Abstract: A method for preparing sheet material (10, 80) to be used for a page of a book comprises forming—in essentially an even sheet material (10, 80) adapted for use in a modern printing method in which the sheet material (10, 80) runs through a set of cylinders and/or rolls—at least one hinge area (18), extending for a distance (L, K+L) from the edge (14) of the sheet material (10, 80) that is intended as the binding edge of a book, towards the center of the sheet material (10, 80), by making, in the hinge area (18) of the sheet material (10, 80), several weakenings (11) that are parallel to the edge (14), are adjacent to each other and are located at increasing distances with respect to each other from the edge of the sheet material (10, 80) intended as the binding edge of a book, by making the weakenings (11): a) without piercing the sheet material (10, 80) and without essentially removing fibers from the sheet material (10, 80) in the hinge area (18), and b) in such a way that at least some of the weakenings (1