FIELD The present invention relates to books and similar literature material. BACKGROUND

Lift-a-flap books typically comprise "paste-on" lift-up flaps glued over cut-outs in multiple pieces of board that are glued together.

Existing lift-a-flap books have various disadvantages. Typically, the pasted-on lift-up flaps are cut from a separate blank, and manually glued to the multiple pieces of board adjacent to the cut-outs. This results in a finished book which is time consuming, labour intensive and expensive to manufacture.

In this context, there is a need for lift-a-flap books that address or at least partially ameliorate the above disadvantages. SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention provides a sheet, for a book viewable by a viewer, including fold lines and panels defined by the fold lines; the panels including one or more image-carrying panels and two or more

presentation panels; each of the image-carrying panel(s) respectively carrying an image; each of one or more of the presentation panels being a respective opening-carrying panel including an opening; the sheet being one of folded and foldable about the fold lines to be a signature for the book and position the presentation panels to be viewed by the viewer; and the opening-carrying panel(s) in front of the image-carrying panel(s) such that the opening(s) are in front of the image(s).

The sheet is preferably configured to define at least two leaves, in which case each of the leaves preferably has a front defined by one of the presentation panels and arranged to be presented to the viewer; and a rear bondable to a rear of a similar signature whereby similar signatures are serially connectable to form a book block.

Most preferably, at least one of the rears carries adhesive actuable, from an inert state in which the adhesive is clean and dry, to form a bond.

The sheet may be so folded or foldable to position each respective one of the opening-carrying panel(s) in front of a respective corresponding one of the image- carrying panel(s) from which the respective one of the opening-carrying panel(s) is separated by at least two of the fold lines such that the image, of the respective corresponding one of the image-carrying panel(s), and a front of the respective one of the opening-carrying panel(s) are both on a front of the sheet.

Fronts of the presentation panels are preferably printed by a printing process, such as offset printing.

The image is preferably printed by another printing process, such as digital printing. Another aspect of the invention provides the sheet being folded along the fold lines to be the signature.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method, of forming a signature for a book viewable by a viewer, including folding a sheet; the book being viewable by a viewer; the sheet including fold lines and panels defined by the fold lines; the panels including one or more image-carrying panels and two or more

presentation panels; each of the image-carrying panel(s) respectively carrying an image; each of one or more of the presentation panels being a respective opening-carrying panel including an opening; the folding being about the fold lines and to position the presentation panels to be viewed by the viewer; and the opening-carrying panel(s) in front of the image-carrying panel(s) such that the opening(s) are in front of the image(s).

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of forming a book including bringing together two or more signatures.

The method may include adding a cover. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of forming a book including adding a cover to at least one of the signatures.

The foregoing methods may include actuating an adhesive. Preferably, the actuating substantially consists of pressing. Another aspect of the invention provides a sheet, for forming a literature item viewable by a viewer, including fold lines and panels defined by the fold lines; the panels including one or more image-carrying panels and one or more

presentation panels; each of the image-carrying panel(s) respectively carrying an image; each of the presentation panel(s) being a respective opening-carrying panel including an opening; the sheet being one of folded and foldable about the fold lines to position the presentation panels to be viewed by the viewer; the opening-carrying panel(s) in front of the image-carrying panel(s) such that the openings(s) are in front of the image(s); and each respective one of the opening-carrying panel(s) in front of a respective corresponding one of the image-carrying panel(s) from which the respective one of the opening-carrying panel(s) is separated by at least two of the fold lines such that the image, of the respective corresponding one of the image-carrying panel(s), and a front of the respective one of the opening-carrying panel(s) are both on a front of the sheet.

