Blog

Discover the benefits of digital printing: fast turnaround, cost savings, and unmatched customization for unique touches on every page. Our advanced technology and dedication to quality set us apart, making us the ideal partner for both new and experienced authors and businesses. Our blog offers essential tips, the latest industry news, and inspiration to help turn your publishing ideas into reality.

Laptop on a desk

How Much Does It Cost to Print a Book?

The cost of printing a book is a common concern for new authors and publishers. Prices can vary widely based on several factors, like the number of copies you need, how many pages the book has, and the printing method you choose (digital vs offset). Knowing these costs is key if you want to bring…
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Picture of different files

Essential Guide to File Formats for Printing

Understanding file formats is crucial when preparing files for printing. Each format has its strengths and weaknesses depending on the type of print job, resolution, and desired output quality. Below is a breakdown of the most common print file formats, their ideal uses, and tips for ensuring the best results. 1. PDF – Portable Document…
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Offset Printing vs Digital Printing

Offset and digital printing each have their benefits, depending on your needs. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences in cost, speed, and quality to help you pick the best option for your project. What Is Offset Printing? Offset printing is a century-old technique ideal for large-scale commercial projects requiring high-quality output and…
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Printer, printing a photo

DPI in Printing, What is DPI? Tips and Tricks for Print

If there is one key concept you should focus on to increase the quality of your images it is DPI. DPI stands for “dots per inch,” and it’s a crucial factor in how sharp and clear your printed images and text will appear. What is DPI and Why Does It Matter? DPI, or dots per…
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How to Create Print-Ready Artwork in Canva

Creating designs in Canva that are ready for printing is important for designers, marketers, and business owners. Canva’s simple tools make it easy to craft professional-looking print materials. However, to ensure your designs print correctly, you need to pay attention to some key details. This guide will show you how to prepare your Canva artwork…
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Stack of paper on scales

The Ultimate Guide to Paper Weight and Thickness for Printing

Paper weight and thickness are very important in printing any material, from books and booklets to business cards and flyers. Knowing about paper weight and thickness helps you get the results you want and will help your project stand out. Understanding Paper Weight Paper weight shows how heavy or dense the paper is. It relates…
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Grayscale Printing vs Monochrome vs Black and White Printing

Grayscale printing is a popular printing technique that uses shades of gray to represent images without colour. This method influences how we perceive visual information, offering unique esthetic and practical advantages in certain applications. Understanding grayscale printing is essential for anyone involved in design, photography, or document production. This comprehensive guide explores the concept of…
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What is Duplex Printing? Double Sided vs Single Sided Printing

Duplex printing is a feature that allows you to print on both sides of a sheet of paper automatically, also known as double-sided printing. With duplex printing, your printer handles the printing on both sides, saving you from printing on one side of the sheet and flipping it around and putting it back into the…
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What Does Collate Mean in Printing? A Comprehensive Guide

Simply put, collating is organising multiple pages or copies of a document in a specific order. Collation is key in various printing tasks, from creating booklets and printing books to assembling reports. This guide will explore the meaning of collation in printing options, explain the differences between collated and uncollated printing, and discuss how to…
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The Art of Short-Run Book Printing: Pros, Cons, and Benefits

Short-run book printing has become increasingly popular among self-publishers, small publishing houses, and authors seeking to test the market or create limited-edition works. This approach to printing involves producing a smaller number of books, typically between 50 and 2000 copies. In this article, we will delve into the art of short-run book printing, discussing its…
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The Importance of Cover Design in Book Printing

In the world of publishing, a book’s cover serves as its first and most powerful marketing tool. Though the saying goes, “never judge a book by its cover,” readers inevitably do. Whether it’s a quick scroll through an online store or a glance at a bookstore shelf, the cover design is often the deciding factor…
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Eco-friendly Book Printing Options in the UK

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in book printing as the industry faces growing pressure to reduce its environmental impact. Traditional book printing contributes to deforestation, waste, and carbon emissions, but there are greener alternatives that can help authors and publishers make more responsible choices. Environmental Concerns in Book Printing Conventional printing uses virgin paper, which…
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A Guide to Copyright your Book and Legal Considerations

Congratulations on completing your book and preparing to print your masterpiece! As a UK author, you want to ensure that your book is legally protected and follows all copyright laws. Please don’t fret, as we have created a fun and easy guide to help you through the legalities of book printing in the UK. Print…
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Tips to Create a Luxury Hardback Book

The world of luxury hardback book design is an art form in itself. There are several essential tips to remember when printing a hardback book that truly stands out from the crowd and captures readers’ attention. From understanding the basics of design to mastering the art of cover design, enhancing the reader’s experience with additional…
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The Evolution of Book Printing: From Gutenberg to Digital

The evolution of book printing is a testament to the power of human ingenuity and innovation. From Gutenberg's groundbreaking use of movable type to the rise of digital technology, each stage of this journey has brought new possibilities for how we create, share, and engage with written content. As we reflect on the past and look towards the future, we are reminded that the world of books is constantly evolving - and that our love for the written word remains as strong as ever.
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Sustainable Printing: Efforts to Reduce Environmental Impact

Printing sustainably is not just a trend, it's a responsibility. With the world facing environmental challenges, businesses are embracing eco-friendly printing practices to reduce their carbon footprint. Here are some inspiring efforts that are making a difference!
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Understanding Paper Types and their Impact on Your Book

