Perfect Bound Printing

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The Publishing Xpress 9 Point Book Printing Offer

Why should you print your book with Publishing Xpress? Like all great printers, you’ll get outstanding print quality printed to your exact specs (we offer LOTS of options) at a reasonable price. But we go way above most printers’ standards with our 9 point printing offer:

1 Our prices are really reasonable, but we’ll also give you an additional 20% off your first order. Most printers don’t offer any discounts and many of those that do will cap the discount at a maximum dollar value, usually around $200 or so. We don’t cap the discount — you get a full 20% off your total order value. If your order totals $5,000, you get $1,000 off. And we frequently run sales where you can save on any additional orders. Just fill in your name and email address below to get the 20% discount code.

2 UPS ground shipping is FREE for orders over $399. A couple of online printers also offer free shipping, but most printers charge anywhere from 7% to 20% of your order value just for ground shipping. Just points 1 and 2 will save you 30% to 40%!

3 You’ll be assigned to your own LIVE customer service rep. Our CSRs have years of experience in the book printing industry and will look at your project with a critical eye to make sure you’ll be happy with your project. If your CSR thinks your project will look better with different specs or notices something that doesn’t look quite right, she’ll let you know before we start printing. And the best part? Our CSRs are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST via phone, email, and chat. You’ll be able to talk to a live person when you call in.

4 We take your deadlines seriously. You’ll be asked when you need to receive your order when the order is placed. One of the first things your CSR will do is make sure that your order will get there in time based on the processing speed and delivery method you selected. If not, you will be contacted with options and the cost to get it there on time. Maybe you’ll need to select rush processing (our normal turnaround time is 4 to 6 business days, but we also offer 3 day, 2 day, 1 day, and same day processing) or expedited shipping. Your CSR will let you know the best options to get your order on time. Other printers won’t even bother to ask when you need your order and then will just process your order based on their normal schedule. We take every client’s deadline seriously.

5 Once your order is printed, we’ll post a free digital flipbook of your book and send a link and QR code to you. You can use the flipbook to promote your book on your website or social media. If you wanted to prepare a flipbook of this quality yourself, you would spend $100 or more. Only a couple of other printers provide flipbooks. Click here to see an example.

6 Know what’s better than seeing pictures of our four binding styles (perfect bound, plastic coil, saddle stitch, and wire-o)? Actually holding samples in your hand to decide for yourself what you like. Our free sample package contains a sample of each binding style and a plastic coil book with a sample of each of our paper stocks. It’s an incredible resource when making your printing decisions. A lot of printers don’t offer a sample package or charge a fee. Not Publishing Xpress. Just click here and get our sample package for free.

7 We know our clients aren’t printing experts, but they want an expertly printed book. A lot depends on the files we receive, so we help by offering a free book, The Ultimate Guide to Printing Your Book, Booklet, Catalog, or Magazine. The book contains lots of tips on getting great print quality, how to design your book, and our recommendations on binding styles and whether to print in color or black only. Most printers don’t provide this information or it’s scattered around their website. We put everything in one convenient guide. Click here to download a free copy of the guide.

8 For your book to be taken seriously, it needs to look like it was professionally designed. But if you’re like most self-published authors, you’re probably handling the layout and design in additional to writing your book. That’s why you’ll love our free book design checklist. Everything you should consider to make your book look professional is on the checklist. You’ll be amazed at how much better your book looks after following our checklist. We don’t know of any printer providing this free resource. Click here to download this valuable resource for free.

9 We hope you see all of the advantages of working with Publishing Xpress. To make your decision stress free, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not totally happy with your order, just return it to us and we’ll either reprint your order or issue a full refund, at our discretion. We are often asked how we can give such a generous guarantee. The answer is simple — our quality and service are so exceptional that we rarely have to refund or reprint an order. Check out our full guarantee here.

You can’t select a better printing partner for your book printing. But don’t take our word for it. Check out our over 120 5-star Google reviews.

Info

At Publishing Xpress, we specialize in printing multipage documents from 8 pages to over 600 pages for a wide range of clients, including companies, individuals, nonprofit organizations, and schools. We print a large assortment of products, including books, catalogs, art books, annual reports, association directories, calendars, children’s books, church directories, college journals, college textbooks, yearbooks, comic books, convention workbooks, cookbooks, family history books, journals, magazines, literary magazines, manuals, membership directors, memory books, newsletters, motivational books, novels, photo books, poetry books, product manuals, program booklets, seminar workbooks, souvenir books, special event fundraising booklets, team sports books, training manuals, and workbooks.

Please check out our Book Printing Ideas page for more information. With our numerous options, including four standard finished sizes and any number of custom sizes, four binding styles, many paper choices, lamination on covers, fast turnaround, and low printing prices, we hope you’ll consider Publishing Xpress for your next printing project.

