Decorative edges: Difference between revisions
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The term decorative edges refers to book page edges that have been painted, cut, engraved, or otherwise embellished, usually for purely aesthetic purposes. | |||
== History of decorative edges == | == History of decorative edges == | ||
Decorative book edges are very popular today, but they are not a modern invention. In the Middle Ages, books were considered luxury items, and were very expensive. [[Illustrated book|The books]] were bound and decorated elaborately with expensive materials like gold and silver, and were filled with colorful illustrations and calligraphy.<ref>Minneapolis Institute of Art. “Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts.” ''Artsmia'', 2021, [https://new.artsmia.org/programs/teachers-and-students/teaching-the-arts/art-in-context/medieval-illuminated-manuscripts new.artsmia.org/programs/teachers-and-students/teaching-the-arts/art-in-context/medieval-illuminated-manuscripts].</ref> However, some of these decorations were also practical. Originally, sprayed edges (also known as "spredges"), were used to identify books. Instead of the title being on the [[spine]] of the book like it is today, it was painted onto the page side and books were stored on shelves with the page side out. Later in the 1500s, book titles began to be put on the spine instead. However, this did not stop scribes from adding embellishments onto the pages. Gilded pages, or edges painted with gold leaf, were popular for Bibles. Besides looking nice, gilded edges made books easier to wipe dust from.<ref name=":0">Whiteley, Imogen. “Essay: A History of the Sprayed Edge.” ''Faber'', 23 June 2025, [https://www.faber.co.uk/journal/essay-a-history-of-the-sprayed-edge/?srsltid=AfmBOoqv1lSJnpyu0OPGziMXHNkyFPBk7xR2N1nczDl-3Uy2eY7Mue76 www.faber.co.uk/journal/essay-a-history-of-the-sprayed-edge/?srsltid=AfmBOoqv1lSJnpyu0OPGziMXHNkyFPBk7xR2N1nczDl-3Uy2eY7Mue76]. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.</ref>[[File:Fore-edge painting.jpg|thumb|An image of a disappearing fore-edge painting depicting a scene of a town. Painted on ''The Poems of Winthrop Mackward Praed'' (1869).<ref>Virginia Museum of History & Culture. “Fore-Edge Painting.” ''Virginia Museum of History & Culture'', 2024, [https://virginiahistory.org/learn/fore-edge-painting virginiahistory.org/learn/fore-edge-painting].</ref>]]In the sixteenth century, Cesare Vecellio, a Venetian painter, began to paint detailed scenes on book pages. These were watercolor paintings<ref name=":1">Rogiest, Peter. "Annotated Dictionary of Fore-Edge Painting Artists and Binders; the Fore-Edge Paintings of Miss C. B. Curie with a Catalogue Raisonné." ''Art Libraries Journal'', vol. 39, no. 2, 2014, pp. 49-51''. ProQuest'', http://libgateway.susqu.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/annotated-dictionary-fore-edge-painting-artists/docview/1518507408/se-2.</ref> that usually depicted pastoral scenes, mythological figures, or decorative patterns.<ref name=":0" /> These were called "fore-edge paintings," and could only be seen when the book was completely closed. These were not especially popular at the time. | Decorative book edges are very popular today, but they are not a modern invention. In the Middle Ages, books were considered luxury items, and were very expensive. [[Illustrated book|The books]] were bound and decorated elaborately with expensive materials like gold and silver, and were filled with colorful illustrations and calligraphy.<ref>Minneapolis Institute of Art. “Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts.” ''Artsmia'', 2021, [https://new.artsmia.org/programs/teachers-and-students/teaching-the-arts/art-in-context/medieval-illuminated-manuscripts new.artsmia.org/programs/teachers-and-students/teaching-the-arts/art-in-context/medieval-illuminated-manuscripts].</ref> However, some of these decorations were also practical. Originally, sprayed edges (also known as "spredges"), were used to identify books. Instead of the title being on the [[spine]] of the book like it is today, it was painted onto the page side and books were stored on shelves with the page side out. Later in the 1500s, book titles began to be put on the spine instead. However, this did not stop scribes from adding embellishments onto the pages. Gilded pages, or edges painted with gold leaf, were popular for Bibles. Besides looking nice, gilded edges made books easier to wipe dust from.<ref name=":0">Whiteley, Imogen. “Essay: A History of the Sprayed Edge.” ''Faber'', 23 June 2025, [https://www.faber.co.uk/journal/essay-a-history-of-the-sprayed-edge/?srsltid=AfmBOoqv1lSJnpyu0OPGziMXHNkyFPBk7xR2N1nczDl-3Uy2eY7Mue76 www.faber.co.uk/journal/essay-a-history-of-the-sprayed-edge/?srsltid=AfmBOoqv1lSJnpyu0OPGziMXHNkyFPBk7xR2N1nczDl-3Uy2eY7Mue76]. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.