Casemaking seems pretty straightforward. There are generally two ways to bind a book, sheet-fed presses and roll-fed pressed, also known as web presses. Both of these methods provide a similar result, but how that’s accomplished can make one method of casemaking better for your needs than the other.

ROLL-FED VS. SHEET-FED, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Paper is manufactured in rolls. These large rolls can be expensive to move and cut into sheets. Depending on what kind of casemaking you choose, the cutting of the paper happens at different points.

Roll-Fed Casemaking

On a roll-fed casemaker, all the gluing, cutting, and turning all happen one after the next. The roll of paper to make the book cover is fed into the machine. The case travels through the glue roller, is applied to the pages, and then cut and scored to the correct size before the edges are turned-in. 

Sheet-Fed Casemaking

A sheet-fed casemaker required individual sheets of paper to be fed into the equipment. Depending on your setup, it is now possible for a roll of paper to be used. Once cut, the paper travels to the glue roller, then to the machine belt, before the cover board is placed and turned in. 

WHEN TO CONSIDER ROLL-FED CASEMAKING?

If you are doing a high-volume run of a single type of book, roll-fed casemaking is likely the best choice for your production needs. This type of casemaking makes the handling process significantly faster, reducing production time and overhead.

Additional advantages:

• Higher production speeds
• Very beneficial price per copy with large to medium size orders
• Elimination of additional processes
• Lower weight and thinner stocks can be used

Additional advantages:

• Higher production speeds
• Very beneficial price per copy with large to medium size orders
• Elimination of additional processes
• Lower weight and thinner stocks can be used

WHEN TO CONSIDER SHEET-FED CASEMAKING?

If you are doing a lot of short runs, sheet-fed might be better suited for your casemaking needs. If you are also using larger, heavier covers, sheet-fed casemaking is also better and usually provides a wider range of finishing and stock options. 

Additional advantages:

• A wider selection of casemaking formats
• Capability to use special finishes
• Equal length of a cover and inlet
• Thicker or higher weights of paper or board can be used
• Fast setup
• More economical for smaller runs or low volume orders