Should my booklet have a separate cover?
It depends on how the booklet will be used. A self cover is printed on the same paper as the inside pages. A separate cover uses a heavier paper or card, often with lamination.
| Self cover | Separate cover | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Light and flexible | Sturdier, more premium |
| Best for | Programmes, handouts, short-life booklets | Brochures, catalogues, anything handled a lot |
| Cost | Usually lower | Usually higher |
How pages are counted
The cover’s four sides (front, inside front, inside back, back) count as pages. A 16-page booklet with a self cover is 16 pages in total. With a separate cover it is often described as “12 pages plus cover”; the product page says how it counts them.
Supplying the cover
You can supply the cover in the same PDF as the inside pages or as a separate file: both are fine. See What order should my booklet pages be in?
The cover papers available for each booklet are shown on the product page.