In the ever-evolving world of publishing, staying ahead of the trends is crucial for capturing readers’ attention and boosting sales. One such trend that’s heating up is edge printing and staining. To shed light on these hot techniques, we sat down with Rich Letchinger, Sheridan’s Sales VP for the Trade and Education Book market, to discuss the ins and outs of edge printing and staining, their impact on the market, and what publishers need to know.
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Q: Can you explain these trending printing techniques and how they differ?
A: Edge enhancements are the hottest trend right now in the trade book sector and come in two basic formats. The first, edge staining, sprays a flood color on the head, foot, and fore edge of the book to add a splash of color. The second format, edge printing, prints an intricate four-color design on all sides of the book.
Q: What factors are driving the increased demand for edge printing and staining in the publishing industry?
A: There is an explosion of sales in the “Romantasy” (fantasy romance) sector of the trade market where these techniques are being used. Take Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing series for example, which created a frenzy on BookTok and Bookstagram. These social media platforms are full of influencers sharing their love of books, which in turn drives more sales.
Q: What are the main benefits of edge printing and staining for publishers and authors?
A: By adding an edge enhancement to the books, publishers increase the perceived value of the product and drive more sales. Notably, Barnes & Noble is creating dedicated sections in their stores to showcase this type of product. They even have a section on their website called “Judge a Book by Its Edges” dedicated to books with stained and printed edges.
Q: Are there any special considerations publishers should be aware of when using either of these techniques?
A: For publishers, the biggest consideration is production time. While edge printing is applied by a machine, both it and edge staining require manual steps – which significantly extend production time. When opting for edge staining, which is sprayed on, publishers need to take into consideration the overall cover design. It’s almost inevitable that some small amount of “over-spray” will occur on the books, so by anticipating this reality in the cover design, there will be no surprises when the final product is completed.
Q: How does the cost compare to traditional printing methods, and what kind of return on investment can publishers expect?
A: Our customers that use these techniques have shared that the cost to apply these operations to the final book product is easily recovered by the increased retail market price the publisher can charge to the consumer.
Q: How do you see the trend of edge-printing and staining evolving in the next few years?
A: This trend has great momentum, and we do not anticipate it fading in near term.
Edge printing and staining are transforming the publishing landscape, offering a unique way for books to stand out in a crowded market. As Rich highlighted, these techniques not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of books but also significantly boost their market value. With dedicated sections in stores like Barnes & Noble and a strong following on social media platforms, this trend shows no signs of slowing down.
At Sheridan, we are equipped to handle both staining and edge-printing techniques. To better serve our clients and meet the growing demand, we have recently installed a state-of-the-art edge-printing machine along with expanding our flood-staining capacity. These investments ensure that we can provide high-quality, intricate designs and vibrant color applications to help publishers elevate their products.