The integral cover is a flexible cover, obtained by using a cardboard with the outer flaps folded inwards, to increase its resistance and finish the edges.

These covers are generally printed and laminated, and are manufactured by machines specially designed for this work, tucking the edges of the cardboard for 15 – 20 mm, after having trimmed the corners to reduce the overlapping area.

The cover is applied to the book block, either by sewing or gluing it, an then attaching it to the endpapers, like in hard cover books. It is therefore possible to create volumes with the same finish of a hardcover book but with the same lightness of a printed perfect bound book.

The book may have a bookmark or a headband but it is light like a perfect bound volume.

The flexibility of the cover makes the application particularly suitable for diaries, journals, handbooks and guidebooks.

When setting the work, the cardboard fiber should be kept parallel to the back of the cover, to avoid unpleasant crackings or breakages at the creasing and tucking lines.

Machines from Petratto’s SAB line round corners, crease, fold and glue covers in a perfect way, even in one step and with high productivity levels.