Guidelines for Printing

Answers to Common Book Printing Questions

[This numbered listing matches the questions on the “Request for Free Book Printing Quotation]

1. Author/Title If you have decided on a title for your publication, put it down. If not, we will identify your book by your last name.

2. Book Size This is the finished size of your book. The most economical trim sizes are 8 ½ x 5 ½, 6 x 9, 7 x 10 and 8 ½ x 11. However, we can print any size.

3. Page Count Put down the total number of pages in your book including any blank pages and/or photographs, etc. In this case, page does not mean a sheet of paper. A 100 page book has 100 pages and 50 sheets of paper. Books are printed in minimum units of 8 pages so round off your page count so that it is divisible by 8.

4. Quantity The number of copies you want. Our minimum quantities are 250 copies in hardback and 1,000 copies in paperback. Due to the vagarities in printing, quantities can vary + or - 10%. We will deduct or add to your bill accordingly. If you must have a certain number of copies please so note.

5. Job Materials We prefer to receive the file as a PDF. Also provide a copy of your application file, usually MSWord. If your file is in another program, please call us on compatibility of your program. You may include black and white pictures in your book for no extra printing charge. Black and white photos need to be 300 dpi in tif or jpeg format for good quality printing. All graphics must be included with the file at their actual size and placement. Line illustrations should be between 400-1200 dpi at their actual size and placement.

6. Ink Please indicate the ink color which is to be used for your book (Black 99.9% of the time). If you are using colors other than black, please provide Pantone color numbers or an example of the colors you wish to use. A 4-color process means the work will be in full color.

7. Text Stock Two good options here: 50# Smooth White is an excellent paper choice. This is an economical acid-free paper with a theoretical life of 300+ years. For most Broadfoot Publishing Company books, we use 55# Natural Offset as an excellent off-white, which many people find more pleasing and easier on the eye than pure white paper. Both papers meet all standards for paper.

If you have other paper specifications or wish photographs printed on enameled paper, we will be glad to incorporate this information into your estimate.

8. Proofs Your PDF can be used as a proof copy. For straightforward books, there should be no need for a proof. This assumes the pages are numbered and the book is to be printed in numerical order, in which case it’s up to us to keep them in order. However, if you’re paranoid or have particular concerns, you might want proofs. You can get proofs for the first signature (the first 32 pages) or the entire book. Proofs are advised if you have illustrations or drawings which are of questionable reproduction quality. Do not plan on using proofs for a final revision of your volume. Changes at this stage are expensive –expensive – expensive.

If you’d like a proof of a specific page or pages, please check “other” and be specific. For paperback covers and dust jackets, you don’t have a choice. For these items we have learned to provide proofs as both categories can be problem areas. Proofs, for black and white pages, are approximately $1.50 per page depending on the size of the book. Color proofs cost more.

9. Please refer to number 5.

10. Hard Cover Cloth Book cloth comes in three grades: A, B and C. Quality is the reversed of school marks. C cloth is extra heavy and A cloth is for light duty. We suggest B grade cloth. It wears and looks well. We can bind in many colors and will be glad to send a cloth swatch book so that you may choose a cloth. The cost of A, B and C cloth varies only a few cents per volume. Your cover can also be a lithocase (decorative binding), which is a glossy cover that is glued to the cover of your book. This is recommended if you want a color cover and no dust jacket. Call and we will send you examples of cover diagrams.

11. Reinforce First and Last Signature Endpapers hold the book together; reinforcing really means that we put a piece of gauze along the inner fold. This prevents the book from tearing out of the binding. Reinforcing a volume costs but a few cents and can make a large difference in durability. For volumes subject to heavy use, we suggest reinforcing 8 ½ x 11 volumes if over 700 pages.

12. Stamping Stamping is the printing on the cover of a book. For stamping you will need to provide a dummy or mock-up of what you would like. Unless you have done so, we will set the type for your cover stamping. Most books have the title and author stamped on the spine, often the front cover of the book is also stamped. We will provide a PDF file for your approval.

13. Stamping Color Gold is commonly used though stamping may be in any color: black, red, blue, etc. Stamping is an area that usually requires some communication. If you’re not sure how to stamp your book, give us a call.

14. Endsheet Material 80# natural or white are good choices. Match to your text stock (paper selection) in #7 above. Endsheets may also be textured, of different weights, different colors, and printed.

15. Headbands – Footbands These small strips of colored cloth at the top and bottom of a book spine are strictly decorative, but they are the mark of a quality book. Since they cost little we use them, color coordinated with the binding. Unless you have a specific choice for headbands, we suggest you let us choose and match them.

16. Dust Jackets Dust jackets are not necessary, but they do protect and advertise the volume. However, the same purpose may be served by a decorative binding. You can provide a PDF or camera ready copy for your dust jacket or we can compose the jacket using your material. Call and we will send you examples of dust cover diagrams to assist you with the jacket design. We suggest printing 50 extra dust jackets. Some dust jackets will become wrinkled, torn, or smudged, and extras will come in handy. Dust jackets are also excellent promotional handouts and are useful for constructing advertising displays.

17. Refer to number 8.

18. Perfect Bound For paperback we offer standard glued binding. If your binding is stapled through the middle or a comb binding (plastic spirals) such as cookbooks use, please spell out your wants under “other.”

19. Please refer to number 5.

20. Please refer to number 6.

21. Cover Stock 10 pt is the most common stock used for covers. You will need to decide if you want your book to be glossy or matte lamination. Glossy covers are shiny and matte covers are less shiny. The UV coating helps protect your cover against wear and tear.

22. Shrinkwrapping A must - which costs only about $ .20 per book. Individual shrink wrapping keeps books clean, safe from moisture/dirt, and eliminates wear and tear from the books rubbing against each other in the box.

Additional Information Please list any criteria you request which we have not listed, such as indexing.

Important Notes For Book Printing:

if needed).

• Please print your hard copy from the PDF file and proof from that copy.

• Corrections cannot be made to a PDF file, so if you have corrections to make you must go back to the Word file, make the corrections and make a new PDF file to print from.

• Make a copy of your final PDF file on a CD and label it with the book name and your last name and date.

• If your file is in a program other than MS Word, call us to check on compatibility of your program.

• You may include black and white pictures in your book for no extra printing charge. Black and white photos need to be 300 dpi in tif or jpeg format for good quality printing.

• (Color dust jackets are separate.)

Printing books isn’t complicated, it just seems that way. Get in touch

if you have questions or need explanations – lots do!

910-686-4816 or Fax: 910-686-4452

www.broadfootpublishing.com

Broadfoot Publishing Company

1907 Buena Vista Circle