The basics of book printing are fairly straight forward, however a little review never hurts.

Everything I will discuss is based on our offset equipment, which are sheetfed presses. The most common book jobs print full color covers and black text. While we also utilize digital equipment for short runs of books, we generally use offset presses for runs of 500 books and up.

Book sizes and page counts - Standard book sizes are 5-1/2 x 8-1/2, 6 x 9, 6-3/4 x 9-3/4, and 8-1/2 x 11.  While you can run other sizes, these are the most efficient and cost effective for the paper sizes that we use. For 5-1/2 x 8-1/2, 6 x 9, and 6-3/4 x 9-3/4 we run sections of 32 pages for black text. As a publisher, it is advantageous to layout your book so that the total page count of your book including prelim pages (roman numeral, unnumbered, a, b, c, d, pages before numbered page 1) is equally divisible by 32. So for example, 96 pages = 3 x 32, 128 = 4 x 32, 160 = 5 x 32 and so on.  In many cases it is not possible to lay out the pages this way so the next best options are smaller 1/2 section of 16 pages or 1/4 section of 8 pages. So for example 176 page book would be would be made up of 5 sections of 32 and 1 of 16.  A 200 page book 6 sections of 32 and 1 of 8 pages.  For 8-1/2 x 11 size books we run in sections of 16 pages with 1/2 sections of 8 pages, and again a 1/4 section of 4 pages.

Preflight - When you send in your electronic pdf files for text and cover, we preflight (check to make sure everything is there), do some of the inside techy stuff and output a proof that we send to you for approval.

Computer to plate - Our experienced prepress technicians utilize state of the art equipment to impose (place pages in correct position using imposition software) pages and output metal plates that are used on our presses.

Paper - We can debate all day about paper. For straight text with very few pictures I recomend a standard FSC certified 50 # 2 offset.  If you have text, a few pictures, perhaps some line art or illustrations, go with a 60lb # 2 offset. These are your best value, they print really well, great readibility, always available, cost effective, and do not complicate the binding process whatsoever. For covers a standard 10pt or 12 pt Coated 1 side (unless printing on reverse side then coated 2 sides) FSC certified cover stock. Again your best value for most soft cover books.  Laminating a cover is critical for the look and exterior integrity of the book. We offer both gloss or matte lamination. Lamination is a nylon material applied to the outside of the cover using high temperature and pressure.

Binding - Notch perfect binding is the only way to go. During the folding of individual sections, notches or knock outs are made along the spine or gutter of each section. When books are being bound on a perfect binder, hot melt glue is forced into these notches, covers are attached forming a super bond.  All folding and perfect binding is not the same, to a huge extent it depends on the expertise of the people running the equipment.  Our key people operating the folding, laminating and binding equipment have 25 plus years experience, all totalled well over a 100 years. The quality of books these folks produce is amazing. We also offer, saddle-stitch (magazine style), and coil binding, plastic and metal wire.

Shipping - Books are carton packed, placed on skids. Because your books must make it to you in perfect condition we put re-inforced corners, pallet wrap, and secure nylon strapping to the skid for a safe, secure and worry free transport.

Save money and receive value - Pick an efficient finished size, optimize with an efficient page count, use good quality FSC certified cost effective offset stock and use a company that has highly experienced staff at each stage of the process.

This is the Dave Friesen short notes on the book printing process.

Hope it helps.