-A Few Explanations-

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.

Quantity
     Please note: minimum quantities that we print are, 300 hard back or 1000 paperback.  

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.

Trim 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.

Binds On
     What side does your book bind on?  Where is the inner seam?  Most books bind on the long side.  In other words, a book that is 6 x 9 is 6 inches across and 9 inches tall binds on the 9 inch side.

Number of Half Tones
     A half tone is a photograph.  How many photographs are in your book?  Photographs should be supplied to us exactly the size you want printed and placed on the page.

Number of Line Illustrations
    A line illustration is exactly that:  an illustration composed of lines, such as a map or pen and ink sketch.  They should be supplied in their exact size and placed on the page.

MARGINS 

Margins
     What size do you wish your margins to be?  Margins are the blank paper between the text and the edge of the page.  Most books have a one inch margin on the left (binding) side of the page and one inch on the right side of the page.  The top and bottom margins are usually an inch or more.  The minimum margin is ½ inch all the way around, but this results in a crowded page.  If in doubt ask us to center all ways – always a safe choice.

     Margins aren't really difficult.  If you are preparing type for a book that will be 6x9, a good image area, the area used for text would be 4x7, thus leaving a one inch margin on all sides.  By measuring the size of the text and knowing the size of your book, it's easy for you to determine how much margin you have allowed.
 

Bleed Pages
     A bleed page is a page where the copy or printed area runs to the edge of the page.  Bleed pages are an additional cost as bleed pages must be printed oversized and then cut down so that the edge of the page cuts through the image area.  If possible, avoid bleed pages as they are expensive. 

Copy
    Copy is the material that you give to us.  We make printing plates from this material and print your book.  We print only from hard copy - that is, actual pages, not disks.  This way you know exactly what you are getting.  In short, what you send us is an exact mock-up of what you will receive as printed copies.

PRINTING

Printing
     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.

PAPER

Paper
     We suggest 50# Glatfelter as an excellent paper choice.  This is an economical acid-free paper with a theoretical life of 300+ years, which we use for most Broadfoot Publishing Company books.  It meets all standards for paper.  Glatfelter is off-white, which most people find more pleasing and easier on the eye than pure white 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. 

BINDING

Binding
     For hardbacks we suggest Smythsewn Casebind.  For short runs, under 500 copies, we offer symthsewn or glued bindings.  In shorter runs glued bindings are considerably less expensive and contrary to earlier glued binding those of today hold up well.

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

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.
 

Endsheet Material
     80# natural is a good choice.  It is easier on the eye than white, but the choice is yours.  Endsheets may also be textured, of different weights, and printed.

Reinforce First and Last Signature
     The endpapers hold the book together and 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; 7 x 10 volumes if over 600 pages; and 6 x 9 volumes if over 800 pages.

DUST JACKET

Dust Jacket
     The dust jacket is the folded piece of paper, often colorful, that is wrapped around the outside of a book.  It is not necessary, but it protects and advertises the volume.  However, the same purpose may be served by a decorative binding.  See Stamping, Panels, etc.  You can provide camera ready copy for your dust jacket or we can compose the jacket to the proper size using your material.

     We suggest printing 50 extra dust jackets.  This is an excellent idea born of many years of experience.  If your book has a dust jacket, you will find some 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.

Coating:  We suggest that dust jackets be coated with ultra-violet – a thin film – to prevent smudging and wear.

Paperback Cover
     You can provide camera ready copy for your cover or we can compose it for you.

STAMPING

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.

Foil 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.

Stamped Panels:  Colored panels on the cover of a book are decorative and attractive.  If you know you want panels, spell it out.  If you have never heard of panels but think the idea is interesting, we'll be glad to send you a volume that has panels.  Stamped panels are not expensive and add quite a bit to the looks of a book.

Headbands – Footbands
     These are the small strips of colored cloth at the top and bottom of a book spine.  The head is the top one and the foot is the bottom one.  Headbands are strictly decorative and serve no functional purpose.  They are, however, the mark of a quality book, and since they cost little – approximately five cents per volume, we usually use them.  We color coordinate the headbands with the binding so that they complement one another.  Unless you have a specific choice for headbands, we suggest you let us choose and match them.

PROOFS

Proofs for Approval
      Proofs, often called blue lines, are copies of the printing plates for your book.  If you look at a proof, you can tell exactly what your book will look like.  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.

SHRINKWRAPPING

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

PACKAGING

Packaging
     If your books will be sent individually by mail, we suggest bulk packing in standard cartons.  If your books are to be mailed individually we suggest individual shipping cartons.

SHIPPING

Shipping
     Hopefully self explanatory.

______________________________

Printing books isn't complicated, it just seems that way. 

Call if you have questions or need explanations - everyone does. 

1-910-686-4816

Fax:
1-910-686-4452

[email protected]
 

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