</ref>[[File:Fore-edge painting.jpg|thumb|An image of a disappearing fore-edge painting depicting a scene of a town. Painted on ''The Poems of Winthrop Mackward Praed'' (1869).<ref>Virginia Museum of History & Culture. “Fore-Edge Painting.” ''Virginia Museum of History & Culture'', 2024, [https://virginiahistory.org/learn/fore-edge-painting virginiahistory.org/learn/fore-edge-painting].</ref>]]In the sixteenth century, Cesare Vecellio, a Venetian painter, began to paint detailed scenes on book pages. These were watercolor paintings<ref name=":1">Rogiest, Peter. "Annotated Dictionary of Fore-Edge Painting Artists and Binders; the Fore-Edge Paintings of Miss C. B. Curie with a Catalogue Raisonné." ''Art Libraries Journal'', vol. 39, no. 2, 2014, pp. 49-51''. ProQuest'', http://libgateway.susqu.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/annotated-dictionary-fore-edge-painting-artists/docview/1518507408/se-2.</ref> that usually depicted pastoral scenes, mythological figures, or decorative patterns.<ref name=":0" /> These were called "fore-edge paintings," and could only be seen when the book was completely closed. These were not especially popular at the time. A royal bookbinder named Samuel Mearne invented another kind of fore-edge painting in the 1660s. Rather than painting on the outer edge of the pages, Mearne painted on the inner edge.<ref name=":0" /> These paintings were not able to be seen when the book was closed, but only when the pages were fanned out.<ref name=":1" />[[File:Percy Jackson & The Olympians Special Edition.jpg|left|thumb|Illumicrate's special edition reprint of ''Percy Jackson and the Olympians'', which features digitally-printed page edges.<ref>Illumicrate [@illumicrate]. "Percy Jackson and the Olympians Special Edition Reprint." ''Instagram,'' 26 November 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DRhjDarkwpN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link. Accessed 5 December 2025.</ref>|309x309px]]Fore-edge paintings served a functional purpose as well as an aesthetic one. Book pages were prone to yellowing and crumbling before the invention of acid-free paper. However, gilding and fore-edge paintings helped protect books from disintegrating.<ref name=":0" /> Decorated page edges no longer have a functional purpose, but they have still risen in popularity over the past few years. Many special editions of books have sprayed or gilded edges, and the standard paperback editions of some books automatically come with sprayed edges. | ||
A royal bookbinder named Samuel Mearne invented another kind of fore-edge painting in the 1660s. Rather than painting on the outer edge of the pages, Mearne painted on the inner edge.<ref name=":0" /> These paintings were not able to be seen when the book was closed, but only when the pages were fanned out.<ref name=":1" />[[File:Percy Jackson & The Olympians Special Edition.jpg|left|thumb|Illumicrate's special edition reprint of ''Percy Jackson and the Olympians'', which features digitally-printed page edges.<ref>Illumicrate [@illumicrate]. "Percy Jackson and the Olympians Special Edition Reprint." ''Instagram,'' 26 November 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DRhjDarkwpN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link. Accessed 5 December 2025.</ref>|309x309px]]Fore-edge paintings served a functional purpose as well as an aesthetic one. Book pages were prone to yellowing and crumbling before the invention of acid-free paper. However, gilding and fore-edge paintings helped protect books from disintegrating.<ref name=":0" /> Decorated page edges no longer have a functional purpose, but they have still risen in popularity over the past few years. Many special editions of books have sprayed or gilded edges, and the standard paperback editions of some books automatically come with sprayed edges. | |||
== Types of decorated edges == | == Types of decorated edges == | ||
[[File:Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.jpg|left|thumb|290x290px|10th anniversary special edition of ''Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda'' by Becky Albertalli, featuring a rainbow sprayed edge.<ref>“Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda 10th Anniversary Deluxe Limited Edition.” ''Amazon'', 2025, [https://www.amazon.com/Sapiens-Agenda-Anniversary-Deluxe-Limited/dp/0063443473 www.amazon.com/Sapiens-Agenda-Anniversary-Deluxe-Limited/dp/0063443473].</ref>]] | [[File:Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.jpg|left|thumb|290x290px|10th anniversary special edition of ''Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda'' by Becky Albertalli, featuring a rainbow sprayed edge.<ref>“Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda 10th Anniversary Deluxe Limited Edition.” ''Amazon'', 2025, [https://www.amazon.com/Sapiens-Agenda-Anniversary-Deluxe-Limited/dp/0063443473 www.amazon.com/Sapiens-Agenda-Anniversary-Deluxe-Limited/dp/0063443473].</ref>]] | ||