Another aspect of the invention provides the sheet being folded along the fold lines to be the literature item. Another aspect of the invention provides a method, of forming a literature item viewable by a viewer, including folding a sheet; the sheet including fold lines and panels defined by the fold lines; the panels including one or more image-carrying panels and one or more

presentation panels; each of the image-carrying panel(s) respectively carrying an image; each of the presentation panel(s) being a respective opening-carrying panel including an opening; the folding being about the fold lines and to position the presentation panels to be viewed by the viewer; the opening-carrying panel(s) in front of the image-carrying panel(s) such that the opening(s) are in front of the image(s); and each respective one of the opening-carrying panel(s) in front of a respective corresponding one of the image-carrying panel(s) from which the respective one of the opening-carrying panel(s) is separated by at least two of the fold lines such that the image, of the respective corresponding one of the image-carrying panel(s), and a front of the respective one of the flap-carrying panel(s) are both on a front of the sheet.

Another aspect of the invention provides a book signature comprising folded sheet material forming two central sheets between two outer sheets, wherein the two central sheets each comprise four layers of the folded sheet material and the two outer sheets each comprise two layers of the folded sheet material, and wherein at least one of the central or outer sheets has at least one cut-out forming at least one integral lift-up flap in at least one outer layer of the folded sheet material. Cut-outs with or without integral lift-up flaps may be formed in one, two or three layers of the folded sheet material of one or both of the two central sheets.

The folded sheet material may form six pages, wherein the two central sheets each form two central pages comprising four layers of the folded sheet material, and the two outer sheets each form one outer page comprising two layers of the folded sheet material.

The two central pages formed by the four layers of the two central sheets may each comprise up to three cut-outs with or without integral lift-up flaps formed through up to three layers of the folded material.

Another aspect of the invention provides a pre-cut and pre-creased blank comprising sheet material which is foldable to form the book signature described above.

One side of the blank may have a coating adapted to receive printing ink.

Another aspect of the invention provides a book cover comprising folded sheet material forming two covers hinged to a spine, wherein the two covers each comprise two layers of the folded sheet material and the spine comprises one layer of the folded sheet material.

The book cover may further comprise hinge portions on opposite sides of the spine, wherein the hinge portions each comprise one layer of the folded sheet material.

Another aspect of the invention provides a pre-cut and pre-creased blank comprising sheet material which is foldable to form the book cover described above.

One side of the blank may have a coating adapted to receive printing ink. Another aspect of the invention provides a book comprising at least one book signature described above bound to the book cover described above.

The two outer sheets of the at least one book signature may be respectively glued to the two covers to form four layers of the folded sheet material. The book may further comprise at least two of the book signatures described above bound to one another and the book cover described above.

At least two of the two outer sheets of the least two book signatures may be bound to one another, and at least two other of the two outer sheets of the least two book signatures may be respectively bound to the two covers of the book cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a pre-cut blank for a book signature according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of the blank showing positioning of glue;

Figures 3 to 8 are rear views of the blank (and subsequent book signature) at successive stages of folding to form the book signature;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a pre-cut blank for a book cover according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a plan view of the blank showing positioning of glue;

Figures 1 1 and 12 are perspective views of the blank at successive stages of folding to form the book cover; Figures 13 to 18 are perspective views of the book cover and two book signatures at successive stages of binding to form a lift-a-flap book according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 19 to 21 are perspective views of pages of the lift-a-flap book with different lift-up flaps; and

Figures 22 to 35 are top perspective views of a jig and successive stages of its operation to fold a sheet of material to form a signature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows the front of a pre-cut blank 10a for a book signature 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The blank 10a may be formed from a single piece of foldable sheet material, for example, paper board. The blank 10a may be approximately six times the width and twice the depth of a finished page of the book signature 10. The blank 10a may be pre-cut and pre-creased to form fold lines F (indicated by dashed lines in the figures). Pre-cutting and creasing is the preferred approach, although of course there are other methods by which a fold line may be formed.

The fold lines F are arranged to define central panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, top flaps 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and bottom flaps 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 of the blank 10a. Cutouts with integral lift-up flaps 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 may be provided in one or more of the panels or flaps. For the avoidance of doubt, a "flap" is a form of "panel" as those words are used herein.

