So, you’ve poured your heart and soul into writing a book. Congratulations! Now comes the exciting prospect of getting your hard work printed and into the hands of readers. If you’re new to self-publishing, this task may seem daunting. That’s why it’s so important to work with a book printer that will make the printing process smooth and worry-free.
Here’s how a printer can become your partner in your publishing success:
Navigation and Expertise
The world of printing can be full of unfamiliar terms and technicalities, especially for an author new to self-publishing. A good print sales representative can act as your guide, offering informative consultations to answer your questions and explain the printing process step-by-step before it begins.
From there, an experienced printing team will advise you on everything from paper selection and binding options to file formats and printing schedules. They can also help you navigate industry standards and ensure your book meets all the technical specifications for distribution. There are a lot of potential hiccups along the way when taking a book through the printing and distribution process – a quality printer can help you save time, avoid headaches and produce a high-quality, professional-looking book.
Quality Control
As an author, entrusting your book to a printer can feel like a leap of faith. For your peace of mind, a good book printer will work hand-in-hand with you to ensure a high-quality, error-free product. You will be given digital proofs of your book to fully review and approve before the print run begins. This is a very important step: pay close attention because mistakes are far less costly if caught at this stage rather than after printing is complete! Specifically, look for typos, errors in layout, trim marks and any other formatting before it’s too late.
Reputable printers use only high-quality materials and advanced printing technologies to ensure your book looks and feels professional. After all, this is your masterpiece – the final printed book should fill you with pride every time you pick it up.
Design and Layout Support
Don’t have design experience? No problem! Some printers offer design services and can recommend qualified design partners. This takes the pressure off you to create a print-ready file and ensures your book’s cover and interior layout are visually appealing and translate well to physical form. Aspects of book design to consider include page layout, typography, cover art and much more. All these factors can have a huge effect on how your book is perceived and whether it sells – if you’re not confident in your skills as a designer, consider leaving it to the professionals.
Inventory Management and Distribution
Once your book is fully printed and bound, the work isn’t done just yet – have you considered distribution? Many printing companies offer warehousing and fulfillment solutions, storing your books and shipping them directly to retailers or customers upon order. If you’re just getting started as a self-publisher, you may not have the space or time to handle storage and distribution. This frees you up to focus on marketing and promotion while letting the printer handle the logistics. Plus, an experienced printing company will be well-versed in mailing systems, ensuring your books get to their destinations as quickly as possible.
Cost Management and Flexibility
Budgeting is crucial for new publishers. Reputable printers understand this and offer a variety of printing options to suit your needs and budget. They’ll ensure you’re well informed of all paper, binding and finishing options to help you find the perfect specifications to fit your budget. Whether you choose a smaller print run for initial marketing or a larger quantity for wider distribution, an established book printer can provide competitive pricing and flexible solutions.
Building a Long-Term Partnership
Assuming you find the perfect printer, there’s a good chance your relationship won’t end after just a single project. If you plan on continuing to self-publish in the future, look for a company that values long-term relationships. Walsworth can become your trusted advisor, offering guidance and support as you grow your readership and write more bestsellers. An ongoing partnership ensures consistency and quality for all future book projects.
Partner With Walsworth for Self-Publishing Success
The printing process doesn’t have to be a struggle for new self-publishers. By partnering with a reputable book printer like Walsworth, you gain access to expertise, quality control and valuable support services. That way, you can focus on your passion – writing and publishing fantastic books, while the printer handles the technical aspects and ensures your book reaches readers quickly and in a professional and polished format.
Remember, a good printer is more than just a service provider; they’re your partner in bringing your literary vision to life. Contact Walsworth today to learn more about our print and design services and to see for yourself why our family-owned printing company has been successful for over 87 years.