Top Tips for Perfect Bound Printing: Quality Softcover Solutions

Perfect bound printing is a method for creating paperback books by gluing the spine of the pages to a cover. This technique results in a professional and clean look. In this article, you’ll learn what perfect bound printing is, its benefits, uses, customization options, and the binding process.

Key Takeaways

Perfect binding is a cost-effective way to produce professional-looking softcover books that are durable and visually appealing.
Customization options like cover design and paper type enhance the quality and attractiveness of perfect bound books.
Proper file preparation, glue selection, and design practices are key to ensuring a smooth printing process and high-quality final product.

Understanding Perfect Bound Printing

Perfect binding is a popular method for creating paperback books, where the cover wraps around the inside pages and is secured with a strong adhesive. This technique is favored for its ability to combine a paper cover with assembled pages, resulting in durable, flexible, and visually appealing books. You might recognize perfect bound books as those sleek, professional-looking novels, magazines, and catalogs you see on store shelves.

The process involves gluing the cover to the spine of the trimmed pages, giving a neat and polished finish that not only looks good but also ensures the pages lie flat when opened. With perfect binding, you get a straightforward production process that uses only paper and glue, making it an efficient choice for many printing projects.

Benefits of Perfect Bound Books

One of the standout benefits of perfect bound books is their cost-effectiveness, especially for self-published authors who need to keep expenses manageable. The affordability doesn’t compromise on quality, as perfect bound books maintain a professional appearance that appeals to readers and publishers alike.

Perfect binding also offers durability and flexibility, particularly when using PUR adhesive, which withstands extreme temperatures and heavy use. The design improvements you can make with perfect binding significantly enhance the book’s visual impact, making it a great choice for a variety of printed works.

Ideal Uses for Perfect Bound Books

Perfect binding is ideal for creating high-quality softcover books, making it a go-to choice for many publishing projects. Novels, children’s books, and photo books are just a few examples of books that benefit from perfect binding. It also works well for business presentations, annual reports, catalogs, and magazines, providing a professional finish that impresses readers.

Whether you’re publishing a new novel or preparing a business report, perfect binding ensures your work looks polished and professional, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Customization Options for Perfect Bound Books

Customization is key when it comes to perfect bound books. You have various options for cover design and paper types, allowing you to create a book that truly reflects your vision. Opting for thicker paper, like 100 lb gloss text, can elevate the perceived quality and give your book a luxurious feel.

From unique cover artwork to specific paper choices, these customization options enhance the overall appeal of your perfect bound book, making it stand out on any shelf.

The Perfect Binding Process

The perfect binding process involves several key steps to ensure a professional finish. It starts with creating the book block, which includes gathering and trimming the printed pages. Next, adhesive is applied to the spine, and the cover is affixed, ensuring alignment for a neat appearance.

The covers are printed separately from the inside pages, which are cut slightly larger than the final size before being bound together. The spine edge is roughened to improve adhesive contact, resulting in a robust bind.

Using a high quality perfect binder is a common choice for achieving durable and flexible binding. Quality checks throughout the process ensure print quality and binding strength before delivery.

Preparing Your Files for Print

Proper file preparation is crucial for successful perfect bound printing. Ensure that margins are set correctly to avoid cutting off any content during trimming. Including a bleed of 0.125 inches and a margin of at least 0.25 inches helps maintain the proper layout.

Design the interior pages as single pages rather than spreads to align with the printing process. Also, account for the gutter space taken by the spine to avoid losing important content. Properly prepared files minimize issues and ensure a smooth printing process.

Choosing the Right Glue: EVA vs. PUR

Choosing the right glue is essential for the durability of your perfect bound book. EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) glue is popular for its fast drying time and flexibility, making it ideal for general binding. However, PUR (polyurethane) glue offers superior strength and allows the book to lay flat, making it a better choice for thicker books and those requiring a longer lifespan.

Deciding between EVA and PUR depends on your specific needs and the intended use of the book. For heavily used books or those exposed to extreme conditions, PUR is the preferred choice. At Publishing Xpress, we will use PUR glue in most cases. If the book is under 30 pages or is needed quickly, we will then use EVA glue.

Quality Control and Proofing

Quality control and proofing are vital for ensuring high standards in printed books. Proofing your work via PDF files allows you to catch any errors before printing. It’s important to thoroughly review the proof, as you assume responsibility for any typographical errors once the book is printed.

Publishing Xpress maintains high-quality standards by offering quick turnarounds and allowing proofing via PDF files. This process ensures your final product meets your expectations and maintains professional quality.

