Self-Cover vs Plus-Cover Booklets: What Changes
How does page counting change?
For a self-cover booklet the count is simply the total, and it must divide by four like any saddle-stitched job. A 24-page self-cover booklet is six folded sheets, and the cover is the outermost of those sheets rather than anything separate.
For a plus cover the convention is usually to quote the text pages and the cover separately, so a booklet described as 24 pages plus cover has 28 physical pages in total. The mismatch between those two ways of counting is a routine source of confusion when a quote and a file are compared, so it is worth stating explicitly which is meant.
Does the cover affect creep?
Yes, in both directions. On a self-cover booklet the cover is part of the nested stack and creeps like every other sheet. On a plus cover the heavier stock adds disproportionate thickness at the spine, so the text block inside it can sit differently and the compensation calculated for the text stock alone may be wrong.
Creep compensation is derived from paper caliper, which is exactly what changes when a cover stock is specified. A switch from a light coated cover to a heavy uncoated one after imposition has been set up is enough to invalidate the compensation, so re-check whenever the cover specification moves.
How does imposition differ?
A self-cover booklet imposes as one job. The spread pairing follows the usual rule where the two page numbers on each sheet total the page count plus one, and the outermost sheet naturally carries the first and last pages.
A plus cover is imposed as two jobs. The cover is its own four-page section, printed and folded separately, and the text block is imposed as a complete booklet in its own right. That means the cover cannot be included in the text block's spread arithmetic, and a file that treats it as page one of the whole booklet will impose incorrectly.
Which should a given job use?
Self cover suits short, light booklets where a distinct cover would add cost without adding much, such as programmes, newsletters and short internal documents. Everything prints in one pass on one stock, which is the cheaper and simpler route.
Plus cover suits anything that will be handled repeatedly or needs to look substantial, because a heavier outer sheet resists creasing and holds its shape. It also becomes more attractive as the page count rises, since a thick text block on light stock is exactly where a self cover starts to feel flimsy.
| Aspect | Self cover | Plus cover |
|---|---|---|
| Cover stock | Same as text | Separate, usually heavier |
| Page counting | Total includes cover | Text plus four cover pages |
| Imposition | One job | Two separate sections |
| Creep | Cover creeps with the stack | Cover adds spine thickness |
| Typical use | Short, light booklets | Handled or higher page counts |
Common questions
Does a plus cover still need a page count divisible by four?
The text block does, because it is a saddle-stitched booklet in its own right. The cover contributes its own four pages as a separate section, so a booklet quoted as 24 pages plus cover has a 24-page text block and 28 physical pages overall.
Can I impose a plus cover with the text block?
No. The cover is printed separately on different stock, so it is imposed as its own four-page section. Including it in the text block's spread arithmetic shifts every pairing and produces a booklet that folds out of sequence.
Which is cheaper?
Self cover, generally, because everything prints on one stock in one pass with no separate cover section to set up. Plus cover adds material and a second job, and is chosen for durability and appearance rather than for cost.
Does the cover stock change creep compensation?
It can. Compensation is calculated from paper caliper, and a heavier cover adds thickness at the spine that the text stock alone does not account for. If the cover specification changes after imposition is set up, the compensation should be recalculated.
When is a self cover a poor choice?
When the booklet is thick or will be handled repeatedly. A light outer sheet creases and softens quickly, and as the text block grows a self cover offers no additional structure, which is the point at which a heavier separate cover starts to earn its cost.