In the printing industry, case bound books (also called hardcover books) come with certain tolerances and limitations, especially regarding bleeds and image wrap on the inside covers (also known as the pastedown endpapers or inside of the case). Here’s what’s standard and acceptable in the industry:

📘 Industry Tolerance for Image Bleed on Inside Covers (Case Bound Books)

Typical Tolerances:

• Bleed tolerance: ±1/16" (about 1.6 mm) is common.

• Image shift or white edge visibility: up to 1/16" of white or image misalignment at the joint (hinge edge or fore edge) is generally within acceptable tolerance.

• Case wrap alignment: Slight shifts in the case wrap can cause white to show on the inside, especially near the gutter or edge folds. This is expected and allowable up to 1/16" – 1/8", depending on bindery method and equipment.

 Why White Shows on the Inside Cover:

• Mechanical case-making process: Even small shifts in the placement of the printed sheet over the board can cause the bleed to appear slightly off.

• Hinge area wrapping: The inner hinge and turn-ins often cover unevenly, especially with full-bleed images that go edge-to-edge.

• Grain direction and glue absorption: These can affect how the paper stretches or shrinks, impacting the final appearance.

Best Practice Response to Clients:

If a client notices slight white showing, and it is within the above tolerances:

“The small area of white visible on the inside cover is within industry-standard production tolerances for case-bound books. Due to the manual and mechanical processes involved in case wrapping, a shift of up to 1/16" is expected and allowable. We always aim for precision, and we welcome opportunities to adjust for more critical applications on future runs if needed.”