Cost Considerations for Perfect Bound Printing

The cost of perfect bound printing is influenced by several factors. The quantity ordered plays a significant role; larger runs typically reduce the per-unit cost. The page count of the book also affects the cost, as more pages require additional materials and increase shipping expenses.

Choosing the right paper type is crucial, as different thicknesses and qualities can alter production costs. Larger book dimensions and color printing require more resources, further impacting the price.

While perfect binding offers a balance between aesthetics and cost-effectiveness, adding specialty finishes like lamination can enhance visual appeal but also raise production costs.

Enhancing Your Perfect Bound Book Design

Design plays a crucial role in the overall appeal of your perfect bound book. A well-designed letter book not only attracts readers but also signifies the value of the content within.

Enhancing your book design involves creating an eye-catching cover, maintaining a clean interior layout, and effectively handling images and graphics.

Designing an Eye-Catching Cover

The front cover is the first impression your book makes, so it needs to be compelling and representative of the book’s theme. Effective cover design combines striking colors, unique artwork, and big typography to attract the target audience’s attention.

Customization options like unique artwork and finishes enhance the visual appeal, creating a cover that not only attracts readers but also signifies the value of the work within.

Interior Layout Best Practices

Maintaining consistent margins throughout the interior pages enhances readability and provides a polished look. Using a grid layout helps achieve balance and alignment within the interior design.

High-resolution images ensure that they remain sharp and clear in print, avoiding pixelation. Images that span across the spine should be adjusted outwards to prevent misalignment.

Handling Images and Graphics

Proper placement of images and graphics is crucial for avoiding issues in perfect bound books. Images placed too close to the spine may become obscured when the book is opened, so it’s important to ensure proper placement.

Ordering Perfect Bound Books

Ordering perfect bound books involves a few key steps. Start by selecting the dimensions of your book and uploading your design files during the checkout process. If your project requires specifications not listed on the website, request a custom quote.

Remember, the minimum print quantity for perfect bound books is 25 copies. Ensuring all details are correct before placing the order helps streamline the process and avoid issues.

Distribution and Sales Strategies

Effective distribution and sales strategies are essential for maximizing the reach of your perfect bound books. Online retail channels significantly enhance visibility and sales opportunities.

Networking with bookstores and libraries, participating in book fairs, and leveraging social media for promotional campaigns are all strategies that can increase awareness and drive sales. Establishing relationships with distributors can streamline logistics and get your books into retail channels.

Summary

In summary, perfect bound printing offers a professional and cost-effective solution for creating high-quality softcover books. By understanding the perfect binding process, preparing files correctly, and choosing the right customization options, you can produce a book that stands out.

Remember, effective design and thoughtful distribution strategies are key to maximizing the impact of your perfect bound book. Apply these tips and watch your project come to life with a polished, professional finish that captures readers’ attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is perfect binding in book printing?

Perfect binding is when the cover wraps around the pages, making it a popular choice for paperback books. It’s a sleek way to keep everything together nice and tidy!

How are the covers and inside pages prepared in perfect binding?

In perfect binding, the covers are printed separately and the inside pages are trimmed a bit larger than the final size before they’re all bound together. It’s a straightforward process that ensures a polished finish!

What types of glue are used in perfect binding, and how do they differ?

Perfect binding usually uses EVA glue, which dries faster but isn’t super durable, and PUR glue, which is tougher and lets your book lay flat. So, if you want something that lasts, go for PUR!

What should be considered when designing a perfect bound book?

When designing a perfect bound book, make sure to have large enough margins, particularly near the spine, and be mindful of image placement to prevent losing important content. These little details can make a big difference!

What is the minimum print quantity for perfect bound books at Publishing Xpress?

You’ll need to order at least 25 copies for perfect bound books at Publishing Xpress.

Sizes

At Publishing Xpress, we offer four standard finished sizes: 9 x 12, 8½ x 11, 6 x 9, 5½ x 8½ But we can print custom sizes as well. We have printed books and catalogs ranging from 3 inches x 3 inches all the way to 11 inches x 17 inches.

When pricing a nonstandard sizes up to 9 x 12, simply select our price calculator for the next largest size. For instance, if you want to print a 5 x 5 book, select the 5 ½ x 8 ½ calculator. Or, if you want a 7 x 10 magazine, just select the 8 ½ x 11 calculator.

