Creating Job Lots

Grouping Similar Material

Each shipment sent to the Bindery is typically comprised of multiple “job lots”. A job lot is a grouping of material that requires the same binding product, the same preparation level and the same return date. Grouping similar material together into job lots facilitates the binding process, enables efficiencies and lowers cost.

For example, in a given shipment, all of the serial volumes to be case (buckram) bound, requiring standard preparation and due to be returned in two weeks would be grouped together into a job lot. This job lot would be categorized as “Buck Serials, prep, 2 weeks” in the shipment record or printing requisition form. The following chart provides guidelines to determine the optimal job lot size to benefit from economies of scale:

Binding ProductMinimum # BooksOptimal # BooksMaximum # Books
Buckram Serials2575-125150
LC Serials2575-125150
Cloth Monographs2575-150200
Rebinds2575-125150
New Case Only2575-125150
Mylar Binds25100-200250
Dissertations2575-125150
Pamphlets50200-500600

Library Control Number

Every job lot you create must be assigned a unique library control number, which should be indicated on your printing requisition or shipment record form. Every communication received from the Bindery pertaining to this job lot will reference your control number and will facilitate the tracking of the items within it.

Foil Stamping

For material that requires foil stamping on the book cover (case bound serial, limited circulation bind, cloth monograph, rebind, new case only, thesis, preservation photocopy), you will need to provide the bindery with cover lettering and/or binding instructions. There are several methods for providing this information:

  1. Complete a printed binding slip
    • Binding slips are available for download from our Web site. Fill out a binding slip for each volume to be bound and attach the binding slip to the appropriate volume.
    • If large quantities are required, cases of printed binding slips may be ordered from Library Bindery Services.
    • Campuses using III or LARS software to prepare their bindery shipments can print binding slips directly from their system. Blank binding slips for your printer are available from the bindery.
  2. Create a digital file from III software (14 Import)
    • In addition to creating a printed binding slip, you can also send a digital file from III directly to the bindery. This helps decrease data entry time at the bindery and reduces bindery costs. To activate this function, contact the library III liaison on your campus.
  3. Create a digital file from LARS
    • For serials and/or monographs, digital files can be created using the LARS software, which can be provided by the bindery at no cost to the library. Although it is not necessary to submit a binding slip for volumes created in LARS, it is necessary to indicate the assigned lot/item # on each book - either on the cover of the first issue of a serial set, or on the cover or title page of a monograph. The bindery uses this information to cross-reference that book to its corresponding LARS file.

LARS software can also be configured to print a binding slip which will include the lot/item #, thus eliminating the need to mark the book. Processing LARS digital files is the MOST EFFICIENT AND LEAST COSTLY option for the bindery to process your cloth lettering requirements.