Handle With Care

to reach equilibrium with the environment.

During this time, the bound book and the made cover can be manipulated or allowed to find equilibrium by stabilizing the bound book. This is frequently done by stacking the books onto pallets and weighting them with a pallet or light banding.

If books are packed directly after case-in, a properly fitted bulk carton will stabilize the bound books.

Proper handling within the process and understanding of the components are vital to manufacturing high-quality books. It is best to consider how changes to the environment, the types of cover board or cover material, glue, or stacking method will affect moisture dissipation. In this way, returns and allowances are kept to a minimum, improving overall book-manufacturing productivity.

– David Bird

David Bird is technical support manager of Rock-Tenn Co., paperboard products division, a binder board manufacturer in Norcross, Ga.