The front surface of each of the central panels respectively defines a presentation surface of the finished book. As such, each of the central panels corresponds in size and rectangular shape to the finished page (neglecting that a small proportion of the folded signature may be trimmed away after the signatures have been assembled into a book block). The six central panels are sequentially connected side edge to side edge by fold lines. As will be described, the panels are eventually folded as a concertina fold. Each of the two lengthwise-central panels 16, 18 at each end of the blank 10a carries a respective one of each of the top and bottom flaps. The lengthwise-central two 16, 18 of the central panels do not have top and bottom flaps. Instead, the flaps 26, 32, 38, 44 carried by the central panels 14, 20 outwardly adjacent the panels 16, 18 each carry a respective one of the top flaps 28, 30, 40, 42. The carried flaps 28, 30, 40, 42 sit above and below the central panels 16, 18 and are connected to the laterally adjacent top flap by which they are carried by a vertical fold line, the purpose of which will be described.

The front side of the blank 10a may have a coating adapted to receive printing ink. The coating may, for example, be a polyester thin film, and the printing ink may, for example, be Eco Solvent ink made by Azonprinter. The blank 10a may be printed either before or after form cutting from the foldable sheet material. When the book signature 10 comprises lift-up flaps formed in a single layer of the pages, one side of the blank 10a may be inkjet printed with images, for example using a large-format inkjet printer, before folding and gluing to form the book signature 10. Herein, "image" and similar terms are used in their conventional sense in this art, which sense takes in text and/or drawings and photographs, etc.

When lift-up flaps are formed in two or three layers, both sides of the blank 10a may be inkjet printed with images. The images may comprise personalised images, such as photos, and/or images relating to a predetermined theme or story. The

personalised images may be printed on portions of the blank 10a that underlie the lift- up flaps 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72 when the book signature 10 is formed. The images relating to a predetermined theme or story may be printed on portions of the blank 10a that surround the personalised images, and on the lift-up flaps 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72.

Figure 2 shows positioning of glue on the other (i.e., non-printed) side of the blank 10a. The glue shown in hatched lines may be applied on portions of the blank 10a that surround the lift-up flaps 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72. The glue may, for example, be applied using a screen printing machine where the screen is configured to suit the corresponding arrangement of the lift-up flaps on the blank 10a. The glue may, for example, be heat-activated glue. Alternatively, it may be pressure-activated glue.

The skilled person will appreciate that there are various methods by which the relevant portions of the signature may be bonded. Preferably, selected portions of the sheet of material are made capable of forming a bond by the addition of adhesive, although other forms of treatment are also contemplated. Preferably, the adhesive is an actuable adhesive which has an inert state during which it is clean and dry so that the sheet of material may be printed and folded after the application of the adhesive, and from this inert state is actuable to form a bond. Preferably, the adhesive is a glue actuable by the application of pressure. Most preferably, the adhesive is a contact adhesive. "Printing" and similar terms are used herein to take in a wide variety of processes by which an image (in the broad sense that that word is used herein) may be formed, e.g. the printing may be thermal printing.

For the avoidance of doubt, workable variants of the signature may have adhesive applied to less than the entirety of the relevant surfaces. By way of example, adhesive applied about the periphery of a panel may be sufficient for some applications.

Figures 3 to 8 show the blank 10a at successive stages of folding to form the book signature 10. Figures 2 and 3 show before and after a first folding stage in which flaps 28, 30, 40, 42 are folded inwardly to respectively overlap flaps 26, 32, 38, 44 to form four two-layer flaps 74, 76, 78, 80. During this folding operation, the flap 28 is folded about a "vertical" fold line F ₂ 6 so that its rear face lies against a rear face of the flap 26. For the avoidance of doubt, "vertical" and other directional terms are used herein in relation to the blank and the signature in the same sense that one would conventionally use in relation to the page of book.

