Signature
One press sheet folded into a bundle of pages, commonly 8, 16, or 32. Several signatures are gathered to make the book block.
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What it is
A signature is one printed press sheet folded into a group of pages, then gathered with other groups to make a book. Eight, 16, and 32 pages are common signature sizes, but the real count depends on press sheet size, page size, paper, folding equipment, and binding.
Signatures are the building blocks behind saddle stitching, sewn books, and many perfect-bound books. They let a printer put many pages on one sheet, print both sides, fold them into reading order, and trim the result efficiently. A sewn hardcover often reveals the separate folded sections when you look down into its spine.
Gotcha: pages on the flat press sheet are not arranged as reader spreads. Their upside-down, out-of-order placement is imposition, and it becomes correct only after folding and cutting. Supply normal single pages unless the printer explicitly asks for imposed files; manually pairing pages usually duplicates work and creates errors.
Ask AI for it
Create a 16-page signature plan in Kodak Preps for this bound document. Show front and back press-sheet imposition, page rotation, fold sequence, head and foot, spine edge, gripper edge, bleed, and trim. Keep the supplied artwork as single pages, add blank pages where needed to complete the signature, and return both a low-resolution folded dummy diagram and a page-order checklist for preflight.