Covers and Backing: Finishing a Bound Report

The binding holds the document together. The covers decide whether it survives being carried around.

Front and back do different jobs

A clear front lets the title page show through and protects it. An opaque board back gives the document rigidity so it can be held in one hand. Using the same material for both is a missed opportunity.

Weight

Light card covers curl. For anything that will be handled repeatedly, a heavier board back is what keeps the block square.

Punch covers with the block

Holes must line up exactly or the document will not turn cleanly. Punching covers separately is where misalignment creeps in.

Margin

Leave enough margin on the bound edge that text is not swallowed by the spine when the document is open. This is set at the layout stage, not at the binding stage.