The rear faces of the flaps 26, 28 carry glue to facilitate mutual bonding. Each of the flaps 26, 28 internally carries a respective flap 50, 56. The flaps 50, 56 are positioned to be brought into register during this first folding stage. The flaps 50, 56 are hinged to open in mutually different directions. A horizontal fold line F ₇₄ connects the flap 74 to the panel 14. The flap 28 covers most of the rear of the flap 26. The flap 26 extends further vertically away from the fold F ₇₄ than the flap 28 such that portion 26a of the rear of the flap 26 remains exposed after the first folding operation. The folding of other bottom flap 30 and (and related registration of internally carried flaps, etc) is closely analogous to the foregoing discussion in connection with flap 26.

The folding of the top flaps 40, 42 (and related registration of internally carried flaps, etc) is also closely analogous to the foregoing discussion in connection with flap 26, save that the flaps 40, 42 moved during the first operation vertically extend further from the fold lines F ₇₈ , F ₈ o such that portions 40a, 42a of the rears of the flaps 40, 42 remain exposed after the first folding operation.

Figures 3 and 4 show before and after a second folding stage in which:

• flaps 24, 34, 36, 46 are folded inwardly to respectively overlap panels 12, 22 to form two two-layer sheets 82, 84 ; and · the flaps 74, 76, 78, 80 are folded inwardly to respectively overlap panels 14, 20 to form two three-layer sheets 86, 88.

The second folding stage occurs in two parts. Firstly the flaps 36, 78, 46, 80 at the top of the signature are folded downwardly about horizontal fold lines F ₃₆ , F ₇₈ , F ₈ o, F ₆ such that: · (glue-carrying) rears of the flaps 36, 46 lie against (glue-carrying) rears of the panels 12, 22;

• fronts of flaps 78, 80 lie against (glue-carrying) rears of the panels 16, 18; and

• the portions 40a, 42a (Figure 2) are exposed.

Secondly, the flaps 24, 74, 76, 34 at the bottom of the signature are folded upwardly about horizontal fold lines F ₂₄ , F ₇ , F ₇₆ , F ₃ such that: • (glue-carrying) rears of flaps 24, 34 lie against (glue-carrying) rears of the panels 12, 22;

• fronts of the panels 74, 76 lie against (glue-carrying) rears of the panels 14, 20; · (glue-carrying) portions 26a, 32a lie against (glue-carrying) portions 40a, 42a;

• flaps 74, 78 in combination with panel 14 form a three-layer panel 86;

• flaps 66, 74 in combination with panel 20 form a three-layer panel 88; and

• the mutually registered internal flaps 50, 56 are brought into register with the flap 52 internal to the panel 14. The overlap between portions 26a, 40a and the overlap between portions 32a, 42a strengthen the finished book. In contrast, if the free edges of the flaps 74, 78 simply met (so that there was no such overlap), there may well be a noticeable line of weakness running horizontally across the corresponding leaf of the finished book.

A vertical central fold line F _c defines the boundary separating panel 16 from panel 18. Figures 4, 5 and 6 show before, during and after a third folding stage in which the two three-layer panels 86, 88 are folded inwardly, about the vertical fold lines F ₈ 6, F ₈ 8, whilst the panels 82, 84 are folded in the opposite direction about the vertical fold lines F ₈ 2, F ₈₄ such that:

• the three-layer panels 86, 88 to overlap panels 16, 18 to form two four-layer panels 90, 92;

• the fold lines F ₈ 2, F ₈₄ , F _c are substantially coincident;

• each of the panels 82, 84, 90, 92 extends away from the fold F _c ; and

• the panels 90, 92 are substantially co-planar; and • the mutually registered internal flaps 50, 52, 56 are brought into register with an image (not shown) on the rear of the panel 16.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show before, during and after a fourth folding stage in which at least three of the panels 82, 84, 90, 92 are folded about the fold line F _c such that: · fronts of the panels 90, 92 (being the fronts of panels 16,18) lie against each other and are arranged to define an opening of a book;

• fronts of the panels 82, 86 (being the fronts of panels 12, 14) lie against each other and are arranged to define another opening of the book; and

• fronts of the panels 84, 88 (being the fronts of panels 20, 22) lie against each other and are arranged to define another opening of the book.

