Book Printing Cost: Important Factors to Consider
The start of writing a book is always very exciting for an author. They get to dive into their passion and dig up some of the most amazing masterpieces of literature the world has ever seen. But to make the world see, the book needs to be published and for it to be published, it needs to be printed. When it comes to printing a lot of factors are needed to be considered. So, for an author, writing might just not be the only thing to do when launching a book. But do not worry as for future referencesthis blog will guide you through the factors on which printing cost depends.
Book Specifications
Specifications like size, quality of the paper, page count, and a lot more impact the cost of printing.
Book Size: In the publishing industry there is no strict rule that your book has to be of a certain size which is why the cost varies depending on it. But the most common size you can see is 6 inches by 9 inches which is comparatively cheaper to print and does not require any extra or special addition. However, if you want to make an exception to this size guide and make your book stand out of the ordinary then you need to invest some extra money to do so, which will eventually lead to the rise of the cost of printing.
Page Count: The equation is simple, the more pages you incorporate into your book the more paper and ink you will need. Along with this the time taken to print the book will also increase and so will the cost of printing. For example, a book of 1000pages will take a lot more ink and time to get printed than a book with half of the page counts.
Paper Type and Quality: With so many options available on the market it is easy to get distracted and hard to put an exact amount on the cost of it. There is a huge difference in their prices. The cost depends on the paper you choose for your book. For example, a paper of 120 gsm is a little bit heavier and harder than 80 gsm paper but the cost of the former is higher also.
Illustrations: The usage of illustrations or pictures can help with the aesthetics of your book but might not be able to bring your printing costs down as the complex designs and the use of multiple colors mean only one thing. More money is to be invested in printing. These also require special printing techniques which means the same thing.
Black and White or Color:If your book lacks images and is text heavy, it is a good idea to stick to black and white printing because it is a lot more cost-effective. The more images and illustrations you have in your book, the more colors it will require to get printed which is far more expensive than black and white text.
Binding Types
Perfect Binding: This type of binding is common for paperback books with short page counts, generally under 100, where the pages are glued together along the spine which makes it very cost-effective.
Saddle Stitching: This method involves stapling the folded pages along the spine and it is also applicable for shorter books, generally under 100 pages.
Hardcover Binding: For durability and high-quality finish, this type of binding is applied but the cost is higher than the previous two due to the time and labor put into it.
Printing Methods
Digital Printing: This method of printing is good for fewer amounts of copies, for example, under 1000 as it offers quick results and the setup cost is lower compared to offset printing. But the cost per unit can go higher in case of larger quantities.
Offset Printing: This method of printing is ideal when you want to print large amounts of copies. Even though the initial setup cost is a bit more than the digital printing method but the cost per unit decreases significantly with volume, making it more commercial for large quantities.
Additional Considerations
Marketing and Distribution: The whole responsibility of marketing and distribution can be given to companies that provide these services for free or for an exchange of a minimal cost. Their services like well-written blogs, reviews, press releases, interviews, and a lot more help to give your book the exposure it needs and deserves without burning a hole into your pocket.
ISBN and Barcodes: If you want to sell your book commercially then you need an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) and a barcode which costs money.
Wrapping Up
As you are aware by now, there are a lot of things to consider before you start running around with your manuscript. Take some time to sort out a plan with the help of this blog and channel your executive skills with finesse.
