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Money Wise Self-Publishing: Finding the Right Printer

© Donna Murphy

Once your manuscript is edited, you will want to start preparing it for the printer. This process includes typesetting, cover design, and printer selection. This Money Wise topic will discuss printer selection - finding the right press for your book. Getting your book manufactured will be one of your greatest expenses. Follow these guidelines to avoid spending extra time and money on getting your book produced.

RFQ Submission Process

I think one of the best parts of the self-publishing process is sending in a Request for Quotation (RFQ) to book manufacturers. There are printers, bookbinders, and book manufacturers. The all-inclusive option is only available from the book manufacturer. They have the facilities to print, bind, package, and ship your book. The reason I say this is the best part is because the response you get is an ego-booster. Book manufacturers make their money from those of us who want to get our materials published. That makes them very interested in you. But that doesn't give you permission to accept the first offer that comes back. Use this process as a research tool. With every title that I submit an RFQ for, I keep a separate RFQ submission report. This report is as basic as a spreadsheet with the printer's contact information and their quote. From this information I can generate a statistical report that tells me what the average cost is to print a particular book. You will also get to see what the extremes can be for the exact same book.

How do I submit an RFQ?

The traditional way to submit an RFQ is to generate a form letter listing all the specific information that you require. This form letter is then mailed directly to the printer. The manufacturer often sets the alternate methods for requesting quotes. Some companies accept RFQs by facsimile. Other companies provide you with a pre-made postcard or form to fill out to send directly to them. Many companies now have their RFQ forms on-line so that you can get a quote on-line by e-mail within 24-48 hours of submission.

What should I ask for?

To get the most thorough quote, you have to provide the most thorough information. The items that you will need to supply include:

Title - Provide them with your working title.

Subtitle - Provide them with your working subtitle.

Quantity - State the number of books you want printed. You can get quotes for multiple quantities like (750, 1000, 1500).

The copyright of the article Money Wise Self-Publishing: Finding the Right Printer in Self-Publishing is owned by Donna Murphy. Permission to republish Money Wise Self-Publishing: Finding the Right Printer in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.