In the book and publishing industry, soft covers are the type of bookbinding techniques characterized by external book covers created from flexible materials of paper and cardboard, which are flexible enough to bend around a book spine, creating a series of portable volumes of literature. These are sometimes also known as mass-market paperbacks.
The book block is formed by sticking or sewing together several folded sheets of paper pieces called signatures. These sheets are subsequently linked with an adhesive or thread to the soft cover. While they can be of varying quality or thickness, they are usually more robust than standard sheets of paper.
Publishers and readers enjoy many advantages with soft covers. Publishers find it cheaper to go for softback because of the reduced cost of manufacture and materials; they are easy to pack and transport and, hence, are suitable for mass distribution and sale in nontraditional bookstores such as airports or supermarkets.
Soft cover books make reading sessions easy and comfortable for people since they are light in weight. Moreover, they are cheaper than hardcovers and hence become affordable to many.
Although soft covers have some disadvantages compared to hardcovers, these books are less durable than their counterparts, quickly get wrinkles or bends while being folded or bent excessively than it is, and can wear out quickly due to frequent use or improper.
Soft covers form part and parcel of the book publishing industry that satisfies the needs of both the readers and the publishers as a cheap option.