Printing can be very confusing to a self-publishing author. In most cases authors only require a digital e-book and print-on-demand book. But in special circumstances, such as a seminar, or training workshop, another binding option may be a better choice.
Terms
Pre-press is formatting your file into a format preferred by most printers – an error-free portable document file or PDF – using the technical specifications provided by the printer. It has also been called “make-ready.”
Printing is duplicating an original manuscript and images onto paper for mass distribution.
Binding is gathering and securing pages and wrapping them in a protective case. The most common bindings are comb-bound, saddle-stitch or stapled and perfect bound (glued).
Printing Choices
Offset printing is by far the most expensive option. This offers long-lasting, high-quality printing with a wide selection of materials choices. The books are pre-printed and must be stored.
Digital Printing offers tremendous savings and no storage. For print-on-demand, books are not printed until they are purchased. However, sizes and materials are specific to each printer’s capabilities. POD is a very cost-effective and “green” way to self-publishing.
Book Binding Options
The following short list will help you make an informed decision on the best way to present your material. Please note that bindery methods vary from printer to printer and are based according to cost, durability, and appearance.
Case Binding, also called edition binding, results in a common hardcover book. It is the most durable option but also the most expensive. Signatures of paper are gathered and sewn together. The pages are trimmed on three sized and then glued into a single unit (spine, front cover, and back cover) made of binders board covered with cloth.
Perfect Binding. Similar to case-bound books, perfect-bound books are also made of signatures, which are gathered into a book and the edges of the spine are notched. When the spine is glued to a paper cover the notches increase surface area and allow for a more permanent adhesion to the cover. Unlike case binding, perfect binding involves only gluing to the spine to the cover. Perfect bound books are less durable than case bound, but are significantly cheaper.
Lay-Flat Binding. Perfect bound books do not lay flat when opened. By using a flexible glue on the spine edge, perfect bound cookbooks or technical manuals can lie flat on the table. This is a more expensive method and requires more time for the glue to cure.
Saddle-Stitching is using staples made of thin wire to hold the signatures together. These books can lie flat, however, saddle-stitching only works for shorter books (about 80 pages) and these books have no spine where you can print a title.
Side-Stitching are loose sheets of paper stapled together with a paper cover wrapped around and glued to form a printable spine. Side-stitched books do not lie flat. (Example: National Geographic Magazine.)
GBC Binding or plastic comb binding is good for technical manuals that have a lot of pages and must lie flat. The pages are punched with a series of holes and a plastic comb is inserted. The comb, which curls along the length of the book allows for a screen-printable spine. It can accommodate several pages, which can be added or removed as needed.
Wire-O and Spiral Binding hold fewer pages than comb binding. Similar to school wire bound notebooks, neither provide a printable spine or allows pages to be added or removed. Both methods, however, allows the book to lie flat.
Plastic Coil Binding is similar to spiral binding but using a more resilient plastic alternative. Additionally, plastic coil bindings are available in a variety of colors.
Tape, Post and Velo Binding are often used for presentations. With tape binding, covers and pages are taped together along the binding edge. Post binding uses screws that allows the book to be disassembled and pages added or removed. Velo binding a thin piece of plastic runs the length of the spine on the front and back of the book and thin pegs attach them together through the pages.
Ring Binders is exactly what the name implies – just like the binders we used in school.
Online Print Sources
There are thousands of printers you can choose from to fit your printing needs. In many respects it is best to go with a local printer: you work with them face-to-face. However, I have used several online printers that provide excellent professional printing and my personal choices are listed below.
Digital Print-on-Demand (POD)
CreateSpace.com. I prefer Create Space as I have not had an issue with print quality nor my book displaying for sale on Amazon. Other sources are Lightening Source and Lulu for POD printing; however, I have heard there have been occasional issues “selling” third-party POD books on Amazon. While I cannot verify this, I have never had an issue with Create Space quality or publication on Amazon.
Printing: marketing and specialty items.
VistaPrint.com. I have used Vista Print for several years and can say the quality is outstanding. The key to quality printing requires knowing the print specifications (CMYK versus RGB) of the company.
CafePress.com. This is a great source if you want to offer specialty items from your site. For example, you can offer mugs, t-shirts, bags, even baby bibs – great items if your novel has merchandisable characters.
