78 of the questions we get asked most often, organised by topic. Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch: we'll come back to you the next working day.
Single pages, one book page per PDF page, at the trim size you ordered. Add 3mm bleed only where a picture or a colour runs to the edge. Crop marks are fine: the checker reads the trim box and ignores them.
Add the inside of the cover as page 2 of your cover PDF, at the same size as page 1, or upload it as its own file from your order page. Choose inside cover printing when you price the book so it is on the order.
Yes. You supply the inside pages as a PDF, so make them lined, dotted, squared or blank, with any headers or prompts you want. One page design repeated is fine; export it to the full page count.
The heavier the paper, the less you see through it. For text, 100gsm Opaque is the usual choice over 80gsm; for pens, pencils or felt tips, 120gsm Opaque is the one to pick. The sample pack has every paper to hold up to the light.
All files should be sent to us as press-ready PDF files.
Your spine size will vary depending on what paper you have and how many pages you have in your book. You can use our online spine calculator to get an accurate measurement for your book. Please visit - Spine Size Calculator.
Your text file and your cover file needs to be supplied as press-ready PDF files.
This is down to personal preference and also what size and how many pages your book has. It will be best to have a look at similar books in your genre at or near your page count and decide from those books.
Bleed is printing that goes beyond the edge of where the sheet will be trimmed. In other words, the bleed is the area to be trimmed off. The bleed is the part on the side of a document that gives us a small amount of space to account for movement of the paper, and design inconsistencies.
If you lose your files please send us an email. We keep all files on our system indefinitely unless we have been instructed to delete them. We are more than happy to send any files to you.
Absolutely, we can print any text, images, graphics and illustrations etc. Please make sure any text has it's fonts embedded.
There is no extra cost for any images, graphics and illustrations etc. The only thing to remember is if your page has any amount of colour on then you will need to count this as a printed colour page.
We use the term artwork for any press-ready PDF file that is sent to us. Text files, cover files, plate sections, foil PDF's etc.
You may not need blank pages but it may be a good idea to put some blank pages in your book after title pages and the copyright etc. It is best to have a look at other books in a similar genre and see what you like and what you do not like. Please note that the number of pages in your book will have to be an even number and we may add a blank page at the end of your book to achieve this.
It will be difficult to calculate the number of pages your book will have until it is in its final form. Please make sure your book is formatted and ready to print before working out the spine width and getting any design completed.
We do have several templates you can use for your internal book file. Please visit out book templates page. Please note, we are currently updating this page and will be adding more templates soon.
PDF files can be created from within Microsoft Word and most other software that you will have created your book in.
The size you make the cover will depend on the size of your book and the number of printed pages your book has. Please visit our templates page to work out what size you should design your books cover.
Set the page size in the program you wrote the book in, then export a new PDF. Our book templates page has every size we print, and the interior file checker tells you if the PDF does not match the size you ordered.
Font embedding is the inclusion of font files inside an electronic document. When fonts are embedded into your PDF document and you send your file to somebody else, if they don't have the fonts installed on their computer then the font information will be pulled from the PDF document. If you do not have your fonts embedded in your document and you send your PDF to someone who doesn't have that particular font, then their computer will try and use a 'similar' font.
You must make sure all fonts are embedded in your document.
Embedding fonts is different depending on which software you use. Below is a simple guide to help you embed your fonts in Microsoft Word. The book templates page covers other programs, and the interior file checker tells you when a font is not embedded.
Microsoft Word
Click the File tab and then click Options (it's near the bottom left corner of the window).
In the left column, select the Save tab.
At the bottom, under Preserve fidelity when sharing this presentation, select the Embed fonts in the file checkbox.
Leaving that checkbox blank increases the file size, but is best for allowing others to edit the document and keep the same font.
Selecting Embed only the characters used in the presentation reduces the file size but limits the editing of the file using the same font.
Click OK.
We check your text file and cover files for several different things.
