates the illusion of age, appealing to collectors and history enthusiasts alike. Additionally, colorful artificial bands adorn children’s books for visual appeal.
When applying false bands, various materials are used, ranging from traditional paper to fabric-like cloth or synthetic plastic. Generally adhesive, these embellishments are adhered to the spine but can be placed on either the front or back cover if desired.
In summary, false bands provide effective means for granting books enhanced visual allure by increasing perceived thickness or evoking historical charm. With their versatility in material selection and application location—whether spine-mounted or elsewhere—they remain frequent components in publishing design strategies.