Show-through is the printing term used to describe the phenomenon of ink being visible on the back side of a sheet of paper. It’s caused by the transfer of ink from the front side of the paper to the back during the printing process. Show-through can be a problem with books that have a lot of text on each page, because it can make the text on the back side of the page difficult to read.
There are a few ways to reduce show-through in printed books. One is to use a heavier weight paper. Another is to print on both sides of the paper, which is called duplex printing. This can be done either manually or automatically. When printing manually, the printer will print on one side of the paper, then flip it over and print on the other side. When printing automatically, the printer will print on both sides of the paper at the same time.
Show-through can also be a problem with digital books, especially if they’re being read on a device with a backlit screen, like a Kindle or an iPad. The light from the screen can make the text on the back side of the page visible, which can be distracting and make it difficult to read.
There are a few ways to reduce show-through when reading digital books. One is to adjust the brightness of the screen. Another is to increase the font size. And finally, you can try reading in landscape mode, which will turn the page so that the text is horizontal instead of vertical. This can help reduce the amount of light that’s shining through the page.
Show-through is important in books because it allows the reader to see what is on the other side of the page, which can be helpful in following the story. It can also be a decorative element, adding to the overall look of the book. In some cases, show-through can even be used to create special effects, such as making a word appear to be floating on the page.