Check over your order to confirm price and specifications.
Check cover size including spine size and bleeds.
Confirm the number of pages that matches the order.
Check for colour pages.
Check pagination.
Make sure the ISBN matches the text file and cover.
We work by printed pages and our price calculator is set up as such. A printed page is one side of the page of your book whereas a sheet is a single sheet of paper and will be 2 printed pages in your book.
Questions about printing
ISBNs come from Nielsen, the UK agency, not from us. Once you have yours, add the ISBN barcode extra when you price the book and we print a scannable barcode on the cover, or make one with our free barcode generator and place it in your own cover artwork.
We specialise in providing flexible short-run printing from just 10 copies (25 for hardbacks), allowing you to produce high-quality books without the extensive setup typically required for larger-scale printing. To see how our printing options can best serve you, please visit our Print-on-Demand page for more detailed information.
Yes. Your files stay on your book in your account, where you can replace them and order a reprint at any time. If you would rather we did not keep them, say so in the notes when you order and we delete them after printing.
All books that we print come in different shapes and sizes, paper types, cover lamination and have many different options. If you want to find out how much your book will be to print please visit our online quote calculator.
Due to our specialist equipment and the time we have invested in becoming the specialist book printer in the UK we are able to print any size book from A6 up to 310mm square. This means you can print your book at standard book sizes or you can have your book in a completely custom size.
We print two types of books: paperback books and hardback books. If you want to find out more about the types of books we offer, please see the following two pages; Paperback Book Printing - Hardback Book Printing
Hardback bookbinding is a lot more time consuming than paperbacks and requires special care and attention. We never like to rush any books and having a longer timeframe for hardback books means the end product that you receive will be the best that it can be.
We have a vast range of paper types to choose from depending on the content of your book. Our most popular paper types are below;
80gsm Opaque - Good for nonfiction books and good for keeping the costs low. Opaque 80gsm is our cheapest paper and helps with cheap book printing if you are on a budget.
100gsm Opaque - Also good for non-fiction books. As it is a heavier paper than the opaque 80gsm it is better for colour images as there will be less show through. It is more expensive than the opaque 80gsm but only by a little.
80gsm Munken Bookwove White - This is the standard paper for novels and fiction titles. It is a slightly off-white paper with a slightly rough/textured feel. It is also good for 'bulking' up the book as it is slightly thicker than the 80gsm and 100gsm opaque papers.
80gsm Munken Bookwove Cream - This is the same paper as the Bookwove White but as the name suggests, this is the cream version. Again this paper is mostly used for novels and for making the spine of your book bigger.
100gsm Recycled - A popular paper for non-fiction titles. This is our recycled paper which is a white similar to the 100gsm Opaque but has a slightly rougher feel but is smoother than the Bookwove papers.
We also offer a range of coated papers from 115gsm to 170gsm which are good for printing photographs and high-quality images. We can print a colour plate section on 115gsm coated paper and then insert it into the book. This is a great option to have the text printed on the nice Bookwove paper and have some colour images on coated paper.
If you are struggling to decide on the paper you want please visit our blog post on paper types or get in contact with us directly to discuss your options. Our interior papers are limited to the options shown in the calculator, up to 170gsm. You can also request a sample to receive a paper samples booklet.
Yes. A printed proof is optional and added to your invoice. For a hardback it is your pages bound as a paperback, plus a cover sample, so it does not show the finished hardback binding.
This depends on how the files have been set up and sent to us. Colour reproduction will be different and we will do our best to produce it to the same colours as you have had before, so please send us a sample if you want us to match. It is also recommended that you have a proof copy.
Printing and binding take place at our Exeter works. If your project has a specialist finish or another particular production requirement, ask us to confirm how it will be handled before ordering.
Paperbacks and hardbacks of every kind: novels, poetry, memoirs, family histories, photo books, children's books, notebooks, journals, manuals, magazines and zines. If the quote calculator prices it, we make it.
