Looking for the best deals regarding best book printing services can be a daunting task, more so if you are relatively new in this publishing world. Well, worry not as we have got your back. In this blog, we will walk you through some practical tips and share some personal experiences which will help you secure the best deals on the best book printing services.
Understand Your Needs
Know what you want before looking for the best book printing deals. Are you looking to print quantities small or bulk? Do you want it in hardback or paperback form? What paper and binding are you looking for? These questions can help you decide on a suitable printing service.
Tip: It’s useful to make a list of what you need. This will more easily allow you to compare services.
Example: While printing my first novel, I found out that I needed to have available a mix between hardover and paperback copies. This impacted my decision as far as the choice of a printing service goes.
Research and Compare.
Do not go for the first printing service that comes your way. Instead, research a few companies and compare them using reviews on their website or other websites like Trustpilot, Goodreads, etc.
Tip: Create a comparison chart. List services, prices, and turn-around time next to each other and also the customer reviews.
Example: I investigated different printing services over the course of one week. More specifically, my efforts lead me to learn about a local printer whose prices were more competitive in cost and whose delivery time was faster than some well ken national services.
Get Quotes
Once you have options, contact printing companies to solicit quotes. Give them all the details so they can give you precise estimates over their services.
Tip: Do not be afraid to negotiate. A lot of printing services are more than happy to offer special discounts, especially with larger orders.
Example: I disparately reduced my price by 15% on a large print run of children’s books one time—just by asking, in case they can match this competitor who has his price lower.
Watch out for special offers and discounts.
Most of the printing services come up with special deals during the year. Make sure to sign up for their newsletters or like their social media pages in order to update on these promotions.
Tip: Consider timing your print runs right in tandem with these sales.
Example: I postponed the launch of one book, for instance, by a month so that it would coincide with the 20% discount offered by my printing service during their anniversary sale.
Evaluate Quality
Price itself is of very great importance, but so is the quality. Ask for samples before committing to an order, as this will give you a reasonable sense of the paper quality, clarity of print, and how sturdy the binding is expected to be.
Tip: Avoid bargaining over the quality for a better price. Poor quality will definitely affect your book’s reception and sales.
Example: I got samples from three different printing services. The cheapest one turned out to have poor quality of print. The other one, a bit more expensive and providing better results, is the one I finally chose.
Consider Local Printers.
While large online printing services can be convenient, do not forget your local printers who in the majority of cases offer more personalized service and quicker turnarounds.
TIP: If you can, go to placing with local printers. Discuss your project in person and ask samples.
Example: I found a local printer who matched many of the prices of these services online, but on top of that, he gave invaluable advice regarding paper choice and how to design an effective cover.
Read the Fine Print
Before you finalize your order, please take some time to go over the terms and conditions in detail. Look for any hidden fees, shipping, or specific clauses that could alter the price.
Tip: Be sure to get all your doubts cleared with the printing service before ordering.
Example: I once found a hidden fee for color proofs in the fine print of a contract. Because I caught it up front, I wasn’t surprised by the costs later.
Use Online Tools
Run a number of online tools and platforms that can perfectly present you with the best deals regarding book printing services. Among such options, there are some websites, like PrintNinja or Blurb, which offer cost estimators or instantaneous quotations to help budget your project.
Tip: Compare prices and features at a glance with these tools.
Example: Using an online cost calculator, I could play with different print runs to come up with the option that saved me the most money without giving away quality.
Ask for Recommendations.
Feel free to ask other authors or publishing groups for recommendations. Experiences of others may guide you better in getting the best book printing deal.
Tip: Get into online forums or join local writing groups. Networking could lead you to some real hidden gems in the printing industry.
Example: Another author led me to a small, family-owned printing service I was not aware of. Their service was very good; their prices were competitive. Plan Ahead Rushed print jobs cost more. Be smart about planning your project timeline so that you have time to avoid rush fees and have a little slack just in case something doesn’t go according to plan.
Tip: Build a buffer into your schedule for unexpected delays. Example: For the last book, I started printing two months before it went on sale. That gave me some breathing room when minor problems cropped up without socking me with huge overruns on shipping costs.
Conclusion
It does take some research, negotiation, and sharp planning to get the very best of deals when seeking book printing services. By fully understanding what your needs are, you can compare options with each other, utilizing discounts whenever you can, and zero in on top-of-the-line printing services for better value.
