Money Wise Self-Publishing: Finding the Right Printer

Page Count - Specify how many pages your book is total including front matter and back matter.

Trim Size - The standard industry trim sizes are 4x6, 5.5x8.5, 6x9, 7x10 and 8.5x11. If your title is a different trim size, make sure you state the specific size and expect to pay a little more.

Text Provided/Copy Furnished - Tell them how you will provide them with the final copy. Your options are usually, camera-ready, trouble free disk (electronic files), or negatives.

Paper Stock - Specify what type of paper you want your book to be printed on. If you aren't sure, ask the manufacturer or your representative what they suggest. Also ask what the price difference will be.

Cover or Dust Jacket - Indicate what type of stock you want your cover or dust jacket to be printed on. For a perfect bound cover, your options are usually 10pt C1S or 12pt C1S. For dust jackets, you will probably choose from 801b enamel or 65lb white.

Binding - Depending on your book, you will need to supply binding type. The industry standards are perfect (paper), case (hard), saddle stitch (staples), spiral wire, wire-o, and comb. With all these decisions to make, now is the best time to ask your questions.

Get to Know Your Press Rep

One benefit to choosing a local printer is you can make stops into the shop for any questions or just to see how things are going. Most printers are willing to answer any and all questions you have regarding the manufacturing process. And if they aren't willing, then that should be a red flag for you to look elsewhere. If you are dealing with an out of state or out of country printer, see if they have a local representative. That's a benefit to you because you can field your questions directly to the representative. If not, pickup the phone. Most manufacturers have a toll-free number that you can use to get your questions answered.

Go With the Flow

Its very easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices you have for paper color, paper size, paper weight, cover stock, etc. But keep an open mind when approaching your printer. If you are too headstrong about a certain paper type or paperweight, this may cost you in the long run. Be flexible to what your printer might have in stock. Don't be afraid to ask to see a sample. The paper that printers carry in-house usually

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