What kind of paper is used for the text?

Our “house sheet” is 60# white Weyerhaeuser Husky Offset for text, which we order in large quantities, resulting in savings for you. For offset books, we can also special-order other colors and weights upon request.

What kind of paper is used for the cover?

For softcover books we use white 10 point C1S, which is a heavy weight stock coated on one side (C1S). Other papers are also available; check with us for details. If the book is hardcover, the cover can be foil stamped or printed.

How is the cover protected?

The covers are laminated. This film protects the ink from scuffing and can give the book either a glossy or matte finish.

How long does it take?

If your book is already designed and ready for printing, it takes approximately 4-6 weeks to complete. If formatting and designing are required, allow an additional 2-6 weeks.

Quantity and Cost

One of the first questions you might ask is, “How much will it cost to print my book?” The answer depends largely on how many copies you want. In general, the more copies printed, the less each one costs. That is because setup expenses are the same whether we print one book or thousands. Therefore, if the cost of setup is spread over many books, the cost per book will be lower.

What size should it be?

Almost any size is possible, but some sizes are more efficient and less expensive. To get the most for your money, keep your book to our standard trim sizes. For example, if you want a 7 x 9 book rather than a 6 x 9 it would be priced at the 8.5 x 11 size. The size of your book is sometimes dependent on its subject matter. 5.5 x 8.5 or 6 x 9 are the sizes most often used. A short column width makes the book very readable, easy to handle, ship and display. A 6 x 9 book offers more space for photos, but for books with many photos, maps or illustrations, 8.25 x 10.75 (digital) or 8.5 x 11 (offset) is a better size. If printed offset, your book will have 16–page signatures, so your total page count needs to be divisible by 16.