Reproduction and binding
Theses should be word-processed and good printing quality is essential. If there is a top copy this should contain the best photographic prints (if any), as this copy will eventually be placed in the University Library.
Print & Design Solutions provides a thesis printing and binding service using a 'fastback' binding system. All theses are bound in black PVC covers, with inner card at front and back. Details (e.g. name of student, title of thesis and date of submission) are gold foiled onto the spine of the document. There is an option to personalise the front cover of the thesis in the same method. It is recommended that 100gsm A4 paper is used (although 80gsm is acceptable). The maximum thickness of a bound volume is 35 mm with covers (or 32 mm without covers). Therefore if the unbound copy of a student´s thesis is more than 32 mm thick, the thesis will have to be bound into two volumes. Where two volumes or more are required, normal practice is for the bibliography and/or appendices to form the second volume. In such cases, the thesis will require two title pages, which specify `Volume 1´ and `Volume 2´ respectively; however only one contents page and one Access to Thesis form is required (both should appear in Volume 1). If amendments are required after the oral examination has been held, volumes can be rebound by Print & Design Solutions following the insertion of new pages (RE bind cost applies). Print & Design Solutions also offers a hard-back binding service. The cover can be personalised but the spine cannot. Students should give some consideration to the length of the thesis title, as there are limitations on the amount of text that can be added to the thesis spine.
Before submitting work for binding, students are advised to make sure that the material is in good order, as pages are bound strictly in the order in which they are delivered. Items for rebinding should have the new pages inserted by the author. Only A4 size pages are accepted by Print & Design Solutions. Binding work is usually completed within 48 hours of acceptance. However, at times when many graduate students are submitting theses, particularly at Easter and from late July to early November, demand may be such that it may not be possible to complete all work within 48 hours. Students are advised to present their work in good time for binding or alteration. Under certain circumstances Print & Design Solutions provides a same day/24 hour service; however this incurs an extra charge per copy. Further information can be found on the Print & Design Solutions website.