Staple books: multiples of 4, bleeds, files

1. The number of pages must be multiple of 4

This is the first rule, and it is non-negotiable. A stapled booklet (metal horse-strip, the most common staple mode) is made from A3 or A4 sheets folded in half. Each sheet therefore brings 4 pages to the booklet (recto verso on each side of the fold).

Consequence: the total number of pages of the booklet must be a multiple of 4. Soit : 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, etc. Pas 14, pas 18, pas 30.

What if your content doesn't stack a multiple of 4?

Two solutions, at your choice:

1. Add blank pages These white pages can be placed wherever you want: end of the booklet, transition between sections, breathing page at the beginning. If you do not specify, our studio adds the white pages at the end of the default booklet.
2. Add useful content This is often the best option for rule books: add a blank note page for players, a lexicon of the terms of the game, a detailed summary, a credit or thanks page. These additions enrich the booklet without overloading it.

2. Bleeds and quiet area

As with cards, casecases and flyers, stapled booklets require 3 mm of bleeds on each side and one quiet area of 3 mm inside where text, logo or critical pictogram are not placed.

All pages must follow this rule: cover, inside pages, back (back page). If your back page is coloured, it must overflow by 3 mm beyond the finished format. If you have a coloured side strip on some pages, it must also overflow.

Special case: pages opposite with continuous background

For double pages (left + right page with a visual that crosses the central fold), provide an internal margin 5 to 8 mm on each side of the fold to prevent important elements (text, logo) from being hidden in the central fold. The fold of a booklet stapled "mange" about 3 to 5 mm visually when the booklet is in hand.

If your booklet deals with topics on double pages (e.g. a chronological frieze, a large schema), test by printing a flat prototype and then folded: you immediately see if a critical element falls into the fold.

3. Ordering pages in PDF: order of reading, not taxation

This is the second important rule after multiple of 4. Provide PDF in order of reading, not in imposed boards.

In concrete terms, your PDF should be structured as follows:

• PDF page 1 = page 1 of the booklet (front cover)
• PDF page 2 = page 2 of the booklet (inside the cover)
• Page 3 of PDF = page 3 of the booklet
• ...
• PDF N-1 page = page N-1 of booklet (back cover inside)
• PDF N page = Booklet N page (back cover)

Our studio is taxing (grouping board pages according to the press selected) internally. If you provide us with imposed pages (e.g. a 16 page booklet in 4 boards A3 double-sided), we need to break down to reformat, which increases the delay and increases the risk of error.

4. Cover and interior: same or different paper

Two possible configurations for a B2B booklet:

Configuration 1: everything on the same paper (single book)

For rule books included in a game box, you often use the same paper for cover and interior : offset 90 or 100 g/m2 or lying 135 g/m2 according to the desired rendering. In this case, insert the cover as the first and last page of the PDF, and that's all.

Configuration 2: thicker paper cover with finishing

For premium booklets (business presentation booklet, detailed manual, professional educational booklet), coverage is often printed on a thicker paper (250 or 300 g/m2) with different finishes from the inside: matt or shiny coating, selective varnish on the title, sometimes hot gold on the logo.

In this case, provide two separate PDF files :

• Couverture (4 pages) : page 1 = front cover, page 2 = front cover, page 3 = back cover, page 4 = back cover. To be provided in this order, as a mini-sequence of 4 pages.
• Interior (N - 4 pages) : the internal pages of the booklet, in the order of reading.

Name files explicitly: livret_projet_couverture.pdf And livret_projet_interieur.pdf. Specify in the brief the gramming of the cover and its finishes.

5. Most common book formats

Typical pages: 8 to 16 pages for a standard rule book, 16 to 32 pages for a detailed teaching booklet, 32 to 48 pages for a complete game manual or a corporate brochure. Over 48 pages, the horse staple becomes unstable and you switch to a glued back (other binding technique not covered by this sheet).

6. Common finishings on B2B booklets

Booklet finishes are mainly applied to the cover (which is the part seen first):

• Matte lamination on the cover: B2B premium standard.
• Glossy lamination : look magazine, dynamique, plus accessible.
• Selective varnish on the title, logo or graphic elements of the cover.
• Hot foil stamping (gold, silver) on logo or title for very premium booklets.
• Gaufring the embossed logo.

For technical details of each finish, see our glossary of printing finishes. For booklets with complete rules of play (with illustrations, diagrams, examples), see our page printed rules of the game.

7. Checklist before sending the booklet file

• Total number of pages = multiple of 4 (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32...)
• If not multiple: white pages added or intended filling content
• 3 mm bleeds on all sides of all pages
• Quiet area 3 mm respected (texts, logos, pictograms)
• Inner margin 5-8 mm on double-pages with continuous bottom
• PDF in order of reading, one page per page of the PDF
• Pas d'imposition en planches
• Separate cover if paper or different finishes from the inside
• CMYK Coated Fogra 39, 300 dpi mode, vectorized fonts
• Finishes specified in the brief (painting, varnish, gilding)

For technical bases applicable to all media, see our general information sheet. For pamphlets (which follow a different logic with imposed shutters), consult the flyers and flyers.

French manufacturing process B2B

Understanding the downstream process illuminates file preparation choices. Here are the main manufacturing steps in order:

1. Receiving and checking the file (24 to 48 hours). Our studio checks: CMYK mode, resolution, bleeds, vectored fonts, quiet area, text meaning per face. If not compliant, return with detailed report for correction.
2. BAT validation (Good to shoot, 24h). We send a PDF or physical BAT according to your choice. Explicit validation mandatory before launch.
3. Pressing and printing (3-7 days)Offset for medium and large series, digital for small quantities and prototypes. Plant inks on all our B2B supports.
4. Finishes (1 to 5 days depending on options). Film coating, selective varnish, hot gilding, embossing, polishing of the songs: check our glossary of finishes.
5. Cut, fold, back-up, assembly (2-5 days). On our industrial lines or in ESAT workshop for manual operations with high added value.
6. Quality control and packaging (1 to 2 days). EN71 compliance test on games intended for a family or child audience, visual inspection of the whole lot.
7. Shipping (24 to 72 hours)Delivery France metropolitan via partner carrier. Possibility of logistics storage at our home for orders spread over time.

Average total time: 3 to 5 weeks depending on complexity, finishes and quantity. For urgent orders (seminars, trade shows), we offer an express mode on certain formats: request a quote.

Regulatory compliance and certification

Board games intended for the general public or children must meet several standards:

• EN71-1, EN71-2, EN71-3 European standard on the safety of toys (mechanical resistance, flammability, chemical migration). Our cards, cases, boxes and trays for children or families are systematically tested. See our page on safety standards toy.
• CE : compulsory marking for sale in the European Union. Cover EN71 and other directives.
• REACH European Chemicals Regulation. Our inks and film-coated products are REACH compliant.
• PEFC / FSC : certifications for sustainable forest management. We work with certified papers on request.
• ESAT (Establishment and Labour Support Service) : our partner workshop in Brittany is a ESAT, which allows the client companies to count their orders under the obligation to employ disabled workers (Law of 11 February 2005).

In your brief, specify the expected certifications: we adapt the materials and processes accordingly.