Publishing template
Section-Sewn Hardcover (16-Page Signatures)
Imposes 16-page Smyth-sewn text-block sections with ink controls, spine collating marks, head gathering marks, lay marks, and bindery trim references.
Ideal input: A5 portrait text pages with 3 mm bleed, in multiples of 16; supply the case/cover as a separate spine-calculated file
Template specs
| Sheet size | 17.72 × 12.6 in · 450 × 320 mm |
|---|---|
| Crop marks | Included |
| Bleed | Pulled from document |
| Complexity | Production pipeline |
| Steps | 6 |
| Category | Publishing |
How the Section-Sewn Hardcover (16-Page Signatures) layout is built
Builds four-up duplex sections in perfect-binding order, grouping four press sheets per saddle so each folded and sewn section contains exactly sixteen text pages.
Adds a repeatable CMYK/spot control strip in the disposable margin for density and balance checks across the long text-block run.
Places an overprinting staircase on the left spine edge, stepping once per 16-page signature so missing or duplicated sections are visible in the gathered book block.
Adds a second overprinting sequence along the head edge to verify section order while signatures move through folding, gathering, and sewing.
Declares the gripper and left side-guide orientation so fronts and backs feed consistently and the signature fold remains square to the press sheet.
Adds bindery registration/trim references outside the text pages for the initial sheet cut and final three-knife trim after sewing and casing-in.
Tools used in this template
Related guides
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