As unique as you are: Choose the best cover for your academic paper

Have you finished writing your Bachelor’s thesis, Master’s thesis or doctoral thesis? Have no idea what type of cover would suit best for your thesis? Don't worry, because in this article, we will describe how to choose the right cover and what to look out for in the process, thus ensuring not only a flawless visual appearance but also the longevity of your thesis. Our team of experts at Thesis & Me will gladly assist you in choosing the best cover for your work.

Choosing a cover for your thesis could be a challenging process at first. The question is what type of cover best suits your thesis and is cost effective at the same time. Don’t worry, though. We’ve got you covered. We will provide with everything you need. Here are the top 4 covers to choose from to stand out.

• Hard cover

Writing a thesis is one of the most significant milestones on your academic journey. If you want to keep your work looking in a high quality for a long period of time, it is best to choose a hard cover. It prevents creases, wetness, and staining if you spill liquid on it. The hard covers are made of a sturdy cardboard, which contributes to their high quality. The outer material has a matt lacquered linen structure and an acid-free white paper is used to line the inside pages. The hard cover includes 280 sheets per binding and available in A4 format.

The printing of the parent sheet is the first step of the binding, followed by the cutting, folding and assembling of the pages. The pages are then stitched together to form a book block. Once formed, fabric is applied to the spine of the case, where it will be glued.

Next is the creation of the hard cover, which includes a linen structure. The chosen cover design, spine and back are glued and folded around three pieces of cardboard. Once set, the hard cover is filled with the pages and glued together.

The final step of the process is the assembly. It entails trimming pieces of board to the cover size before inserting them into the cover making machine. A case making machine is used to add an adhesive to securely apply a cloth-like cover to the piece of board, resulting in a strong, hard cover for the book.

This type of binding is most suitable for binding bachelor's and master's theses, dissertations, state exam papers, doctoral dissertations, brochures, business reports and balance sheets.

• Soft cover with clamp binding

If you are not a fan of hard covers, because they are heavier and cause discomfort when carrying in your bag, then there is another solution for you: choose a soft cover with clamp binding. It strengthens the book and keeps the pages from tearing. The procedure is similar to that described above, except that the top of the book remains transparent.

The process of soft cover binding begins with inserting the cover, followed by placing the book block and aligning it against the paper guide. The block is then held against the turntable and the clamp is pushed forward and locked by lifting the clamp handle up.

Roughening and gluing are the next steps. The glue is forced into the spine of the book, directly into the paper fiber and between fanned sheets from above, which leads to strong adhesion.

The third step is nipping, which starts with returning the book to its original position. The folding bar places and presses the cover firmly against the book spine from both sides by automatically adapting to the thickness of the book. This operation attaches the cover to the block while also pressing the sheets together to reinforce the binding.

Soft cover bindings are produced in A4 format and can hold up to 140 sheets. This is a less expensive option that is appropriate for coursework, essays, academic theses or presentations.

• Soft cover with spiral binding

If you prefer a soft cover and want every page flip to be easy and smooth so that it stays still rather than flipping back, then the one with the spiral binding is the right choice. This type of cover has a transparent 250-micron density top and a 240 gsm colored paper spine. Also, the transparent matte front protects the front cover of the binding and leaves no fingerprints. The back is made of a sturdy linen board with a 240 g/m2 thickness that ensures stability.

The process of soft cover with spiral binding involves a wire or plastic spiral being threaded through round holes drilled in the book. But if we take a closer look at the method itself, it involves a spiral binding made of very strong plastic to bind the pages and cover of the book. The coil is inserted and twisted through small holes drilled along the spine edge of the book cover and pages. The average number of holes drilled is four. After threading the coil through all of the holes on the cover and pages, it is pressed at both ends to keep it in place.

Our spiral-bound soft covers start at 15 sheets and come in A4 size. The maximum number of sheets that can be bound is 125. Finally, the academic work is gripped with plastic circles that hold the pages. This binding style is highly adaptable and widely used for printing and binding short academic papers.

• Soft cover design

If you want to go beyond the conventional cover design, you have two options: you can choose an innovative cover design from our wide variety of stylish templates available on the site: Classic, Minimal, Abstract, Geometric, Dramatic, Elegant, Artistic, Monochromatic, Modern, Business, Lively, or Flashy. The second option is to create your own, custom cover design according to your personal preferences.

What distinguishes this option from the other soft covers already mentioned?

Once the pages are printed, they are strongly pressed together with the spine holding everything in place for durability. Overall, the process involves tight stitching and binding using a special hot gluing process. thesis.me offers a satin cover to prevent fingerprints on the cover of your thesis, because we all know how unpleasant it is to pick up a book and see fingerprints on it. Furthermore, the thickness of the cover is 300 g/m2, and it is printed in 4/4 color. The paper’s thickness is 80 g/m2 and can be printed in black & white or in color. The minimum number of pages required is 20. To ensure that everything is precise and in high quality, we use laser printing technology.

To top things off, we also provide ISBN number placement, which allows your thesis to be available for bookstores and libraries all over the world. By doing so, you can increase the possibility that your thesis will reach a wider audience.

The color of your cover is important as well, as it will make an immediate impression on the supervisor who will be reading your work. If you select the sophisticated color black, it will convey a refined and elegant feeling. If you are looking for a different impact for your cover, check out the other colors we have on offer to make your thesis shine in the best light:

• The classic look of Black

Black will always remain in the category of elegant colors. This color is also associated with respect, power, and luxury. For example, in graphic design, simple logos in black are recommended, and as you may have noticed, many companies use this color for their logos. If you want a more sophisticated look, we believe black is the best option for your thesis cover.

• A harmonious Blue

The color blue is commonly associated with the sky and water. Psychologically it evokes feelings of harmony, calmness, peace, trust, and stability. Because of these characteristics, many companies use it as their brand color. For example, Facebook and Twitter use blue to instill trust and calmness in their users.

• Powerful Bordeaux

Elegant, powerful, ambitious, passionate, confident, and wealthy. These are the words that are frequently used to describe the associations in relation to the color Bordeaux. It represents power, fashion, commitment, individualism, and uniqueness while also creating a warm and welcoming environment for the viewer's eyes. In general, this color is ideal for book covers. It's no coincidence that software programs such as InDesign, use burgundy as their primary color.

• Clean & elegant in White

The color white is often associated with cleanliness, purity and simplicity. It is illuminating and draws attention with a feeling of innocence. The positive connections with white make it popular for use in lots of different ways. From marketing products to promoting a cause, it’s often used to highlight the positives.

Selecting a cover for your thesis may sound like a confusing and difficult task at first, but now you know that it is quite the opposite. In fact, it even lets your creativity take center stage and the result represents your individual taste in the most stylish way. If you are having a hard time deciding on the specific type of cover or color, our professional team is more than happy to assist. We will safely guide you towards our desired – with the right high-quality paper, secure binding and an outstanding cover. So, let's get started!