Specifications & Delivery Instructions For Inserts
Please follow the following instructions to ensure a trouble free arrival of inserts:
Inserts should arrive a minimum of 5 working days prior to the despatch of the title. Of course, inserts can be accepted earlier providing they are identified as stated below.
All deliveries must be clearly identified with the following information:
- Title of the insert
- Title of the publication
- Issue number/date of the publication
- Publishers name
- Quantity per parcel
We are unable to inspect and count incoming quantities and consequently cannot under any circumstances warrant these quantities. Failure to comply with the above criteria could result in inserts not being processed to the agreed time scale.
A written request is required from you within 7 days after the despatch date confirming instructions for any inserts which may remain after completion of the title, if these instructions are not received in writing then any remaining items may be destroyed.
Insert Checklist
- Inserts contained in a parcel below A5 size should be bound with elastic bands.
- Folded inserts presented in stacks should be turned through 180 degrees in suitable quantities, but never turned upside down. Turning in quantities of less than 20 would make the production process very slow and may incur extra costs.
- All multiple fold inserts must have at least one “closed edge” for mechanical processing, therefore at least one edge must be formed by a fold. This folded edge is the leading edge being fed into the publication.
- Concertina fold inserts cannot be processed mechanically and therefore the conditions under hand inserts will apply.
- All loose inserts must be at least 5mm below the size of the publication, both in length and width. The minimum size for successful machine insertion is A6 (148mm x 105mm).
- If there are inserts outside the above parameters e.g. strange shapes, oddities and cut outs, you are advised to contact us early to discuss the requirements. Such inserts cannot be fed mechanically, and will therefore very likely require extra time and incur additional cost to position them by hand.
We regularly process many different types of inserts (pens, sweets, post-it notes etc.) These extra operations can also include attaching CD’s, sachets or other similar free samples and promotional items on the cover or specific text pages within your publication.
Bound In Inserts For Saddle Stitched Publications
All bound in inserts for saddle stitched publications, must have a provision for a minimum binding lap, and a head trim, alternatively a tail trim if it is to be bound to the foot of the product. Please call us on (01202) 871766 regarding the dimensions and trims required.
Example only:
When knocked to the head the binding lap will appear on the back half of the insert or at the front if knocked to the foot, this enables the binding machine to open the insert at the centre and place it on the stitching saddle. Four page inserts appearing in the centre of the magazine should be a minimum paper weight of 80gsm.
Single page inserts can be accepted in paper weights from 80gsm to 300gsm but must have the correct head trim and a binding guard. The guard should be at least a one third of the full trim width (e.g. 70mm for an A4 page size).
The binding guard is required to hold the insert on the stitching saddle during collation. Single page inserts can only appear in the second half of the magazine. Inserts which are intended to be the same size as the finished magazine will require provision for an additional trim (minimum 5mm) on both the foredge and the tail to allow them to cut cleanly to size as the magazine is trimmed.
Inserts which are intended to be smaller than the trimmed size of the magazine in which they appear, (minimum size 100mm x 75mm), must be pre-trimmed, except the head trim, before collating.
Undersize Inserts
Inserts of four pages or more which are intended to be smaller than the magazine in which they appear must also be pre-trimmed other than the head before collating, but because of the binding lap requirement, will appear stepped by 9mm from the centre of the insert. This will only be immediately apparent if the insert is placed in the centre of the magazine.
Example only:
Gatefold Inserts
If these are to be the same trim size as that of the magazine, the usual head and foot trims must be catered for, but the foredge of the gatefold must be supplied 5mm short of the overall spine to foredge measurement. Special attention must also be paid if the magazine is bulking excessively, as this allowance may not be sufficient.
Example only:
Perfect Bound Inserts
Any insert to be perfect bound in must be positioned before or after a complete text section and not within the centre of a section. Please call us on (01202) 871766 regarding the dimensions and trims required.
Inserts which are to be smaller than the eventual size of the magazine must be pre-trimmed, with the exception of the head and spine, which must include the correct head and foredge trims. The minimum size of the insert supplied, excluding head trim, is 100mm x 150mm.
Gatefold Sections
If a four page section is supplied, the gatefold must be right hand opening, with a head trim, foot trim, plus a binding guard. In addition, the fold must be 5mm short of the foredge trim, and the opening two pages must be 9mm short of the spine.
Example only:
For queries or samples of any of the above, call us on (01202) 871766 or use our Contact Form and we will be pleased to assist