Your book is more than just words on a page. It's an expression of your soul, a reflection of your passion, and a testament to your creativity. That's why understanding paper types and their impact on your book is crucial. It's not just about choosing the right weight, texture, or color. It's about choosing the paper that will enhance your message, elevate your brand, and inspire your readers. So don't settle for anything less than perfection. Your book deserves it.
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UK Self-Publishing Costs: Profits Explained

Self-publishing can be a viable option for UK authors, but understanding the costs and potential profits is crucial. From editing to marketing, here's a breakdown of the economics involved in self-publishing.
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How to Use The Colour Wheel

The colour wheel is a fundamental tool for understanding colour relationships and creating harmonious colour schemes in art, design, and other creative disciplines. Developed as a visual representation of colour theory, the colour wheel simplifies the complex world of colour by illustrating how colours relate to one another and can be combined to achieve balance…
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The Role of Print in a Digital World: Why Tangible Materials Still Matter

In an age dominated by digital media and communication, it may seem as if print is becoming obsolete. However, despite the growth of digital platforms, printed materials, especially paperback and hardback books, continue to hold a vital role in various industries and personal lives. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of printed materials in…
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Top Mistakes to Avoid when Printing Your Book

The journey of writing a book can be a thrilling and fulfilling experience, but the final step – printing – holds its own set of challenges. It’s essential to pay close attention to the details when printing your book, as even the smallest mistakes can impact its overall quality and appeal to readers. In this…
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Starting a Successful Publishing Company in 2024

If you are a writer looking to be a self-published author or an entrepreneur looking to get into the publishing industry, you need to know how to start a publishing company. A publishing company is a business that creates, prints and distributes written works to the public. These written works include books, magazines, novels, children’s…
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6 Most Effective eBook Marketing Strategies You Need To Try In 2024

A good eBook can help establish your credibility, deepen your connection with your audience, and grow your email list by leaps and bounds. Of course, you need people to read your book, which is why eBook marketing is as essential as writing the book itself.  This guide will discuss some of the most effective eBook…
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Typesetting and Book Design

Have you just written a book and need some help getting it ready for print?  Typesetting is the art of laying out your text and/or images onto the pages of your book. There are multiple ways of doing this and many different software suites that can help you but, it is not necessarily something you…
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Glossary of Printing Terms

When it comes to printing, there are many words and phrases used by our team that you may not have come across before. From different paper types to knowing what “bleed” means, it’s helpful to grasp the basic terminology to ensure your project turns out just the way you envision it. To make things easier,…
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Top 20 Facts – The Best Facts about Books

Do you want to know the most interesting book facts? I think it’s a safe fact to say that most people enjoy snuggling up with a good book in front of the fire on a grizzly day. It sounds like a perfect day to us and probably one for most of you readers. Books allow…
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Top 10 Christmas Books

The other day we decided to ask our staff members and families what their favourite Christmas books were. We were surprised when most of them couldn’t think of any. We then asked them what their favourite Christmas film was, and as expected, answers came in abundance. What they didn’t know, however, is that many of…
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Book Sizes

Choosing a Hardback or Paperback Book Size

What are the main paperback and hardback book sizes to choose from? Books come in many different shapes and sizes for paperback and hardback. It is one of the biggest decisions you will have to make for your project. Not only do you have to think about how your book will feel in your hand…
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paperback book vs ebook

eBooks vs Printed Books – Which is better?

In the early 2000s, eBooks were seen as a major threat to traditional printed books. Many predicted that they would soon replace physical books altogether. However, recent trends have shown a decline in eBook sales while printed book sales have steadily increased. In 2009, eBooks outsold printed books on Amazon and peaked in 2014. But…
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Hardback vs Paperback Books Which is Best?

What is the better book for you, Hardcover or Paperback? In this post, we will try to answer the question, what is better, hardcover vs paperback? We will review various points for both books, help you understand their differences, and help you find the right answer for your book. Here are some of the topics…
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World’s Famous Libraries

These world-famous libraries are some of the most beautiful, unique and spectacular buildings in the world. From the old to the new, the busy to the simplistic, the grand to the quaint. There’s a library out there that is sure to intrigue every person’s mind. We’ve compiled a list of some of the worlds famous…
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How to Format a Book for Printing

Welcome to our guide on formatting a book for printing, where our aim is to help you achieve a professional look for your book while ensuring its content remains accessible and engaging for readers. It’s important to strike the right balance in formatting – simplicity is key to avoid overwhelming your audience, yet there’s ample…
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Formatting a Book in Microsoft Word

Formatting a book in Microsoft Word doesn’t have to be confusing. Follow our book formatting guide to get your manuscript or book looking professional ready to get it into a format ready for book printing. We often get customers asking for advice on how to set up the page size, margins and other typesetting questions…
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Writing a book

Traditional Publishing vs Self-Publishing

Writing a book is a great achievement, but what do you do when it actually comes to publishing your book? Nowadays, many options exist for authors looking to publish their books, which can become confusing, especially with all the self-publishing services. We look into the two main ways, which are both rather popular with authors…
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History of Book Printing

What we call a book today is very different from what our ancestors would have called a book.  The history of book printing starts with tablets, scrolls and sheets of papyrus.  After these, we had elaborate, hand-bound and expensive books known as codices. These eventually gave way to press-printed books which lead to the mass-printed…
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