I recently bought a hardcover book. Taking a look at it, I noticed something odd about the way the pages were trimmed. The edge of the book opposite the binding has very rough cut edges. Very few of the page edges match. However, the top and bottom of the pages have been trimmed flush. My wife tells me that this is a sign of a superior binding job, but can’t tell me why? Anyone ever heard of this?
-LabRat
Do you mean the edges are not straight? That’s a deckle cut and is decorative.
or are the pages different widths?That could mean that when the pages were stitched they were more interested in making sure they were tight than that the edgaes met.At least in the old days. Usually all three free edges are cut by a guillotine after stitching. In the old days the presure of the ‘clamps’ and the blade could stress and distort the stitching.It can still happen today,but usually the stitching is plenty strong and the trimmer is so quick there is less chance of damage,some are trimmed uneven to look cool. Thats my answer from experience as an artist in the printing trade,but don’t make book on it.