Publishing glossary
Publishing glossary
Book block: the interior pages before the cover.
The book block is the trimmed stack of interior pages that the cover wraps around.
Checked:
✓Block thickness equals spine width✓Set by page count and paper✓Interior file defines the block
Why the book block matters
The block's thickness is exactly what the cover spine wraps around. If interior page count changes after the cover is built, the spine no longer fits.
- Finalize pagination before the cover
- Thicker paper makes a thicker block
- Premium color adds thickness too
Keeping block and cover in sync
Use the cover calculator with the final page count, and re-run it after every interior change so the wrap always matches the block.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is inside a book block?
The printed interior pages, front matter through back matter, trimmed to the final page size.
Does the cover calculator use the book block?
Yes. Spine width is the block thickness, derived from page count and paper type.
Put the definition to work for free.
Run your manuscript through the matching free check and see how the term applies to your own book.