omhæfte

Omhæfte is a Danish term used in publishing to describe a book edition bound with a soft cover, i.e., a paperback edition. The word combines om- with hæfte, where hæfte denotes a booklet or pamphlet and om- signals a binding or format distinction. In bibliographic descriptions, a work published in omhæftet form is typically presented as an omhæftet udgave, in contrast to an indbundet eller hardcover edition.

In practice, omhæftet editions are usually cheaper to produce and purchase than hardcover editions and are common for mass-market releases, reissues, or reprints aimed at broader audiences. The binding is typically a flexible cover with the pages glued to a spine, rather than a rigid, sewn or nailed hardcover binding. The term can also function as a verb: at omhæfte et værk means to publish it in paperback form or to reissue it as an omhæftet edition.

Usage notes include that omhæfte is primarily a Danish publishing term and is less common in other languages, where equivalents like paperback or softcover are used. In bibliographies, you may see references to an omhæftet udgave to indicate the format rather than the content. Related terms include hårdbind (hardcover binding) and hæfte (pamphlet or booklet), which reflects the contrast between binding styles.