Selecting the Suitable Book Printing Provider Fits Your Needs
Self-publishing a book can be an exciting journey, but choosing the right book printing service can be a challenging proposition. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a service that best suits your needs.
The Advantages of Using Multiple Book Printing Services
Using different book printing services offers self-published authors distinct benefits depending on their specific needs such as cost, print quality, format options, distribution reach, and control over the publishing process.
Higher Royalties and Control
Many self-publishing platforms, such as those integrating printing services, allow authors to earn higher royalties by eliminating traditional publisher cuts and retaining full rights to their work, including creative control over design and pricing.
Print Quality and Format Variety
Services like IngramSpark provide premium print quality with options for hardcover and paperback formats and superior binding, which some platforms like Amazon KDP lack. Authors can choose the printing specifications that best fit their book’s genre and audience expectations.
Cost and Pricing Flexibility
Some platforms like KDP have lower charges for printing and provide free uploads, while others may charge upfront fees but offer better print finishes. Authors can leverage multiple services to optimize costs versus quality.
Distribution Reach
Combining services such as KDP and IngramSpark can maximize distribution; KDP offers extensive Amazon reach and IngramSpark offers broader book trade distribution, helping authors access a wider market than relying on a single printer.
Faster Publishing Timeline
Using print-on-demand and digital self-publishing services allows authors to bring books to market quickly, sometimes within months, much faster than traditional publishing cycles.
Customization and DIY Control
Some print services emphasize author empowerment in design, layout, and finishing touches, enabling a highly personalized final product. This is reinforced by customer support that guides authors who lack printing experience.
The Considerations of Book Printing Services
When evaluating book printing services, it's essential to examine examples of books previously printed, order copies, assess printing rates/costs per unit, ask other authors about the service, and check on writer forums for tips. Technical answers to some questions may require hiring a professional typesetter or cover designer.
IngramSpark distributes to over 40,000 retailers and libraries globally, including Amazon, making it an excellent option for authors wanting to sell hard-copy books through multiple channels. IngramSpark and KDP via Amazon are the most well-known and reliable Print on Demand services.
However, KDP only allows authors to sell on Amazon, making it less ideal for authors wanting to sell on multiple platforms. Offset book printing, where a set quantity of books are produced at once, offers lower unit costs compared to print on demand, but can be problematic due to storage and distribution issues, fluctuations in demand, and high upfront costs.
Other important factors to consider when choosing a book printing service include turnaround time, binding options, paper quality, cover quality, image resolution, control over page size and layout, file format, paper sourcing, environmental impact, printer's experience in the genre, integrated sales and distribution, customer service, and budget constraints.
It's important to consider a printer's reputation for delivery and quality, operating history, and level of customer service. Inquire about sales and distribution, turnaround time, and hardback book printing capabilities. The answers to your queries can help gauge the level of customer service provided by the printer, which is crucial for bringing your book into the world.
In summary, using different book printing services strategically enables self-published authors to balance quality, cost, royalties, format variety, and distribution to best suit their goals and resources. This flexibility is a key advantage over traditional publishing, where such choices are limited or controlled by the publisher.
When choosing a book printing service, it's crucial to evaluate factors such as the variety of book formats and print quality offered by services like IngramSpark, which may exceed that of platforms like Amazon KDP. Self-publishing on multiple platforms can provide authors with a wider market reach and faster publishing timelines, as demonstrated by services like KDP for Amazon and IngramSpark for a global distribution network.