Absolutely, we can print any size from A6 up to 310mm square so as long as your book fits within these dimensions we will have no issues printing your book.
Yes, we quite often print full-colour books in a variety of genres. We use the latest generation of digital printing technology and our latest Ricoh colour printer is fantastic. Order a free sample pack to see the print quality for yourself.
We do offer foiling for paperback and hardback books. Our online price calculator prices foil on the spine, the front cover and the back cover, any of them or all three, each at up to 20% coverage. The front and back each need their own die, and it is included in the price. To get the best price for foiling you will want to order 100+ books.
EVA is a hot melt adhesive used for perfect binding. The actual properties of the glue allow it to be re-melted many times. This made it very efficient for the bookbinding process. EVA also has very quick set points, which allowed for short cure times before trimming could begin. EVA is considered an acceptable application for most offset papers, but it was known for causing issues with more difficult stocks.
The process for PUR in bookbinding is a little different than EVA bookbinding. The glue bond from PUR bonds to a book through a chemical reaction. The reaction causes the adhesive to draw moisture out of the air, so the application process absolutely must be applied correctly. The first generations of PUR required a long set up time, but technology has vastly improved over the past decade. PUR can have formulations attain around 80% of their green strength in as little time as a few hours.
UV coating is a process whereby a polymer resin changes from a liquid to a solid with the help of an ultraviolet light source. Lamination is a clear film placed ontop of your cover.
Questions about your quote and order
If the quote calculator prices it, we make it; what it does not price, we do not make. That means no wire-o or spiral binding, no leather or leather-look covers, no elastic closures, magnetic flaps or padded covers, no tear-out pages or sticker sheets, no spot (Pantone) inks, one paper for the inside pages apart from a colour plate section, and every copy in a run the same.
Yes. Price each book and press Add to cart, then check out once. Each book is its own parcel, so delivery is charged per book even to one address.
Yes. When you place the order, open Invoice to a company or a different person and add the name, address, purchase order number and the email for the invoice. We invoice when your book goes to print, and your books leave once it is paid.
Orders can be placed on our website via our online quote/order form here. Price your book, press Order and give the delivery address: no payment is taken now, and you upload your files afterwards from your order page. Not sure about a choice? The calculator explains each one as you go, and Ava on the site answers questions in a sentence.
Use the cover and inside-page upload links in your order confirmation or your account. They match your PDFs to the order and check them before printing. Other files or trouble uploading? Use Send us your files. Once your files are checked, we send your proof, or print straight away if you chose straight to print. We will let you know if anything needs attention.
We email your invoice from Sage once everything is confirmed, and we dispatch your books once it is paid. If you have an account with us on 30 or 60 day terms, we invoice you on those terms after dispatch.
Use the pay now button on your invoice to pay by card, or pay by bank transfer to the details on the invoice.
Printed books are zero-rated. VAT at 20% is added to delivery, and to notebooks, diaries and journals.
Yes, all quotes on our website and quotes that you receive by email will include a full-colour cover printed to one side. Lamination will be included in your quote, please check to see if it is gloss or matt lamination.
Open the book in your account and press Reprint: the price for any quantity is there, and your files are already on the book. If nothing has changed in the text or the cover there is no need to send new files. If something has, upload the changed file from the book page. New files may be chargeable, and we confirm any charge first.
Standard production takes 5 to 7 working days for paperbacks and 3 to 4 weeks for hardbacks, from proof approval. Delivery is additional. If you have a deadline, tell us before ordering so we can confirm what is achievable.
We ship books in bulk rather than fulfil individual customer orders. For bulk deliveries to several locations, add another delivery address when ordering and enter how many copies should go there. Each shipped destination is priced separately.
A perfect bound book needs at least 24 pages.
We are unable to publish any books as we are solely a book printing company.
Our minimum is 10 copies (25 for hardbacks) and there is no maximum. The unit cost falls as the run grows, so 100 or more copies gives a much lower price per book than the minimum run.
