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Practical guidance on book printing and self-publishing, deeper context on the print industry, and stories from books we’ve made — written for authors, publishers and anyone who cares about how books get made.

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Guides

How to Write a Travel Memoir: 12 Themed Chapters

There are few better ways to blend adventure and introspection – to seamlessly combine the outer and inner worlds – than by putting pen to the paper of a new travelogue.  So, if you’re wondering how to write a travel memoir that will captivate prospective and/or…

16 December 2025 Read
Guides

How Much Does It Cost to Print a Book?

Updated February 2025 Wondering how much it costs to print a book? Whether you’re self-publishing, printing a business book, or producing a novel, this guide breaks down exact costs, compares printing methods, and shows you how to save money in 2025. Knowing these costs…

24 October 2024 Read
Guides

Offset Printing vs Digital Printing

Offset and digital printing each have their benefits, depending on your needs. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences in cost, speed, and quality to help you pick the best option for your project. What Is Offset Printing? Offset printing is a century-old…

22 October 2024 Read
Guides

DPI in Printing, What is DPI? Tips and Tricks for Print

If there is one key concept you should focus on to increase the quality of your images it is DPI. DPI stands for “dots per inch,” and it’s a crucial factor in how sharp and clear your printed images and text will appear. What is DPI and Why Does It Matter?…

17 October 2024 Read
Guides

Grayscale vs Monochrome vs Black and White

Grayscale printing is a popular printing technique that uses shades of gray to represent images without colour. This method influences how we perceive visual information, offering unique esthetic and practical advantages in certain applications. Understanding grayscale printing…

16 October 2024 Read
Guides

How to Create Print-Ready Artwork in Canva

Creating designs in Canva that are ready for printing is important for designers, marketers, and business owners. Canva’s simple tools make it easy to craft professional-looking print materials. However, to ensure your designs print correctly, you need to pay attention to…

16 October 2024 Read
Guides

What Does Collate Mean in Printing? A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever printed a big document and dreaded the task of sorting all the pages into the right order? If so, you’re not alone. That’s exactly the problem collation is meant to solve. In this post, we’ll break down what “collate” means in printing, take a quick trip through…

15 October 2024 Read
Guides

Eco-friendly Book Printing Options in the UK

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in book printing as the industry faces growing pressure to reduce its environmental impact. Traditional book printing contributes to deforestation, waste, and carbon emissions, but there are greener alternatives that can help…

20 May 2024 Read
Guides

The Art of Short-Run Book Printing: Pros, Cons, and Benefits

Short-run book printing has become increasingly popular among self-publishers, small publishing houses, and authors seeking to test the market or create limited-edition works. This approach to printing involves producing a smaller number of books, typically between 50 and 2000…

20 May 2024 Read
Guides

The Importance of Cover Design in Book Printing

In the world of publishing, a book’s cover serves as its first and most powerful marketing tool. Though the saying goes, “never judge a book by its cover,” readers inevitably do. Whether it’s a quick scroll through an online store or a glance at a bookstore…

20 May 2024 Read
Guides

A Guide to Copyright your Book and Legal Considerations

Congratulations on completing your book and preparing to print your masterpiece! As a UK author, you want to ensure that your book is legally protected and follows all copyright laws. Please don’t fret, as we have created a fun and easy guide to help you through the legalities…

20 May 2024 Read
Guides

Tips to Create a Luxury Hardback Book

The world of luxury hardback book design is an art form in itself. There are several essential tips to remember when printing a hardback book that truly stands out from the crowd and captures readers’ attention. From understanding the basics of design to mastering the art…

22 April 2024 Read
Guides

Sustainable Printing Efforts

Printing sustainably is not just a trend, it’s a responsibility. With the world facing environmental challenges, businesses are embracing eco-friendly printing practices to reduce their carbon footprint. Here are some inspiring efforts that are making a difference!

22 June 2023 Read
Guides

The Evolution of Book Printing: From Gutenberg to Digital

The evolution of book printing is a testament to the power of human ingenuity and innovation. From Gutenberg’s groundbreaking use of movable type to the rise of digital technology, each stage of this journey has brought new possibilities for how we create, share, and…

22 June 2023 Read
Guides

Understanding Paper Types and their Impact on Your Book

Your book is more than just words on a page. It’s an expression of your soul, a reflection of your passion, and a testament to your creativity. That’s why understanding paper types and their impact on your book is crucial. It’s not just about choosing the…

22 June 2023 Read
Guides

UK Self-Publishing Costs: Profits Explained

Self-publishing can be a viable option for UK authors, but understanding the costs and potential profits is crucial. From editing to marketing, here’s a breakdown of the economics involved in self-publishing.

20 June 2023 Read
Guides

How to Use The Colour Wheel

The colour wheel is a fundamental tool for understanding colour relationships and creating harmonious colour schemes in art, design, and other creative disciplines. Developed as a visual representation of colour theory, the colour wheel simplifies the complex world of colour by…

22 March 2023 Read
Guides

Top Mistakes to Avoid when Printing Your Book

The journey of writing a book can be a thrilling and fulfilling experience, but the final step – printing – holds its own set of challenges. It’s essential to pay close attention to the details when printing your book, as even the smallest mistakes can impact…

21 March 2023 Read
Guides

Typesetting and Book Design

Have you just written a book and need some help getting it ready for print?  Typesetting is the art of laying out your text and/or images onto the pages of your book. There are multiple ways of doing this and many different software suites that can help you but, it is not…

2 December 2021 Read
Guides

Formatting a Book in Microsoft Word

Formatting a book in Microsoft Word doesn’t have to be confusing. Follow our book formatting guide to get your manuscript or book looking professional ready to get it into a format ready for book printing. We often get customers asking for advice on how to set up the page size,…

19 August 2020 Read
Guides

How to Format a Book for Printing

Welcome to our guide on formatting a book for printing, where our aim is to help you achieve a professional look for your book while ensuring its content remains accessible and engaging for readers. It’s important to strike the right balance in formatting – simplicity is…

19 August 2020 Read
Guides

Ultimate Guide to Hardback and Paperback Book Sizes in 2025

Choosing the right size of book isn’t just about aesthetics. It affects everything from production costs to how your readers experience your work. Drawing on years of industry expertise, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the many options available, ensuring your…

19 August 2020 Read
Guides

Glossary of Printing Terms

When it comes to printing, there are many words and phrases used by our team that you may not have come across before. From different paper types to knowing what “bleed” means, it’s helpful to grasp the basic terminology to ensure your project turns out just the way…

19 August 2020 Read
Guides

History of Book Printing

What we call a book today is very different from what our ancestors would have called a book.  The history of book printing starts with tablets, scrolls and sheets of papyrus.  After these, we had elaborate, hand-bound and expensive books known as codices. These eventually gave…

20 May 2020 Read

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