Head and tail bands are decorative bands of plain or striped sewn cotton that are glued or sewn to the top and bottom of a casebound book’s paper spine during lining.
They come in a wide range of patterns are colours and, while making little contribution to binding strength, do provide a pleasing aesthetic and are relatively inexpensive. The look they provide helps to make the book feel clean and professional.
They can act as a minor buffer between the pages and the shelf which helps to keep the book together by keeping dust out of the spine.
« Back to Glossary Index