Yes. Add a printed proof copy to your order (£30 for a paperback, £65 for a hardback). We print and post one copy of your book first, and the run prints only after you approve it. The run itself starts at 10 paperbacks or 25 hardbacks. For paper and binding samples before you order, the sample pack is free.
Yes, if you order more books then the unit cost per book becomes cheaper. We have a minimum order quantity of 10 copies for paperback books and 25 copies for hardback books. At these quantities, the unit cost may be quite high. In order to get this unit cost down, we suggest having at least 50 copies of your books printed. If you were to order upwards of 250 copies the unit cost will be significantly lower.
If you are looking to have your book printed at the most affordable rate then you would want your book printed in B-format or A5 with Opaque 80gsm and a gloss laminated cover. These specifications are our standard specifications for the most economical printing.
We do our best to make sure all re-orders match the first order you have. However, colour reproduction can be difficult to match. We do keep a copy of your book cover from your previous printing run to colour match. If an exact colour match matters, add a printed proof copy to the reprint and check it before the run prints.
Your files go with your order. Use the upload link in your order confirmation email, or sign in and open the order: your cover and inside pages are checked against the order, and the Other files box on the same page takes anything else, up to 5 GB each. Files for a quote or a sample, before you have an order, go through Send us your files.
An ISBN is an International Standard Book Number. An ISBN is assigned to each separate edition and variation of a publication.
We are unable to supply ISBN's and you will need to purchase ISBNs from the International ISBN Agency. We can, however, create a barcode for your book from your purchased ISBN.
The legal deposit has been a part of English law since 1662. If you're a publisher, you need to give a copy of every UK publication you make to the British Library. Five other major UK libraries may also ask you to give them a copy.
Foil blocking, spot UV and cover flaps, all priced in our online calculator.
A free digital proof comes before printing, unless you choose straight to print. Use it to check layout and content.
We confirm proof timing after checking your files. Production starts after proof approval, and delivery is additional.
Yes. Send corrected files before approving your proof. Changes after a proof may be chargeable, and we confirm any charge first.
Do not approve it. From the proof page, upload a corrected file and a new proof follows. If the printing itself is the problem rather than the file, reply to the proof email and we put it right. We don't want to see any of our customers unhappy and we will do our best to make sure you are happy with our printing.
Questions about shipping
We use DPD and Parcelforce for all UK deliveries, usually delivered within 48 hours. We also have pallet deliveries available for larger orders. For any international deliveries, we will use the best delivery suitable for your shipment at that time.
Yes. Ireland and Europe, Northern Ireland included, is a delivery choice in the calculator, charged per carton. Anywhere else, choose Collect from Exeter and give us the delivery address when you order: we quote the carriage by weight and destination and add it to your order before anything is printed.
All deliveries will have tracking information, the delivery service has notifications that can be sent to you by email and mobile to keep you constantly updated.
All quotes completed on our website have delivery as a separate price. If you had a quote or order by email, please check to see if it is included in the email.
Absolutely, we can offer split shipping on your order to multiple addresses. Please note we are not able to ship books individually to your clients.
Absolutely, we do this for a lot of our customers. There is no extra charge for shipping with plain boxes and plain labels.
If your shipment of books is late, check your tracking details for any updates. Your order page shows the carrier and the parcel number as soon as the books leave, and says so if a promised date passes. Check the parcel with the carrier first; if it shows as delivered and you do not have it, reply to your dispatch email the same day.
Delivery is priced separately from printing. Enter your addresses and copy counts when ordering to see the charge for each destination and the total carriage. The price depends on the quantity, weight and service. International destinations outside our online rates need a quote from the team.
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Get an instant quote in under a minute, or drop us a message and we'll come back to you the next working day. If you'd rather see and feel the books we make first, order a free sample pack. Looking for the long version of any of these? Our deep-dive guides go further on proofs, bleed, CMYK, paper and binding.