Figure 22 illustrates a jig 400 to assist with the four folding stages. Figures 23 to 35 are a series of figures illustrating the folding of a signature 10a' similar to the signature 10a.

The jig 400 includes a fixed rectangular base plate 401 of corresponding dimension to the combination of panels 16, 18. For the avoidance of doubt, in this context

"horizontal" is used in its (and other directional terms are used in their) conventional sense, as opposed to the book-like sense used in connection with the signature. For example, the vertical folds F ₈ 6, F ₈ e (Figure 4) correspond in length to the short horizontal edges of the plate 401 . The jig 400 further includes strips 403a, 403b, 403c, 403d which are also immovable. Each of the strips defines a respective extension of a respective one of the four ends of the two long edges of the plate 401. A top surface of each of the strips 403a is substantially co-planar with a top surface of the plate 401 , whereby the plate and strips together define a supporting region for supporting the long central portion of a blank of material. In this example, the supporting region is rectangular of dimension corresponding to the combination of the panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22. Of course, there are other arrangements by which a suitable supporting region may be formed. At each end of this long supporting region is a respective stop 409a, 409b projecting upwardly beyond the supporting region to provide convenient points against which a blank 10 may be registered.

In this example, the plate 401 , strips 403a, 403b, 403c, 403d and stops 409a, 409b are made immovable relative to each other by fixation to an underlying base plate B, although other constructions are possible. By way of example, these immovable components might be parts of a common integral body.

A respective wing 405a, 405b sits at each end of the plate 401 . Each of the wings 405a, 405b is hinged, by a respective hinge arrangement 407a, 407b, to a respective short edge of the plate 401 to pivot upwardly from a position in which the top surface of the wing is substantially co-planar with the supporting region.

Four further wings 41 1 a to 411 d are mounted along the long sides of the supporting region. Each of the wings 41 1 a to 41 1d is pivotally attached to a respective one of the strips 403a to 403d by a respective one of the hinge arrangements 413a to 413d. Each of the wings 41 1 a to 41 1 d is mounted to pivot upwardly from a position in which it projects outwards from the long outer edges of a respective one of the strips 403a to 403d at a shallow upwards inclination.

As an initial step, the blank 10' is placed on the jig 400. The two top flaps, and two bottom flaps, at each end of the signature are supported by the wings 41 1 a to 41 1 d. The other four top flaps (the central top flaps) are left unsupported whereby they may be freely grasped to effect the first folding operation illustrated in Figure 24 and 25. As a two person operation, the folding sequence can be very rapid indeed. With an operator on each side of the jig, the signature can be conveniently and accurately held in position (with the help of stops 409a, 409b). As suggested in Figures 26 and 27, the operators' four hands respectively grasp the four wings 41 1 a to 41 1 d and the two flaps carried by that wing to effect the second folding operation.

The free edge of each of the wings 41 1 a to 41 1 d includes an arcuate cut-out so that when the wings are moved to their closed position (Figure 27) a free edge portion of each of the wings is available as a gripping point by which the wing may be gripped and reopened. Once the wings 41 1 a to 411 d have been reopened, the wings 405a, 405b may be lifted (Figure 28) towards an upright position to initiate the third folding stage. Thereafter, dropping those wings leaves the two major panels at each end of the blank presented for easy hand manipulation to complete the third folding stage (Figures 29 to 33). The folded arrangement resultant from the third folding stage may simply be turned over and folded by hand by a single operator to effect the fourth folding stage (Figures 28 and 29).

The third and fourth folding stages can be efficiently completed by a single operator, leaving the other operator free to stack previously folded signatures, add a cover to that stack and place it in a suitable press, and reach for the next blank. Following this procedure, the cycle time is about one minute to:

• fold the two blanks 10a, 10a' to form two signatures 10, 10';

• stack those signatures and assemble a cover about those signatures.

