Some clients come to PPG wanting us to help them design and publish hardcover books they can also sell online. This is possible. But there are limitations with print-on-demand (POD) books, particularly when it comes to endsheets endpapers endleaves. You can only produce this feature using a traditional offset printing press and manual binding process. In this post, I’ll touch on why this is the case.
As you can see above, one side of each folded piece of paper is glued to the insides of the front and back covers. This is what creates endsheets. It is a careful manual binding process that must be completed by a person. As such, it can’t be done by a POD printer. Digital POD printers are designed to mechanically print and bind individual books quickly.
POD Limitations [Endsheets Endpapers Endleaves]
Here’s another POD limitation. As I discussed in a past post regarding book trim sizes, digital printers can only handle certain paper sizes and weights. Because of that, you’re limited to certain book trim sizes, binding types, and paper stocks/colours if you wish to sell POD books online (which most of us do nowadays). Digital printers simply cannot handle the thicker paper stock that is used to create printed endsheets as illustrated below.
When it comes to your book binding options, it is possible to produce a POD case-wrapped hardcover. But you cannot print anything on the inside of POD book covers. Nor can you insert endsheets with a different (thicker) paper stock than the book’s interior pages.
If you wish to have a traditional case-wrapped hardcover book created with printed endsheets inside, you can have this. A traditional printer in your area can print it for you. You just won’t be able to sell it online. You’ll have to sell those books direct. That said, you can also hire one of our graphic designers to produce a second POD version of your book that can be sold online. It will be almost identical to the traditionally-printed book; but the interior paper will be thinner, and there will be no endsheet included. It’s up to you.
You might consider syndicating this content on your own blog. If you do, make sure to attribute the original source so neither of us gets dinged on the SEO front. You can do that by including this line at the bottom of the article: This content first appeared on the PPG Publisher’s Blog and has been republished here with permission.
Why blend e-learning and classroom learning tools together on one platform?
Why blend e-learning and classroom learning tools together on one platform? Because everyone learns differently. This is a great way to appeal to a broader audience of learners.
In 2016, I travelled to Hua Hin, Thailand, to study and obtain a TESOL certification in a classroom setting. Following course completion, I taught English as a second language at a school in Bangkok for one term. This was a lifelong dream realized, and I’m so glad I did it. In fact, I shared this powerful experience with dozens more people from around the world. I gained many new friends and fond memories during that month in Hua Hin. Every time I think about it, I smile.
The Pros and Cons of E-Learning and Classroom Learning
One of my closest friends from that time is a fellow Canadian named Christine. She not only studied the TESOL course in our Hua Hin classroom. Actually, a month earlier, she had studied the same course via XploreAsia‘s online learning portal. She said the online course had been a good primer for what was to come. But she enjoyed the classroom setting so much more. Here are some common thoughts about the pros and cons of each learning style that echo Christine’s perspective:
E-Learning Pros and Cons
Pros:
– self-paced, flexible scheduling
– student-centred instead of instructor-centred
– flexible location and content (study with anyone around the world)
– unlimited access to digital course materials
– information is easily stored on a cloud and accessible from anywhere
Cons:
– lack of immediate, personalized feedback
– no one else around to bounce ideas off for inspiration
Classroom Learning Pros and Cons
Pros:
– feedback sharing with the instructor and other students
– shared energy and ideas is motivational
– sense of community in a social environment
– close friendships formed with other students
– printed materials (e.g., booklets, certificates, diplomas, awards) for students to take away and display on home or office walls
Cons:
– instructor-centred instead of student-centred
– scheduling and location constraints
– more expensive lesson delivery model (printing costs)
Companies like XploreAsia are smart to offer both e-learning and classroom learning options for students. But I’ll take it a step further than that. As someone who produces both online content and print materials for a wide variety of clients, I say don’t offer both separately; blend them together to ensure continuity in branding and course materials. You’ll reach both audiences more effectively and efficiently this way.
Why Blend E-Learning and Classroom Learning Tools?
