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Post by jaydencoleman on Mar 16, 2023 1:34:49 GMT
So far, the paperback proof copies I ordered have had their covers peeling off within about a month. It seems the Lulu book cover designs aren’t actually “printed” on the cardboard—Rather, it is just a plastic-like coating that is cheaply glued onto it. I haven’t heard anything about this issue on the internet, so I am wondering if this is just a thing with proof copies or not, or am I somehow handling my proof copies too roughly? Here is an image of what I am talking about:  |
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Post by And Kevin 2024 on Mar 16, 2023 1:44:45 GMT
The cover art is printed on to the paper. I think for paperbacks it's 150gm. But then a clear laminate is stuck over it, to both protect it and make it thicker, and glossy. It's a normal method.
But it should not peel off. I have Lulu made books (made in the UK) years old that that's not happened to. Report it to Lulu, who do not actually print the books, but they will harass whoever did.
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Post by jaydencoleman on Mar 16, 2023 2:02:52 GMT
The cover art is printed on to the paper. I think for paperbacks it's 150gm. But then a clear laminate is stuck over it, to both protect it and make it thicker, and glossy. It's a normal method. But it should not peel off. I have Lulu made books (made in the UK) years old that that's not happened to. Report it to Lulu, who do not actually print the books, but they will harass whoever did. I forgot to mention, the cover type I am referring to is the matte option. But either way, I also came across severe quality issues with the laminated option when I experimented with it. The printed lamination simply scratches off at even the slightest touch (like one of those scratch-off lottery tickets), and within a week like 20 percent of the total area of the cover was white background. Also btw I am in Canada. |
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Post by BlueAndGold on Mar 16, 2023 12:27:35 GMT
Thank you for that photo!
I have seen nothing that severe, though I do have a Lulu glossy-covered paperback that is showing just a bit of delamination at the top edge. It is about 5 years old with very light handling.
I suspect there is some variation between printing contractors. I have had some disappointments with color depth in the past year with a new contractor in Utah. Previous printers in Wisconsin and Tennessee(?) have made beautiful books.
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Post by Mag2024 on Mar 16, 2023 12:54:52 GMT
The cover art is printed on to the paper. I think for paperbacks it's 150gm. But then a clear laminate is stuck over it, to both protect it and make it thicker, and glossy. It's a normal method. But it should not peel off. I have Lulu made books (made in the UK) years old that that's not happened to. Report it to Lulu, who do not actually print the books, but they will harass whoever did. I forgot to mention, the cover type I am referring to is the matte option. But either way, I also came across severe quality issues with the laminated option when I experimented with it. The printed lamination simply scratches off at even the slightest touch (like one of those scratch-off lottery tickets), and within a week like 20 percent of the total area of the cover was white background. Also btw I am in Canada. You are correct. My workaround was to make all covers white. Matte paperback is also better that glossy. Harcover casewrap, great durability. No peeling or scratching issues. |
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Post by Mag2024 on Mar 16, 2023 12:58:02 GMT
So far, the paperback proof copies I ordered have had their covers peeling off within about a month. It seems the Lulu book cover designs aren’t actually “printed” on the cardboard—Rather, it is just a plastic-like coating that is cheaply glued onto it. I haven’t heard anything about this issue on the internet, so I am wondering if this is just a thing with proof copies or not, or am I somehow handling my proof copies too roughly? Here is an image of what I am talking about: View AttachmentThe proof is the same as the book buyers will get. I think the peeling and scratching only happens with glossy, paperback. |
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Post by BlueAndGold on Mar 16, 2023 13:49:36 GMT
I do like the feel of the matte finish. It's kind of rubbery.
My next publication will be with the matte finish. The prototype looks and feels nice.
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Post by exaramco on Mar 16, 2023 14:47:22 GMT
I have several glossy cover paperbacks and have had no problems.
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Post by potet on Mar 16, 2023 15:06:42 GMT
My books have been printed in France since 2011, and I came across this problem only once - the cover was peeling at a corner. So far it has never happened again.
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Post by Mag2024 on Mar 16, 2023 16:54:42 GMT
I have several glossy cover paperbacks and have had no problems. Interesting. Do you visit them a lot or are they on the shelf? |
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Post by Mag2024 on Mar 16, 2023 16:55:35 GMT
I do like the feel of the matte finish. It's kind of rubbery. My next publication will be with the matte finish. The prototype looks and feels nice. I went to the bookstores two weeks ago. I believe all the books in the front display were matte. |
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Post by jaydencoleman on Mar 16, 2023 21:19:35 GMT
So far, the paperback proof copies I ordered have had their covers peeling off within about a month. It seems the Lulu book cover designs aren’t actually “printed” on the cardboard—Rather, it is just a plastic-like coating that is cheaply glued onto it. I haven’t heard anything about this issue on the internet, so I am wondering if this is just a thing with proof copies or not, or am I somehow handling my proof copies too roughly? Here is an image of what I am talking about: View AttachmentThe proof is the same as the book buyers will get. I think the peeling and scratching only happens with glossy, paperback. it is pretty bad for the matte right here img-5771_Vp3JeG2I.mp4 (824.61 KB)In this video, the corner peels off like a banana peel way too easily, and the peeled-off matter is like a piece of a garbage bag.  |
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Post by jaydencoleman on Mar 16, 2023 21:32:11 GMT
I do like the feel of the matte finish. It's kind of rubbery. My next publication will be with the matte finish. The prototype looks and feels nice. The rubberiness is what makes it so fragile I think.  img-5771_Vp3JeG2I 1.mp4 (824.61 KB) |
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Post by jaydencoleman on Mar 16, 2023 21:35:21 GMT
My books have been printed in France since 2011, and I came across this problem only once - the cover was peeling at a corner. So far it has never happened again. (824.61 KB) Yup, the corner tends to be so prone to it... And it has happened to every proof copy I own so far. |
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Post by BlueAndGold on Mar 16, 2023 23:11:32 GMT
Make sure you let Lulu know about this!
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