Booklets
Coming soon!
Lob will be launching two digest booklet offerings in late Q2; the below details are subject to minor changes.
Overview
Booklets are a unique way to promote your products, services, or brand to potential and existing customers. About half the size of a magazine, our digest booklets are a snackable, tangible tool for storytelling.
9x6” booklet
Like all other mail formats at Lob, this is digitally printed, which allows for dynamic personalization.
Available in 8, 12, or 16 pages.
There is a minimum order size of 5,000.
Booklets have a 4-day production SLA
8.375 x5.375” booklet
Utilizes offset printing, a traditional method of printing used for static mailpieces; though slightly lower in cost, the artwork/copy of this booklet cannot be personalized.
Available in 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, or 32 pages.
There is a minimum order size of 10,000.
Booklets have a 4-day production SLA
Booklets are exclusive to Enterprise edition customers. Upgrade your Print & Mail edition to gain access to this mail format, or reach out to our sales team to learn more.
Dimensions & specs
Layout dimensions
Booklet sheet sheets are folded horizontally resulting in side-by-side panels to be read left to right, like a book. Reference our templates on where to place your design elements; pay close attention to address/postage block and safe zones.
9x6" layout templates
8.375x5.375" layout template
The 8.375x5.375 booklet is produced on an offset printer & mailpieces cannot be personalized.
Artwork considerations
Booklet sheets are printed double-sided in black and white or color.
Note zone around binding is 0.125” from either side of the midline/fold (.25” total). Artwork may be placed here, but note it will be impacted by the fold.
Minimum booklet size: 8 pages (this equates to 2 sheets of paper, with 2 panels printed on the front and back of each).
Page count must increase by 4 pages (1 sheet of paper) at a time.
Maximum booklet size:
9x6”: 16 pages (4 sheets of paper)
8.375x5.375” [OFFSET]: 32 Pages (8 sheets of paper)
Printer's spread
A printer’s spread is not in consecutive page order. Instead, pages are paired so that when the booklet is printed, assembled, and folded, all the pages appear consecutively. Each of our templates above include page numbers to guide you; the pdf below provides an overview of all.
Paper specs
We use a few pre-approved papers across our commercial printer network. In ensuring uniform quality and consistency across all of our mail pieces, each paper source specification must fall within a small range.
9x6” digest booklet
Basis Weight: 65# Matte Cover
Full Bleed
8.375x5.375” digest booklet [OFFSET]
Basis Weight: 60# Gloss Text
Full Bleed
Binding & Closure
For artwork, regardless of booklet size, note zone around the binding: 0.15” from either side of the midline/fold (.3” total). Artwork may be placed here, but it will be impacted by the fold.
All booklets, regardless of page count, will be saddle-stitched with two staples.
In saddle stitching, folded sheets of paper are nested in one another, then stacks are draped over a holding device (the paper hangs over each side like legs on a saddle). Then, long wire staples are threaded, or “stitched” through the paper; two staples is the standard.
All booklets, regardless of page count, will have a three-tab closure (wafer seals) for postal regulations.
Wafer seals are self-adhesive paper disks used to prepare self-mailing materials for delivery or to seal envelopes securely without glue.
Ink-free zone dimensions
9x6” digest booklet
W x H: 4 x 2.375"
0.15" from the center fold line
0.125" from the top edge (including bleed)
Placement: Left panel outside back
8.375x5.375” digest booklet [OFFSET]
W x H: 4 x 2.375"
0.15" from the center fold line
0.125" from the top edge (including bleed)
Placement: Left panel outside back
Booklet best practices
Ensure your booklets get to their final destination by following these guidelines:
The "from" field is required for all booklets, regardless of the destination
Booklets should not contain any PII outside of the no-ink zone
Avoid any prohibited artwork to ensure your mail does not get rejected by USPS
HIPAA-compliant booklets are not offered at this time, as booklets are not placed in envelopes
Mailing Class options may differ based on destination and use type (e.g. promotional vs non-promotional)
Booklets currently have a 4-day production SLA.
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