Just as some students prefer a social classroom setting to a student-centred e-learning setting, there are still others who prefer to hold physical materials in their hands. They want to write with a pen, feel the paper as they turn the pages of a book. For these people, the receipt of a physical certificate of completion or award is a more fulfilling conclusion to all their hard work than a virtual report card on a computer screen. But there are even more great reasons to blend the two tools.
Make Your Tools Screen-ready and Print-ready
Many people create their own training manuals, booklets, worksheets, or other marketing materials using programs like Microsoft Publisher. They may save .PDFs of these files to their websites for long-distance learning students to download and print locally. Unfortunately, they’re often perplexed and frustrated when these documents look different in printed form than on their computer screens.
Colours are complicated. Professional documents require more finesse to ensure proper printing—to ensure the branding continuity that all businesses want. Since most educational institutions use digital printers, and most individuals use ink jets at home, long-distance learning materials should be designed to print well on both. The best way to ensure this is to hire a professional graphic designer who understands printing to produce these print-ready .PDF files. Unfortunately, not every designer does.
Work with Professionals Who Understand Both Worlds
When you put your entire e-learning and classroom learning program into the hands of people who understand both worlds, you’ll be dazzled by the results. So will your students.
When one team designs all the artwork for your ebooks, audiobooks, and print materials plus helps you with writing, editing, and every other part of the publishing process, things will run more smoothly and efficiently for you. When that same team is highly experienced with both profitable online selling plus all the nuances of professional graphic design and all types of printing, you’ll save time and money in the long run. You’ll earn more, too.
Your Personal Library of Blended E-Learning and Classroom Learning Tools
Over the next year, I’ll be producing a variety of books covering all the topics represented in the icons above. These materials will contain ideas for how you can blend your current e-learning and classroom learning tools in cost-effective ways, so you can reach more students.
I’ll cover audiobooks, ebooks, paperbacks, podcasting, and webinars. Each lesson will also contain some great print-related ideas, including branded items you may want to offer on your online store along with printable study materials. You’ll also receive advice on how each item should be designed to ensure it’s screen-ready and print-ready for every student.
You might consider syndicating this content on your own blog. If you do, make sure to attribute the original source so neither of us gets dinged on the SEO front. You can do that by including this line at the bottom of the article: This content first appeared on the PPG Publisher’s Blog and has been republished here with permission.
What is the difference between offset printing and digital printing?
It used to be that, whenever a book was published, there was automatically a large quantity of 1,000 or more copies printed. All these books were then stored away in large warehouses by the publisher and/or its distributor(s). Long run printing was done because there was only one type of printer available to publishers back then: offset. An offset printing press is “old-school printing” in that it uses liquid ink, is the most cost-effective option for higher print quantities, and offers better colour control than today’s digital printers do. The downside is that offset presses cannot be used for short runs. This is because the set-up cost is far too high to print only a few copies at a reasonable price.
What is the difference between offset printing and digital printing?
Today’s publishers (and self-publishers) have more choices available to them. If you want to print 1,000+ books straightaway and pay the lowest possible cost per unit, you can still use offset printing. Alternatively, you can choose to print smaller quantities of books using two different digital printing solutions: print-on-demand (POD) and short run printing.
A digital printer is what every business has in its office. These printers use dry toner rather than liquid ink and can run smaller quantities at a cost-effective price. The turnaround time for digital printing tends to be faster than offset. This is not only because of the smaller quantities but also the quicker set-up time for each job.
The difference between the digital printer at your office and one you’ll find at a professional print shop? The latter offers “bigger, stronger, faster” technology. Also, it is run by trained operators who know exactly which settings to use for each individual print job.
What is print-on-demand (POD) printing?
