Average consumers and professional publishing companies all have access to large scale commercial printing services. The rapid expansion of the “self-publishing” industry has made the remarkably high-quality products available only on commercial printing presses available to the masses.
When considering the use of a large-scale commercial printing service it is important to remember that, while the cost of the job may seem quite low, the services they provide come at a premium expense. This means that a few “essential” options should be available from PrintArt when selected, these include:
- Full-color printing
- Lithographic or planographic options
- Short-run print jobs
- A variety of binding options
Full-color printing is an absolute essential for anyone considering the publication of a book with graphics, illustrations, photographs, or reproduction photographs of artwork. It is also important if a full-color case or cover is desired. Many people also self-publish children’s books and full-color printing is an absolute necessity where such works are concerned.
Lithographic and planographic processes require the “plate” to come into full contact with the paper and results in the highest quality imagery available. Many coffee table books and highly graphic works rely on the lithographic process to yield the best results. This also requires the commercial printing service to make full-color printing available as well but is generally not difficult to locate within any printing company’s basic services.
Short-run print jobs are essential because they can make the difference between printing a book and not printing a book. How is that? A commercial printing service that accepts short-run jobs allows a self-publishing author to order less than one thousand units. This can save enormous amounts of money and may actually allow someone to move ahead with their publishing plans. Many short-run printers also don’t tack on extra fees if an existing customer orders a repeat of a short-run job because they would already have all of the materials to complete the work.
Commercial printers should offer their customers a nice range of binding options, even if they are ordering a short-run printing job. Today’s binderies can glue or stitch their binding and make a range of “cases” available as well. Commercial printers should be able to make many options for both soft and hardcover books affordable and available to their clients.
Some final considerations for working with a commercial printing service include support services, shipping, and “turnaround” time. Even the largest commercial printers should be able to guide their client through the entire printing and proofing process. This means that they should have a dedicated customer representative who is in direct contact with the customer every step of the way – from the design of the job, the approving of the “proof” copy, and the review of the completed work.
Additionally, there should be some reasonable pricing available on the shipping of printed books through the commercial printing company. Even if they use a bindery service, the printer should extend wholesale pricing because they have access to the best pricing themselves.
Finally, commercial printers, particularly in the “large scale” category, do nothing but print jobs all day, every day. Because of that, they should have a relatively short “turnaround” time on the work, and PrintArt won’t miss your deadline.
It can be a fairly complex process but don’t feel overwhelmed, reach out to PrintArt today, and explain your needs. Their customer service department will put together a cost-effective quote and help your vision come to reality!
PrintArt – Accurate Die Cutting
413 Interchange St.
McKinney, TX 75071
972.562.7921
https://www.printart-adc.com
