Vocabulary of Bookmaking

accordion-a paper folded back and forth to create a zig-zag pattern

binding-the manner in which the book is held together; the manner in which it is sewed, folded, or adhered.

boards-the front and back covers of the book, when they are made of stiff material

codex-the standard book format:  numerous pages grouped into signatures that are then sewn together

concertina-an accordion fold book

dummy-a model of a book that is made to determine sizes, etc

edition-more than one copy of the same book; editions are made to sell, trade, or give away

endpaper-generally a decorative paper used on the inside of the front and back cover to hide the edges where the cover paper is folded over

flyleaf-the blank page at the very beginning and end of the book

foot-the bottom of the book

fore-edge-the open side of the book

format-the general shape, appearance and construction of a book; examples:  an accordion format, a codex format, etc.

head-the top of the book

signature-a group or gathering of folded and nested paper that becomes the pages of a book. In the printing industry, a signature is usually composed of four pieces of paper folded in half, making eight pages.

spine-the closed side of the book

text block-also called the book block. The contents of a book, excluding its covers

title page-the title page is usually the first page in a book. It states the title, author, and (is applicable) the illustrator.

title page verso-the page on the opposite side (back) of the title page.  This is where the dedication and copyright information are found.