Although sprayed edges are | Although sprayed edges are the most popular type of decorated book pages, they are not the only type of decoration. Some of the most popular types of decoration include sprayed edges, gilded edges, and deckled edges.[[File:Wuthering Heights Special Edition.jpg|thumb|276x276px|A special edition of ''Wuthering Heights'' by Emily Brontë featuring gold gilded page edges.<ref>“Wuthering Heights Special Edition.” ''Amazon'', 19 Dec. 2023, [https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Wuthering-Heights-Special-Signature-Editions/dp/1454952962 www.amazon.com/-/he/Wuthering-Heights-Special-Signature-Editions/dp/1454952962].</ref>]] | ||
the most popular type of decorated book pages, they are not the only type of decoration. Some of the most popular types of decoration include sprayed edges, gilded edges, and deckled edges. [[File:Wuthering Heights Special Edition.jpg|thumb|276x276px|A special edition of ''Wuthering Heights'' by Emily Brontë featuring gold gilded page edges.<ref>“Wuthering Heights Special Edition.” ''Amazon'', 19 Dec. 2023, [https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Wuthering-Heights-Special-Signature-Editions/dp/1454952962 www.amazon.com/-/he/Wuthering-Heights-Special-Signature-Editions/dp/1454952962].</ref>]] | |||
=== Sprayed edges === | === Sprayed edges === | ||
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Gilded edges are created by applying a thin layer of metallic foil to the outer book edges with heat and pressure. As mentioned previously, gilded edges used to be created with gold leaf. However, gold leaf can become expensive, and "modern techniques allow a wide range of metallic and matte colours," so there is no need to use it.<ref>Xia, Leo. “A Simple Guide to Gilded Edges in Printing.” ''Lion Paper Products'', 8 Oct. 2025, [https://www.lionpaper-istyle.com/post/guide-to-gilded-edges www.lionpaper-istyle.com/post/guide-to-gilded-edges]. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.</ref> Gilding also protects pages from dust and moisture, making it a good option for books that get handled frequently, or books that are meant to last a very long time.[[File:Deckle-edge.jpg|thumb|275x275px|A closeup image of a book with deckled edges.<ref name=":2" />]] | Gilded edges are created by applying a thin layer of metallic foil to the outer book edges with heat and pressure. As mentioned previously, gilded edges used to be created with gold leaf. However, gold leaf can become expensive, and "modern techniques allow a wide range of metallic and matte colours," so there is no need to use it.<ref>Xia, Leo. “A Simple Guide to Gilded Edges in Printing.” ''Lion Paper Products'', 8 Oct. 2025, [https://www.lionpaper-istyle.com/post/guide-to-gilded-edges www.lionpaper-istyle.com/post/guide-to-gilded-edges]. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.</ref> Gilding also protects pages from dust and moisture, making it a good option for books that get handled frequently, or books that are meant to last a very long time.[[File:Deckle-edge.jpg|thumb|275x275px|A closeup image of a book with deckled edges.<ref name=":2" />]] | ||
=== Deckled edges === | === Deckled edges === | ||
Deckled edges, also called feathered edges, refer to book pages that have been cut imperfectly. Most pages today are all cut to be the same size, with straight edges. Deckled edges, however, have a rough, handmade look to them, and are reminiscent of a time when rough page edges were the norm.<ref name=":2">“Deckled Paper Edges for Your Book.” ''PrintNinja'', 19 Mar. 2020, [https://printninja.com/printing-resource-center/printing-options/book-services/specialty-paper-options/custom-edges/deckled-edges/ printninja.com/printing-resource-center/printing-options/book-services/specialty-paper-options/custom-edges/deckled-edges/]. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.</ref> They have no purpose besides aesthetics. | [[Deckle Edge|Deckled edges]], also called feathered edges, refer to book pages that have been cut imperfectly. Most pages today are all cut to be the same size, with straight edges. Deckled edges, however, have a rough, handmade look to them, and are reminiscent of a time when rough page edges were the norm.<ref name=":2">“Deckled Paper Edges for Your Book.” ''PrintNinja'', 19 Mar. 2020, [https://printninja.com/printing-resource-center/printing-options/book-services/specialty-paper-options/custom-edges/deckled-edges/ printninja.com/printing-resource-center/printing-options/book-services/specialty-paper-options/custom-edges/deckled-edges/]. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.</ref> They have no purpose besides aesthetics. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
<references /> | |||
[[Category:Glossary]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:53, 5 December 2025
The term decorative edges refers to book page edges that have been painted, cut, engraved, or otherwise embellished, usually for purely aesthetic purposes.