The finished book signature 10 may comprise six pages (or printable surfaces) in total. The two four-layer panels 90, 92 may each form two central pages, and the two two-layer panels 82, 84 may each form one outer page. Cut-outs with integral lift-up flaps 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 74, 76 may be formed in one, two or three layers of the folded sheet material of both of the two four-layer panels 90, 92. Cut-outs with integral lift-up flaps 48, 72 may be formed in a single layer of both of the two-layer panels 82, 84.

Figure 9 shows a pre-cut blank 100a for a book cover 100 according to an

embodiment of the present invention. The blank 100a may be formed from a single piece of foldable sheet material, for example, paper board. The blank 10a may be pre-cut and pre-creased to form cover panels 102, 104, 106, 108, a spine 1 10 and two hinge portions 1 12, 1 14. One side of the blank 100a may have a coating adapted to receive printing ink. The coating may, for example, be a polyester thin film, and the printing ink may, for example, be Eco Solvent ink made by Azonprinter. The blank 100a may be printed either before or after form cutting from the foldable sheet material. Figure 10 shows positioning of glue on the other (i.e., non-printed) side of the blank 100a. The gluing shown in hatched lines may be applied on the outermost cover panels 102, 108. The glue may, for example, be heat-activated glue. Figure 1 1 shows a folding stage in which cover panels 102, 108 may be folded inwardly to respectively overlap cover panels 104, 106 to form two two-layer covers 1 16, 118. Figure 12 shows the finished book cover 100 with the two-layer covers 1 16, 1 18 respectively hinged to the single-layer spine 1 10 by the single-layer hinge portions 1 12, 1 14. The finished book cover 100 may be UV varnished or cello-sheened.

Figures 13 to 18 show binding of two half book signatures 10 to one another and a book cover 100 to form a lift-a-flap book 200 comprising 14 pages (ie, each book signature 10 comprises six pages, and the cover 100 comprises two pages). Figures 14 and 15 show the two half book signatures 10 being glued to one another to form a single book signature 300 having 12 pages. One of the two-layer outer panels 82 of one of the half book signatures 10 may be glued to overlap one of the two-layer outer sheets 84 of the other half book signature 10 to form a four-layer panel, i.e. a book leaf of the same thickness as the leaves defined by the panels 90, 92. Thus each of the panels 82, 84 is a leaf the rear of which is bondable to the rear of a similar signature, whereby similar signatures are serially connectable to form a book block.

Figure 16 shows positioning of glue over the inside of two-layer covers 1 16, 1 18 of the book cover 100. The glue may, for example, be heat-activated glue. Figure 17 shows the two-layer outer sheets 82, 84 of the book signature 300 glued to the two- layer covers 1 16, 1 18 of the book cover 100. The book cover 100 and book signature 300 may be placed in a heat press as a whole book activating the glue to complete adhesion of laminated board and binding. Of course, a press other than a heat press may be used if the glue is pressure-activated glue. The spine 1 10 and hinge portions 1 12, 1 14 of the book cover 100 may be left unglued to, and hence floating with respect to, the book signature 300 to thereby enable lay flat opening of the cover 100 and individual pages of the book signature 300. The top, bottom and side edges of the pages of the book signature 300 may then be trimmed to size with the book cover 100 to form the finished lift-a-flap book 200. Figures 19 to 21 show the finished lift-a-flap book 200 with lift-up flaps 202, 204, 206 in up to three layers of the four-layer sheets 208, 210 that form the pages of the lift-a- flap book 200. Either the cut-outs or the corresponding lift-flaps 202, 204, 206 may have finger pull portions to aid flap lifting. The flaps 202, 204, 206 are similar to flaps 50, 52, 56 which may be sequentially lifted to reveal the image (not shown) on the rear of the panel 16. As best shown in Figure 21 , the pages of the lift-a-flap book 200 may have panoramic lay flat opening to enable seamless printing across two adjacent pages.

