Plate gaps refer to the space between text and illustrations on a plate or between two plates in a book that usually remains blank but may contain texts or other types of information.
Plate gaps serve several functions. They can help separate different sections of text or illustrations, add visual interest, and allow binders to insert plates without damaging text or illustrations. Furthermore, they can create borders around plates or emphasize some aspects of them.
Publishers often specify the width of plate gaps when producing books that will be rebound or those featuring particularly delicate plates.
Plate gaps can often be found in books containing plates but also appear elsewhere in literature. For instance, some books offer blank pages between chapters so readers can make notes or sketch their thoughts; these blank pages are commonly known as plate gaps, even though they do not contain any plates themselves.
A plate gap is an intentional gap left between text and images on a book page to allow for easier viewing of an image without blocking text from being read. Plate gaps can be beneficial when the image is large or complex; aesthetic considerations may also play a factor.
The Plate Gap is essential to books as it allows for efficient and cost-effective production of high-quality books. With it, publishers could print each page individually, which would take time and be costly. Furthermore, it ensures the pages of a book remain aligned for an expert-looking finished product.