These guys print our books for us because we've been doing our own distribution and we just use them for short print runs (up to 250 copies). They also do print on demand where you can order up to 25 copies at a time. In addition to black and white printing they also do full 4 colur printing suitable for childrens books and photo rich books, plus they are one of only a few print on demand suppliers that offer carbon neutral printing options.
Short run publishing:
Cost per copy(100 page book): £1.95 per copy if you buy 50 copies in a short run special deal
Setup Charges: Nil. They charge £15 for sending out a proof copy which is just loose leaf (but ask any proof reader it is alot easier to proof loose pages)
Other short run options will include various setup charges adding up to £55 and then 5p per page, with production costs running to £0.95 per cover and a penny per page. For a 100 page book the setup charges would then be £60, and then £1.95 per copy thereafter.
Print on Demand:
Cost per copy(100 page book): £1 for the cover & a penny per page = £2
Setup Charges: £17.50 and £10 annual maintenance charge
What I should say as well is that these guys offer an comprehensive service for authors which includes help with layout, cover design, proof reading, ISBN servicing, marketing packs and pretty much everything else an author would want to get his book created.
The sandwich list of things that they can offer on http://www.fast-print.net is pretty lenghty and it may be an option if you want to self publish. But as this material is about turning all your ebooks into real life paperback books for your budding publishing business, I will not go into any further detail about their service. If you want to, just check out their website and submit a request through their website and they'll be in touch. They do deliver quality.
Layout Help:
It would certainly help but there is less need for knowing special software as they will convert word documents for you. They operate a pdf printing process and although adobe is preferred they do suggest alternative PDF programs that work.Plus they don't insist you submit a pdf file, you can also submit word documents.
If you're not very familiar with doing designs then you will have to use help to get the cover done for this print on demand company too.
Editorial & Proofreading:
With the risk of repeating myself I will just say that editorial and proof reading assistance will improve the quality of your material. This applies regardless of who you let print your book in the end.
Choice of Binding:
Standard binding is perfect bound (paperback) or case bound (hard cover) but they can also offer bespoke solutions like saddle stich, spiral
Book sizes available:
Standard, Demy, A5, Royal & A4, but all book sizes can be done for you as a bespoke order.
Next you need to register on their website
After you've completed the initial project information you'll receive a quote and have to pay before your book goes through a file handling and proofing process before it is printed and finished. If you have opted for the print on demand contract you will at this point also be offered access to their distribution network which is not as comprehensive as lightning sources, but you you get good access to the UK and US markets.
They will accept word documents for the content file by the way.
If you are going to convert an ebook cover to the real book cover there's only 3 things to remember. Firstly, the cover file has to include the whole cover jacket (front, back and spine) Secondly, you (or your designer) have to use the spine width calculator to calculate the exact width of the spine. Thirdly you have to make sure that any images going in the cover file has to be tiff image file type and 300 to 600dpi.
These guys are readily available by phone and will happily talk any small publisher through the process or send your details to Fast-print.net if they think you need the type of help that self publishers usually ask for.
POD-WW are just printers. They do not have anything to do with your royalties, your marketing or your rights. You have to provide the ISBN's, the book files and hold on to the copyrights.
Why choose printondemand-ww?
The profit margin is the greatest when you use them. You'd have to balance this with the level of market access you could be offered by other providers. If you already know where to meet your buyers and you are happy with the level of sales this will give you, marketing and distribution help from your printer is not required. If you want to sell more copies (for less profit per copy) then you have to consider alternatives, even when selecting their print on demand service. They are easy to use and you can also contact them very easily if you need help with anything at all.If you are on a very restricted budget should you use printondemand-ww?
Not really. You can self-publish with Lulu much easier, cheaper and faster. The only reason to use POD-WW in a restricted budget situation is when you have £200 to spend up front and want to maximise your profit over time.