Embodiments of the present invention provide lift-a-flap books formed from two or more single-piece blanks of foldable sheet material with lift-up flaps integrally formed in up to three layers of individual pages. Embodiments of the invention provide advantages of the two main existing methods for making lift-a-flap books. The first of the main existing methods is printed offset and requires flaps stuck on by hand. This means that each flap is required to be printed separately and cut to shape and hand stuck on. Typically on a 14 page book with one flap on each page there would be approximately 24 separate pieces for two flaps per page 34 pieces. The second of the main existing methods is printed offset and made by machine with cardboard laminated, however to get the flaps and printing inside the flaps there are 2.5 parts per page. As a result a typical 14 page book with two flaps on each page would require 29 pieces to complete. As a result, both these methods require specialised equipment, multiple parts and/or hand assembly to complete which makes them impractical for variable print or personalisation. These current methods also cannot produce a book two or three flaps deep.

In contrast, preferred embodiments of the present invention require only three pieces to complete a 14 page book, and do not require a binding machine. As well as being simple in manufacture, the material is produced on mass and pre-glued with heat- (and/or pressure-) activated glue and has more scope for flaps of any shape. Once printed and assembled the book (three parts collated) may be placed in a heat press as a whole book activating the glue to complete adhesion of laminated board and binding. As a result, preferred embodiments of the invention using a digital printer make variable personalisation print possible. It may also be used without flaps for personalised photo book production. Embodiments of the invention may also simplify the production of large volume offset manufacture for lift-a-flap books. In addition, the foldable board material used does not require a special coating to allow printing, and may be printed one or two sides of the board depending on the desired result.

However printing one side only will yield a book with printing on the page and under the flap. Other advantages and uses of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The blank 10a is configured for mutually registered flaps (e.g. flaps 50, 52, 56) to be sequentially opened to reveal an image. The blank 10a' is instead configured for onesided printing. Figure 23 shows the yet to be folded blank 10' face down on the jig 400 so that its rear surface is visible. Each of the fronts of the top flaps 42', 44' carries an image. During folding, the flap 42' is folded about fold line F ₄₂ ' to lie flat against the flap 44' and then the two-layer flap 42', 44' is folded about the fold line F ' to move the image on the front of the flap 42' into register with the flap 20a' formed within the panel 20'. It will be observed that the flap-carrying panel 20' is separated from the image- carrying flap 42' by two fold lines F ₄₂ ', F ₄₄ '.

The three-layer construction including panel 20' and flaps 44', 42' is subsequently folded about the fold line F-is' to bring the image on the front of the flap 44' into register with the flap 18a'. Again, the relevant image-carrying panel, flap 44', is separated from the relevant flap-carrying panel 18' by two fold lines F ₁₈ ', F ₄₄ '.

One-sided printing is highly desirable, especially in the context of mass production runs of substantially identical books.

The described signatures are also highly advantageous in the context of

customisable books. In particular, it is contemplated that each blank be treated with two distinct printing processes. A first of the two printing processes may be a mass production printing process suited to producing large volumes of substantially identical images. By way of example, the first printing process may be offset printing used to produce substantially all of the images applied to the front of the panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22. A second customisable printing process may be applied to produce the images which are hidden by the flaps. By way of example, the second printing process may be digital printing.

Thus preferred forms of the described signatures are well adapted for inclusion in a highly advantageous method of producing a customisable lift-a-flap book. Preferred forms of the book include a scene printed on the front of the main faces using a mass production method, and flaps formed in those faces openable to reveal a customised image. By way of example, a door of the printed scene may be openable to reveal a member of the reader's own family, thus making the printed book a highly desirable gift item. Preferably, the mass printing operation is only on one side of the blank. It is also preferred that the customised printing operations are also on only one side of the blank. Preferably, the mass printing and customised printing operations are on the same side of the blank.

For the purpose of this specification, the word "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and the word "comprises" has a corresponding meaning. The above embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims that follow. By way of example, whilst the invention has been described with reference to a lift-a-flap book, other examples of the invention might take the form of other literature items such as gift cards. Flapless variants are also contemplated, e.g. the described flap-carrying panels could be replaced by flapless opening-carrying panels that serve to frame images carried by other panels.