Re: Book covers

[Mark Williams <marwill@EIS.CALSTATE.EDU>]

Laminating film is usually much thicker than the commercial covers (i.e.
Demco's Paperfold).  It should hold up longer, BUT it doesn't fold or
crease as well, and the covered book becomes "puffier" on the shelf and
in my experience, "drags" against other books (especially other
commercially covered books) so the patron ends up struggling or pulling
two or more off the shelf at once.  Cost is a factor as well.  Here
(southern California) laminating film wide enough to accomodate most
sizes of books costs more (about 50% more) than the equvilant in
commercial covers.  Finally, to get the best adhesion, you must leave a
small amount of the laminating film at all edges (you can't trim right up
the the cover's edge in other words).  This makes the cover larger than
it would normally be when replaced on the book.

Oops--forgot one other thing--laminating is forever.  If the cover is
damaged, you cannot take the laminating film off and relpace it without
destroying the original cover in the process.  Mending and/or replacement
is still possible with the commercial covers.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Mark