Why Do Some Books Have Extra Blank Pages at the End or the Start?
Have you ever picked up a book and noticed that there were some extra blank pages at the beginning or end? It is a phenomenon that arises from a variety of reasons, primarily related to the printing process. In this article, we will explore the common causes behind these extra pages and why they are sometimes placed at the beginning or end of a book.
Printing Exigencies in Traditional Books
Traditional printing processes involve using large rolls of paper that are printed in sections. The sections are then folded, collated, bound, and cut. Occasionally, there might not be enough content for the final three or four pages, resulting in blank pages. These are often placed at the beginning of the book for aesthetic reasons, making the book appear more complete.
When it comes to digital books, the situation is a bit different. While they ideally should not have blank pages, some traditional publishers intentionally add a couple of blank pages to make digital books resemble real ones. This practice does not significantly increase the file size and adds a sense of authenticity to the e-book.
Processes in Printed Books
In the printing of printed books, especially hard-cover books, a large sheet of paper is used, which is printed on both sides. The pages are bundled in page number order, folded in half, and sewn together. This process continues until all pages are printed. The bundles are then stacked in sequence, compressed, and adhesive is applied to bind them into the hard cover.
At times, due to the mismatch between the page count and the size of the printed sheets, there may be extra blank pages at the end of the book. Publishers try to minimize this to reduce expenses, but it often depends on the total page count of the book. Sometimes, to offset this expense, publishers will print an author bio, a blurb for a subsequent book, or a sample chapter, which can also include references to other titles in the same genre.
Standard Print Units in Offset Printing
Traditional offset printing, the method used to produce both paperback and hardcover books, utilizes a 16-page unit. This unit is achieved by folding a large sheet of paper four times, resulting in 16 printed pages. Therefore, if a book is short of 16 pages at the end, it may be formatted to spread the blank pages at the front and back. This is also one of the reasons why some books with color pages at the beginning will have the same number of color pages in other locations.
The presence of these extra blank pages can be a result of the printing process and is not necessarily indicative of any flaw or mistake in the publication. Understanding these aspects can provide insights into the publishing world and help appreciate the complexity of the book-making process.