Talking About Head and Tail Bands

Ever wondered what those colored pieces of thread at the top and bottom of a hardback book spine were called? Have you ever noticed them? Wonder no more! These are the head and tail bands - usually shortened to H&T bands.

Head and tail bands have been used in bookbinding in one format or another since the twelfth century, although they didn't appear in their current form until around the sixteenth century. Originally they were sewn into the book and used to reinforce the binding. 

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They made the spine stronger so the case did not come away from the book block when the book was repeatedly pulled off the bookshelves. These days they are glued in during the automated binding process, rather than sewn in, and serve a purely decorative purpose. H&T bands are only used on hardback books, and the spine needs around 8mm for H&T bands to be added.

Head and Tail Bands

While they may go unnoticed by those outside the industry, they provide the final finishing touches to a book's design, are usually chosen with care to match a prominent color on the cover, and are available in a huge array of hues.

Head and tail bands are decorative and functional elements of hardcover books. These cord details are attached to the top (head) and bottom (tail) edges of the book block. 

Head and tail bands contribute to durability, and strength, and provide added reinforcement and stability to the binding. Additionally, head and tail bands enhance the aesthetic appeal of hardcover books by adding a touch of elegance and sophisticated appearance. They can also complement the book's cover material or feature contrasting colors and patterns, making the hardback title visually attractive even more.