Importance of Acclimatization
The Importance of Acclimatization for Printed Materials
The production and storage of printed materials like books, magazines, and catalogues require meticulous care to ensure their longevity and aesthetic appeal. One often-overlooked aspect is acclimatization — the process of allowing materials to adjust to their environment's temperature and humidity. Failure to manage acclimatization can lead to defects, particularly in hardcover books or softcover magazines and catalogues, where cover warping is a prevalent issue. Why does acclimatization matter? Printed materials are highly sensitive to environmental conditions, particularly humidity and temperature fluctuations. Paper, adhesives, and cover materials all react to changes in these conditions, causing warping, curling, or even structural damage. Proper acclimatization ensures that these components stabilize, maintaining the quality and durability of the finished product.
One of the most common results of insufficient acclimatization is cover warping. Cover warping—a noticeable deformation where the cover bends outward on the book's open side. Key causes include:
• Humidity Imbalances: Variations in moisture levels between the interior block, cover board, and covering material.
• Heating Season: During winter, low air humidity in heated facilities accelerates drying, creating tension in materials.
• Paper Type and Weight: Thin or coated paper, improper grain direction, and certain varnish types can exacerbate the issue.
• Storage and Transportation: Humidity and temperature changes during transport, especially in non-regulated conditions, contribute to warping. The most important question here is how to avoid it? Taking proactive measures during production and storage can significantly mitigate these problems.
• Optimize Material Selection and DesignSelect cover boards with appropriate thickness (minimum 2mm), use uncoated paper for endpapers, as it is less prone to humidity-induced expansion and avoid using excessively thin or highly coated interior paper blocks. Also, adjust designs to minimize risk factors, such as wide unprinted margins or full-area ink coverage.
• Maintain Proper Environmental ConditionsPrevent rapid environmental changes and store materials in facilities with controlled microclimates, ensuring relative humidity remains between 45% and 55% for at least 24 hours before opening the package of printed materials.
Acclimatization is a critical yet often overlooked step in the storage of printed materials. By understanding its importance and implementing preventive measures, manufacturers and clients can ensure the visual and structural quality of books, magazines, and catalogues.