endpaper

Endpaper, also called endleaf, is the sheet or pair of leaves that forms the inside surfaces of a book’s covers and helps bind the book block to the covers. An endpaper typically includes a paste-down, which is the portion glued to the inside of the cover, and a free endpaper, which is the leaf that is attached to the first or last page of the book block. The front and back ends serve to secure the binding and provide a finished interface between the pages and the cover.

Endpapers can be plain or decorative. Common varieties include solid colors, patterns, or marbled designs, and they may be chosen to complement the binding or the overall design of the edition. In higher-quality or special editions, endpapers are selected for aesthetic effect and can feature illustrations, textures, or printed artwork. In some bindings a single sheet is folded to create both front and back endpapers, while in others separate sheets are used for each end.

In terms of function, endpapers help distribute stress when the book is opened, contribute to the alignment and rigidity of the binding, and provide an aesthetically pleasing transition from the cover to the page block. They also offer a surface for inscriptions, library marks, or archival notes in certain contexts.

Historically, endpapers have been a standard element of many bound books since early modern times and remain common in contemporary bindings, including cloth, leather, and case-bound editions. The choice of endpaper material and design can influence the perceived quality and style of a book.