~ by Kailyn Hildebrand, Book Project Specialist
Sprayed edge books have become a staple in publishing, becoming especially popular in the romance and fantasy genres. Thanks to “BookTok”, readers love the colourful, artistic edges that turn books into keepsakes, and the trend isn’t slowing down.
At Friesens, we’re proud to be part of it. With our new DigiB sprayed edge machine, we’ve been producing eye-catching edge designs for publishers across North America and Europe. Along the way, we’ve learned what works best, and what to watch for.
KEY TIPS FOR SPRAYED EDGE PRINTING
- CMYK only – PMS colours aren’t supported.
- Softcovers with Flaps – Keep flap overhang minimal to avoid printing issues.
- Rounded Corners – They could affect the design, so review it with your Project Specialist.
- Ragged Foredges – It’s possible to spray them, but we’d want to do an extra review of the project for best results.
- File Setup – The colour must be set correctly in the file…we can’t adjust it later.
- Colour Expectations – Colours print softer on uncoated papers. Note that we can’t match sprayed edge colours to proofs or covers.
- Design Margins – Start your bleed designs at least 0.125” from the edge.
- Colour Bleed – Some colour variation is normal, especially with tabbed jobs.
NEW TOOLS FOR YOU IN MYBOOKS
To help you visualize and prepare your projects more effectively, we’ve introduced some new tools to the MyBooks platform:
- “Danger Zone” guides show where trimming or paper PPI might affect your design, making sure artwork stays safely within printable margins.
- A 3D proofing tool lets you preview how your design wraps around the book; it’s a great way to catch issues early and confirm your vision before going to press.
UPDATED PROOFING GUIDELINES
Alongside these new tools, we’ve updated our proofing process to reflect sprayed edge best practices:
- Physical Proofs will be produced using dummy books sent to you for review.
- Online Proofs will be released alongside the dummy books for final approval.
- An EPP operator will perform early file checks to catch any issues.
We’re excited to continue exploring the creative possibilities of sprayed edge printing. Whether you’re looking to add a subtle touch of colour or a bold, full-bleed design, our team is here to help bring your vision to life with the quality and care Friesens is known for.