Binding

At Publishing Xpress, we offer four binding styles for multipage documents:

Saddle stitching: Saddle stitching can be used for documents from 8 to 80 pages. Two pages are printed on each side of a large sheet of paper. The sheets are then collated and folded in half, with two staples on the binding edge. Saddle stitching is a good option for catalogs, program booklets, etc. Due to the way they are printed, saddle stitched booklets must be set up in increments of 4 pages. Saddle stitching costs 20 cents per book.
Perfect binding: Perfect binding can be used for documents from 8 pages to over 300 pages. Glue is placed in the center of the inside cover and then the inside pages adhere to the glue. Perfect binding is popular for paperback novels and larger magazines. This binding costs 50 cents per book.
Plastic coil binding: Plastic coil binding can be used for documents from 8 pages to over 300 pages. This binding is similar to a school notebook, except the binding is covered in black plastic instead of metal. Plastic coil binding is a great option for documents that are heavily used or where the document needs to lay flat. Plastic coil binding costs 95 cents per book.
Wire-o binding: Wire-o binding can also be used for documents from 8 pages to over 300 pages. Wire-o binding is similar to plastic coil binding, except the binding is light black wire. Many feel it is more sophisticated looking than plastic coil binding. Wire-o binding is also a good option for documents that are heavily used or where the document needs to lay flat. Wire-o binding costs 80 cents per book.

Paper

At Publishing Xpress, we have numerous paper options for the inside pages of your document as well as special papers for covers. All of our papers come in white only.

For inside pages, we offer:

60 lb. uncoated text
70 lb. uncoated text
70 lb. matte text
70 lb. gloss text
80 lb. unocoated text
80 lb. matte text
80 lb. gloss text
100 lb. matte text
100 lb. gloss text

For covers, you can use the same paper as the inside pages or these paper stocks:

80 lb. matte cover
80 lb. gloss cover
100 lb. matte cover
100 lb. gloss cover
120 lb. gloss cover (only available with plastic coil and wire-o bindings)
120 lb. matte cover (only available with plastic coil and wire-o bindings)
16 pt cover (only available with plastic coil and wire-o bindings)

When selecting paper stock for saddle stitch binding or perfect binding, we often recommend an 80# cover stock for the cover with 80# text stock for the inside pages or 100# cover stock for the cover with 100# text stock for the inside pages. These combinations work very well together.

For plastic coil and wire-o binding, we recommend the heaviest cover stock (16 pt or 120# gloss or matte cover) with at least 70# uncoated text stock or 80# coated text stock on the inside pages.

If you are not sure what paper stocks to use, order our printing sample package. That package contains a plastic coil bound book with sample of all of our paper stocks.

Turnaround

Our normal turnaround time is 4-6 business days after proof approval. We also offer expedited turnaround times:

3 business days after proof approval costs 15% extra
2 business days after proof approval costs 25% extra
1 business day after proof approval costs 40% extra
Same day as proof approval costs 100% extra. However, before ordering, please check with us to make sure that we are able to print the same day.

Unlike other printing companies, we provide you with an exact number of production days. We do not give you a range of days, because we do not think that is very helpful for you to schedule jobs. However, please keep in mind that our turnaround times are our production times only and do not include UPS shipping times to deliver your order. Shipping times with the United States can vary from 1 to 4 business days. Please see our shipping page to determine how many shipping days you are from our location. You can also expedite shipping, but you will need to pay for this service. Ground UPS shipping is free for orders over $399. UPS offers overnight, 2nd day, and 3-day shipping in addition to standard ground shipping.

Lamination

At Publishing Xpress, we offer lamination for the covers of perfect bound, plastic coil, and wire-o books. We do not offer lamination for saddle stitch books. We currently offer gloss, soft touch, leather, and linen lamination. The cost is:

35 cents per book for one sided gloss lamination
70 cents per book for two sided gloss lamination (available only for plastic coil and wire-o books)
40 cents per book for one sided soft touch lamination
80 cents per book for two sided soft touch lamination (available only for plastic coil and wire-o books)
50 cents per book for one sided matte lamination
$1 per book for two sided matte lamination (available only for plastic coil and wire-o books)
50 cents per book for one sided leather lamination
$1 per book for two sided leather lamination (available only for plastic coil and wire-o books)
50 cents per book for one sided linen lamination
$1 per book for two sided linen lamination (available only for plastic coil and wire-o books)

File Setup

At Publishing Xpress, we only accept PDF files for your printing files. The PDF file must be high resolution, which will embed all fonts and graphics, so that no elements are moved or displaced on your pages. Please review every page of your PDF before uploading it to us. You are the only one who can judge whether all of the pages are correct and that nothing has shifted or moved.

Our customer service reps review every job before it is shipped. In many cases, they will notice things like low-resolution graphics, layering issues, and sometimes even typos. If they notice something, they will bring it to your attention so that you can correct it. However, we cannot guarantee that we will notice everything that may be wrong with a particular job.

Templates

Templates for Blank Lined Pages

These templates are perfect for journals and note pages in other documents. The templates are PDFs with bleeds:

Lined Pages 5.5×8.5 with Bleeds

Lined Pages 6×9 with Bleeds