Ecommerce retailers, such as Amazon, utilize POD and short run digital technologies to sell physical books online. In other words, they won’t print and store any physical copies of your paperback book in a large warehouse anywhere. Instead, they’ll store only the digital cover and interior files that you’ve uploaded to their site. And they will print, bind, and ship only as many copies as someone buys from them at any given time. This saves you from having to print any upfront copies whatsoever. If someone buys ten copies of your book, ten copies will be printed, bound, and shipped to that buyer. If another person buys only one, then Amazon will print, bind, and ship only one—hence the term “print-on-demand.”
You might consider syndicating this content on your own blog. If you do, make sure to attribute the original source so neither of us gets dinged on the SEO front. You can do that by including this line at the bottom of the article: This content first appeared on the PPG Publisher’s Blog and has been republished here with permission.
Why did my paperback print in a different colour than what I saw on the computer screen? Colours are much more complicated than you may realize. How something looks on your computer screen may look completely different in printed format. There are many different reasons why.
Why did my paperback print in a different colour than what I saw on the computer screen?
RGB versus CMYK Colours
For starters, RGB (red, green, blue) colours are what you see on your computer screen. They are created using light. CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) colours are created by mixing inks/toners together in varying percentages.
When you are creating an ebook only, it’s okay to use RGB colours in your design. But if you plan to also print a paperback or hardcover version of your book, you should design it using CMYK colours. Otherwise, your printer may not be able to match the colours you’ve chosen since printers have a smaller colour gamut available than computer screens do.
Coated Paper Versus Uncoated Paper
Yet another thing that can affect the way your colour will appear after it’s printed is paper stock. In fact, the same colour can look completed different when it is printed on coated paper versus uncoated paper. I show examples of this inside 3 Book Printing Tips for Indie Authors: Consider This Before Printing Any Books.
Digital Colour Versus Offset Colour
A digital printer is what every business has in its office. These printers use dry toner rather than liquid ink and can run smaller quantities at a cost-effective price. An offset printing press is “old-school printing” in that it uses liquid ink, is the most cost-effective option for higher print quantities, and generally offers better colour control than today’s digital printers do.
Another thing that can affect how your colour appears in print is the type of printer being used. Digital prints will usually appear more “shiny” and bright whereas offset prints will appear slightly duller. This is because toner is glossy whereas ink is not.
You might consider syndicating this content on your own blog. If you do, make sure to attribute the original source so neither of us gets dinged on the SEO front. You can do that by including this line at the bottom of the article: This content first appeared on the PPG Publisher’s Blog and has been republished here with permission.
Every book is a little bit different. But this project timeline template will help you guesstimate how much time it will take to publish your book. It is essentially the same process for all books: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children’s books, et cetera. But some books will require all the below steps (e.g., non-fiction books require indexing) while others won’t.
Project Timeline Template for Book Publishers (Project Management)
Traditional Project Timeline Template for Book Publishers
Below is the approximate amount of time it takes to publish a paperback book the traditional way. For a 30,000-word non-fiction book, you can expect the entire process to take around four months. If your book is twice as large (e.g., 60,000+ words), then expect to double the amount of time it will take each person to complete his or her duties within the project. Plus, you can add up to another four weeks if you plan to print any books once the publishing process itself is complete.
