Colored endsheets are perfect for making a book feel more cohesive and sophisticated. They are essentially the same as a printed endsheet but we’ll simply print the entire page a solid color. Just let us know the CMYK color code that you want your endsheets to be (or for an extra cost you can use a Pantone spot color). This option is often used for art books, coffee table books, journals, and hardcover novels.

Self-ends (also called self-endsheets) are a simpler alternative to traditional endsheets. Instead of using a separate sheet of paper to create the pastedown and flyleaf, the first and last printed pages of the book block itself are glued directly to the inside of the cover.

The main difference comes down to paper. Traditional endsheets use a dedicated, uncoated sheet of paper that’s separate from the interior pages, self-ends skip that separate sheet entirely — the book’s own interior page stock does double duty as the endsheet.

This makes self-ends a great choice for many children’s books. Children’s picture books have lower page counts and are often printed on thicker, coated stock. So that paper is already sturdy enough to serve as the pastedown without needing a different paper stock. In fact, most of our children’s book use a heavier paper (157GSM) than the stock we use for our endsheets (140GSM). Using self-ends also means the illustrations can run seamlessly from the cover straight into the story, which creates a cohesive, immersive feel for young readers.

Deciding between self-ends or traditional printed endsheets comes down to the paper stock, page count, layout, and desired aesthetic of yoru book. Your PufferPrint Print Specialist can provide guidance on what type of construction is best for your book.

Perfect bound softcover books don’t use endsheets because the spine of the book block is glued directly to the interior of the cover. If you want to have a similar effect in a softcover book, we do offer the option to print on the inside of the cover. But printing a design or illustration on both the interior of the cover and the first (or last) page of your book you can recreate the effect of printed endsheets. Just let your PufferPrint Print Specialist know when you submit your print files!

Endsheets may seem like a small detail, but they make a big impact on the overall quality and perception of a hardcover book. Whether you opt for blank simplicity, vibrant colors, or intricate designs, these pages offer a chance to enhance your book.