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A small black block on a section's spine, stepping down the book when gathered.
Also known as: Back mark, Collating mark, Spine step mark
A collation mark is a short black block printed on the folded spine of each section of a book, positioned a little lower on each successive section. When the sections are gathered in the right order the marks form a neat diagonal staircase down the spine of the block; a section out of place or upside down breaks the stair and is visible instantly to somebody glancing along the pile. It is an error-checking device that works at a distance and at speed.
Steps down the spine section by section, so that a correctly gathered book shows a continuous diagonal staircase and a misplaced or inverted section breaks it visibly.
Contexts: News, Technical drawing
Works at a distance and at speed, which is the point: a binder checks a whole pile by glancing along it rather than by opening anything.
Contexts: News, Technical drawing
A short solid rectangle printed in dark ink across the folded edge of a section, each successive section carrying it a little further down the edge.
Both are production marks that survive only until finishing.