History of decorative edges
Decorative book edges are very popular today, but they are not a modern invention. In the Middle Ages, books were considered luxury items, and were very expensive. The books were bound and decorated elaborately with expensive materials like gold and silver, and were filled with colorful illustrations and calligraphy.[1] However, some of these decorations were also practical. Originally, sprayed edges (also known as "spredges"), were used to identify books. Instead of the title being on the spine of the book like it is today, it was painted onto the page side and books were stored on shelves with the page side out. Later in the 1500s, book titles began to be put on the spine instead. However, this did not stop scribes from adding embellishments onto the pages. Gilded pages, or edges painted with gold leaf, were popular for Bibles. Besides looking nice, gilded edges made books easier to wipe dust from.[2]
In the sixteenth century, Cesare Vecellio, a Venetian painter, began to paint detailed scenes on book pages. These were watercolor paintings[4] that usually depicted pastoral scenes, mythological figures, or decorative patterns.[2] These were called "fore-edge paintings," and could only be seen when the book was completely closed. These were not especially popular at the time. A royal bookbinder named Samuel Mearne invented another kind of fore-edge painting in the 1660s. Rather than painting on the outer edge of the pages, Mearne painted on the inner edge.[2] These paintings were not able to be seen when the book was closed, but only when the pages were fanned out.[4]
Fore-edge paintings served a functional purpose as well as an aesthetic one. Book pages were prone to yellowing and crumbling before the invention of acid-free paper. However, gilding and fore-edge paintings helped protect books from disintegrating.[2] Decorated page edges no longer have a functional purpose, but they have still risen in popularity over the past few years. Many special editions of books have sprayed or gilded edges, and the standard paperback editions of some books automatically come with sprayed edges.
Types of decorated edges
Although sprayed edges are the most popular type of decorated book pages, they are not the only type of decoration. Some of the most popular types of decoration include sprayed edges, gilded edges, and deckled edges.
Sprayed edges
Sprayed edges, or "spredges," are "a decoration applied to the outer edges of book pages using a variety of methods such as airbrush paint spraying, digital printing, stenciling, or hand-painting."[2] Most of the time, sprayed edges are a solid color, but designs have also become more popular.
Gilded edges
Gilded edges are created by applying a thin layer of metallic foil to the outer book edges with heat and pressure. As mentioned previously, gilded edges used to be created with gold leaf. However, gold leaf can become expensive, and "modern techniques allow a wide range of metallic and matte colours," so there is no need to use it.[8] Gilding also protects pages from dust and moisture, making it a good option for books that get handled frequently, or books that are meant to last a very long time.
Deckled edges
Deckled edges, also called feathered edges, refer to book pages that have been cut imperfectly. Most pages today are all cut to be the same size, with straight edges. Deckled edges, however, have a rough, handmade look to them, and are reminiscent of a time when rough page edges were the norm.[9] They have no purpose besides aesthetics.
Notes
- ↑ Minneapolis Institute of Art. “Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts.” Artsmia, 2021, new.artsmia.org/programs/teachers-and-students/teaching-the-arts/art-in-context/medieval-illuminated-manuscripts.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Whiteley, Imogen. “Essay: A History of the Sprayed Edge.” Faber, 23 June 2025, www.faber.co.uk/journal/essay-a-history-of-the-sprayed-edge/?srsltid=AfmBOoqv1lSJnpyu0OPGziMXHNkyFPBk7xR2N1nczDl-3Uy2eY7Mue76. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
- ↑ Virginia Museum of History & Culture. “Fore-Edge Painting.” Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 2024, virginiahistory.org/learn/fore-edge-painting.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Rogiest, Peter. "Annotated Dictionary of Fore-Edge Painting Artists and Binders; the Fore-Edge Paintings of Miss C. B. Curie with a Catalogue Raisonné." Art Libraries Journal, vol. 39, no. 2, 2014, pp. 49-51. ProQuest, http://libgateway.susqu.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/annotated-dictionary-fore-edge-painting-artists/docview/1518507408/se-2.
- ↑ Illumicrate [@illumicrate]. "Percy Jackson and the Olympians Special Edition Reprint." Instagram, 26 November 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DRhjDarkwpN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link. Accessed 5 December 2025.
- ↑ “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda 10th Anniversary Deluxe Limited Edition.” Amazon, 2025, www.amazon.com/Sapiens-Agenda-Anniversary-Deluxe-Limited/dp/0063443473.
- ↑ “Wuthering Heights Special Edition.” Amazon, 19 Dec. 2023, www.amazon.com/-/he/Wuthering-Heights-Special-Signature-Editions/dp/1454952962.
- ↑ Xia, Leo. “A Simple Guide to Gilded Edges in Printing.” Lion Paper Products, 8 Oct. 2025, www.lionpaper-istyle.com/post/guide-to-gilded-edges. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 “Deckled Paper Edges for Your Book.” PrintNinja, 19 Mar. 2020, printninja.com/printing-resource-center/printing-options/book-services/specialty-paper-options/custom-edges/deckled-edges/. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.
