Book Printing Guidelines - Several Things To Ask Your Printer

If you are writing a novel and have elected to publish the books traditionally (utilizing an offset technique), you'll more likely sending out Requests for Quotations (or "RFQ") to several book printers. Before doing this, it may be useful to become familiar with a bit about each book printer, since the resulting quoted price is closely determined by the equipment they use. Any deviation from their normal machine processes can lead to an increase in your quote. Be sure to ask the subsequent questions just before publishing your RFQ:

1. "Exactly what is the standard signature page number?"

Book printers have various signature page counts. Even though printers usually can produce in smaller page increments (page counts divisible by 8, as an example) you're going to get the best cost if your page number adheres to their standard signature -- ordinarily 24 or 32 pages. You should adjust your print-ready documents to stick to their signature count.

2. "Exactly what type of method are you gonna be utilizing in order to print my novel?"

Several simple varieties of devices -- a web printing press and a sheet-fed printer -- are definitely the most popular. Web presses are normal for greater runs (4,000+ books), and sheet fed printers are used for shorter runs. Both devices could have different signature page counts, but the resulting novel is often the same. Digital presses are generally acceptable for extremely small runs (five-hundred or fewer) even so the price per novel will likely be high, along with the quality and printing uniformity may not be as good as with a traditional press.

3. "What precisely would be the cost variances for different volume orders?"

Ordinarily your RFQ permits the quote of different quantities of novels. As an example, they may quote you on 1000, 2500 and 5000 books. You will see that the price per novel decreases when the quantity raises. Determined by lots of factors (together with your estimated list price), you should try to find the book's cost under $5.00 a book for a standard paperback.

4. "What is the least expensive paper, cover card, trim measurement, and so on.?"

Trim sizes are very standard (for instance 5.5" x 8.5"). If your book has a nonstandard finished size, the novel cost goes up. Most likely your printer will have a variety of stock and cover stocks, and unless your book needs a particular sort of stock, it is far better make use of exactly what the printer can get for the cheapest price.

5. "Do you offer discount rates?"

A vital (and frequently forgotten) question is whether or not the printing producer will offer you a price reduction if a number of criteria are met. One example is, if you choose to print after a month of their choosing (when their incoming order placed are low), or are produce multiple books with them simultaneously, they might provide you with a percentage off the RFQ for the overall job. While discounts are not always offered, it never hurts to enquire, especially if you have worked with the same printer multiple times.

Printers are often incredibly understanding and will be pleased to answer these questions sometimes before the RFQ or on a RFQ itself. For instance, chances are you'll opt to request "Please estimate me on the cheapest page count in between 200 and 350 pages for the following volumes..." and they'll assist you with getting the best value for your money.