In our last post about hardcover books, we mentioned dust jackets. But what is a dust jacket? Today we’ll answer that question and a few others concerning dust jackets.
What is a Dust Jacket?
A dust jacket is, in its most essential form, a piece of paper sized to wrap around the cover of a book to protect the book’s cover from the accumulation of dust. Dust jackets are held in place by flaps that tuck into the front and back covers of the book. Dust jackets are most often found on hardcover books, although they are sometimes included with softcover books.
Are Dust Jackets Versatile?
Yes! In addition to protecting the book from dust, a dust jacket prevents the cover from being damaged by scrapes, spills, grease, dirt, etc. Many dust jackets have an added laminate or coating (gloss or sheen) to increase protection and add to the longevity of the dust jacket itself.
Are Dust Jackets Necessary?
No, a dust jacket is an optional feature or accessory.
Do Dust Jackets Serve Any other Purpose?
Yes. Besides providing protective features, dust jackets serve as a passive marketing tool enabling potential readers to assess whether or not to purchase and read the book. This is accomplished by including relevant information about the book’s contents on the inner flaps of the dust jacket — typically, a brief description of the book along with a photograph and brief bio of the author are most common. On the back of most dust jackets, endorsements or testimonials from other authors, or snippets of good reviews from previous works by the author are standard.
If you have any questions about dust jackets, give us a call at 330-597-8560. We’re happy to help you get the most out of your printing project.
