A Guide To Hardback Book Printing
Although the digital revolution has seen many people do their reading online, traditional books still hold great appeal for many – the tactile experience of a printed book – especially those with hardback covers – add to the reading experience. Hardback books offer an aesthetic quality both singularly and as a collection when arranged on a shelf – here is a quick guide to self-publishing your book in hardback, and some aspects to consider:
Format And Size
You will need to define the size of the book you are publishing – normal choices would be between A4 or A5 with your preferred option of page format – which is better suited to the type of book you are printing – landscape or portrait?
Paper Options
Consider which paper options you would like to utilise – thicker, heavier pages provide a more luxurious feeling and appearance, but consider the overall size and thickness of the book you want to produce – whilst always taking into account the cost, of course! Thinner pages can help maximise the available space. Decide whether you want full colour pages or black and white and which is better for the content of your book, and consider whether your book would look better with single or double-sided printed pages?
Cover Design
There are options for designing your cover – you can, of course, do it yourself, but keep in mind that the cover is a big ‘selling point’ for your book and attracts initial attention, so you may want to consider speaking to a print company who can offer cover design advice and expertise. Whichever option you choose, once your cover design is complete, you can select the desired finish – matte or gloss laminated.
Binding
When it comes to book binding there a few different options and styles from which to choose. When you are self-publishing, you need to consider the type of book you are producing – and select the most appropriate book binding finish based on the book content and category. There are different specialised options for hardback books, from ornate saddle-stitched binding to techniques such as ring, spiral or wire binding.
Online Book Printing Company
Select a preferred online printing service provider and sign-in to their website – from there you can upload your PDF file containing your completed written work. Ensure that the PDF file is in the correct format and dimensions and use only 100% black ink. Remember to allow space at the page edges for trimming and keep all the images and text within the boundary guidelines to prevent any loss of content.
Durability And Value
One of the obvious benefits of a hardback book over a paperback is the durability of a hard cover – the stronger materials used, and thicker paper can withstand years of handling, whilst the solid cover provides great protection from dust and any adverse environmental conditions.
Aesthetics
Another advantage of hardback book covering is the greater aesthetic appearance – they offer a more ‘expensive’ look, and designs can be quite lavish and demonstrate real craftsmanship. The tactile nature of a hardback book is also more appealing – they feel substantial in your hands! Hardcovers lie flat easily, enhancing the reading experience and are often preferred by book collectors, not only for their look and quality, but they can increase in value over time and offer good investment potential.
Different Formats
The book printing business offers multiple opportunities for the same book – by publishing your book in hardback initially, it is often a practice to republish in a less expensive paperback version some months later, and then again as an audiobook at another future date.
Pricing
It is essential to weigh-up the cost of hardcover book printing and binding against potential numbered sales – establish the range of prices that would keep your book competitive whilst remaining profitable. Investigate similar book genre and sizes available in bookstores and online – in some cases it may not be viable to choose hardcover over softcover book printing – the costs of the printing and binding itself need to be considered, as well as the likelihood of bookstores initially ordering large numbers of copies, especially if this is your first book or you do not yet have an established reputation.
Whatever the content and style of your book, working with an established online book printing company to self-publish in hardback, can deliver you a beautiful and professional printed work worthy of the hard work you have put into it!
Consult with a reputable online book printing company for advice – whether your book lends itself to full colour book printing or in a simple black-and-white text, a company established in the book printing business will have experienced and knowledgeable staff to guide you to your best options.
Enigma Print & Design
If you would like more information about hardback book printing, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can call us on 01322559224. Alternatively, you can fill out a contact form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.