Nothing beats the joy of holding a printed copy of the book in the hand of an author. Transforming words, ideas, and creativity into a tangible form is a worthwhile process. However, achieving a polished, professional-looking print version of your work requires more than merely typing content.
The entire procedure requires precise decision-making for every step to make the printed book look exceptional. In this guide, we reveal eight secrets to flawless book printing that every author and printer should know. Whether you’re self-publishing or collaborating with a traditional publisher, these insights will help your work stand out.
8 Secrets to Flawless Book Printing for DIY Self-Publishing Authors
- Determine the Right Paper Stock
Determining the right type of paper is one of the most crucial decisions in book printing. It will greatly impact the quality, look, and feel of your work. Your readers may also perceive the value of your publication based on it. Therefore, carefully choose its finish, weight, and opacity.
Choose between Matte versus Glossy finish according to the genre you’ve worked on. For instance, consider a subtler, non-reflective appearance for novels and non-fiction books. On the other hand, glossy paper is the ideal choice for image-heavy content, such as photos or children’s books.
Paperweight influences the overall durability and quality. Standard trade paperbacks generally use 50 to 70 lb paper, while 80 lb or higher is perfect for hardcovers. The opacity of the sheet helps to figure out how much print will appear on the other side of the page. Prefer high-opacity to reduce the chances of bleed-through. This choice is way more important for double-sided printing.
- Look into Formatting and Typography
Another secret to flawless book printing to make your work stand out is its formatting and typography. Whatever choices you make will impact the readability and visual appeal. Skilled printing engineers of a reputable Gulf publishing company suggest using industry-standard fonts, like Times New Roman or Garamond. Serif fonts are another suitable choice. However, avoid overly decorative typographic choices.
The average size is typically around 10 to 12 points in this case, whereas line spacing should be 1.15 to 1.5. Maintain consistency in margins and gutter to prevent your text from looking overcrowded or getting lost in the binding.
Keep in mind that any blunder in the formatting can undermine your work’s professionalism. Use software like Scrivener or Adobe InDesign to get precise layout control.
- Turn Your Cover Design into an Irresistible Masterpiece
Your book’s cover is your first chance to attract your potential readers. It can significantly impact their buying decision. Hiring a well-versed cover designer will make a huge difference in conveying the essence of your manuscript via exterior.
Careful integration of colours can evoke the right emotions and align with your genre. For instance, darker hues work perfectly for mystery themes, while softer tones are ideal for the romantic genre. Make the title bold and readable, even at a smaller size.
Maintain simplicity, as it is more impactful. Take proper time to design the cover design, as your potential readers will judge a book based on its cover.
- Perfect the Book Spine and Back Cover
The spine and back cover are as game-changing as the front one, particularly for physical books displayed on bookshelves. Therefore, don’t neglect it if you want to boost your sales. Display your book’s title, author name, and publisher logo (if applicable) on the spine’s design. Calculate the spine well, as any misalignment can lead to a major blunder during printing.
Incorporate an attention-grabbing blurb that entices your readership to pick up your work. Include reviews to boost your credibility. Don’t forget to add a barcode and ISBN for retail distribution.
- Get Familiar with the Binding Options
There are numerous binding options, and the one you choose will affect the durability of your book. Select the one that aligns with your work’s purpose, budget, and target audience. Preferring paperbacks will make your work accessible to general readers, whereas hardcovers are more appealing to collectors.
If you’re opting for paperback, then the perfect binding option goes well with it. It is cost-effective and glues all the paper to the spine, but it is not as durable as other choices. On the contrary, case binding goes well with hardcovers to achieve high-quality finishes with pages glued and sewn into the hardcover. This one is comparatively on the pricier side but offers better value.
For those publishing a children’s or other book with under 48 pages, saddle stitching is an ideal option. In this type, the pages are folded and stapled alongside the spine.
- Let Your Manuscript Go Through Multiple Editing Rounds
You may have edited your manuscript multiple times before printing it. But one of the secrets to flawless book printing is to get a copy of your work and further refine it. Hire an experienced proofreader who fixes grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors may have missed. Their expertise will also let them maintain consistent vocabulary, style, and layout.
You should go through a printed copy and analyze it carefully. Check for any flaws within the formatting, page quality, binding, cover alignment, and inside text. Sometimes, what looks appealing on the screen doesn’t translate well to the print. Consequently, scrutinizing the physical copy of your work becomes necessary.
- Partner with a Quality Printer
Here comes one of the most pivotal steps that can make or break the quality of your printed copies. Hire a professional, reliable, and affordable book printing service in Bahrain. Ask for their samples if they haven’t provided on their platform and vigilantly analyze them. Check for their positive reviews, service offerings, and customer service to invest your money in a suitable agency.
There are two printing options to choose from:
Offset printing is perfect for bulk quantity, high-quality, plus cost-effective print runs. It allows numerous customization choices, like special ink finishes or embossing.
Print-on-demand is a convenient choice, preferable for self-publishers who need to start with smaller quantities.
- Offer Final Touches and Features
Consider gold, silver, or metallic foils to give your cover a lavish final touch. It is trending for writing book titles and author names. Want a raised effect for your titles, logos, or design elements? Opt for embossing or debossing to create a recessed or raised texture appropriate for elevating the visual appeal.
Dust jacket is an additional and optional choice you can provide for your book’s cover design. Go for it if you’re publishing collector’s editions. Another secret is to use gilded edges or colours on your pages. Nevertheless, these special features will increase your total printing cost. But they’re worth considering if you want to offer premium products to your elite audience.
Conclusion
Printing a book involves careful attention to detail and multiple steps, all contributing to the final product’s quality. By following these eight secrets, you can ensure that your printed publication is flawless and stands out in the market. Keep in mind that your book is an extension of your work and creativity.
A high-quality printed book enhances your credibility, provides a delightful experience for readers, and increases the likelihood of success. Take your time, invest in quality, and enjoy the reward of holding a beautiful, professionally printed copy of your book.