Title of the Book: Sample Non-Fiction Book
Author Name(s): Jane Doe
Genre: non-fiction
Format: paperback
Trim Size: 6″ x 9″
Word Count: 30,000
Picture Count: up to 10 interior graphics automatically included in each graphic design package
Colour or B/W Interior: b/w
WORK-MADE-FOR-HIRE VENDORS
PPG Publishing Services (Project Manager)
Copy editor
Fact checker
Indexer
Graphic designer
Proofreader
PROJECT TIMELINE
Order
Vendor/Author(s)
Project Duties
Deadline
1
Author
Order publishing package (prepay)
June 26, 2017
2
Author
Digitally sign publishing agreement and submit to PPG
June 26, 2017
3
Author
Send Production Questionnaire to PPG
June 26, 2017
4
Author
Submit manuscript and interior graphics to PPG
June 26, 2017
5
Author
Submit cover text and graphics to PPG
June 26, 2017
6
PPG
Order ISBN & barcode
June 26, 2017
7
PPG
Submit contracts to PPG vendors
June 26, 2017
8
ALL Vendors
All vendors return signed contracts and initial invoices
June 26, 2017
9
PPG
50% deposits sent to vendors
June 27, 2017
10
PPG
Send manuscript to copy editor
June 28, 2017
11
Editor
Copy editing
July 11, 2017
12
Editor
Return copy edited manuscript to PPG
July 12, 2017
13
PPG
Review and send copy edited manuscript to author for approval
July 12, 2017
14
Author
Finish reviewing copy edited manuscript
July 18, 2017
15
Author
Return reviewed/approved copy edited manuscript to PPG
July 19, 2017
16
PPG
Send ISBN and barcode to graphic designer for cover
July 20, 2017
17
PPG
Send graphics and copy edited manuscript to designer
July 20, 2017
18
Designer
Complete and send two sample cover/interior designs to PPG
July 22, 2017
19
PPG
Review and send the two sample cover/interior designs to author
July 23, 2017
20
Author
Choose one cover design and one interior design and let PPG know
July 25, 2017
21
PPG
Let designer know author’s choice of cover/interior design
July 25, 2017
22
Designer
Design cover and interior of book
August 7, 2017
23
Designer
Send first round .PDF proofs of cover and interior to PPG
August 8, 2017
24
PPG
Check over first round .PDF proofs and then send to author
August 8, 2017
25
Author
Complete first proofing round
August 14, 2017
26
Author
Send changes (if applicable) back to PPG
August 15, 2017
27
PPG
Check author’s comments and send first round changes back to designer
August 15, 2017
28
Designer
Complete changes and send next .PDF proofs to PPG
August 22, 2017
29
PPG
Check over .PDF proofs and then send to author
August 22, 2017
30
Author
Complete second proofing round
August 28, 2017
31
Author
Send changes (if applicable) or approval back to PPG
August 29, 2017
32
PPG
Check author’s comments and send second round changes/approval back to designer
August 29, 2017
33
Designer
Complete changes and send next .PDF proof to PPG
September 4, 2017
34
PPG
Check over .PDF proofs and then send back to author for approval
September 4, 2017
35
Author
Review and send approval back to PPG
September 5, 2017
36
PPG
Send approved .PDF interior to Indexer
September 5, 2017
37
Indexer
Complete index of the interior
September 18, 2017
38
Indexer
Send index in Word.doc format back to PPG
September 19, 2017
39
PPG
Review and forward index to designer to insertion into the .PDF
September 19, 2017
40
Designer
Insert index into .PDF
September 20, 2017
41
Designer
Return print-ready .PDF of interior and .jpeg of cover to PPG
September 20, 2017
42
PPG
Submit print-ready files to printer and order hard copy proof
September 21, 2017
43
PPG
Order hard copy proof for proofreader (Can take up to two weeks to receive this from the printer.)
October 5, 2017
44
PPG
Send suggested retail price to author for approval
October 5, 2017
45
Author
Reply to PPG with chosen retail price for book.
October 6, 2017
46
Proofreader
Complete professional proofread of hard copy proof
October 18, 2017
47
Proofreader
Return proofread hard copy proof to PPG
October 19, 2017
48
PPG
If more changes, submit to designer to complete changes and mail hard copy proof to author
October 19, 2017
49
Designer
Complete proofreader changes and submit updated .PDF proof to PPG
October 23, 2017
50
PPG
Review and send .PDF to author for review along with hard copy proof
October 23, 2017
51
Author
Compare hard proof to new .PDF proof and send final sign-off to PPG
October 25, 2017
52
PPG
Request all final-approved working and finished files back from designer
October 26, 2017
53
Designer
Send all final working and finished files back to PPG
October 27, 2017
54
PPG
Send author all final working and finished files
October 27, 2017
55
PPG
Submit final files to printer/online distributor(s)
October 27, 2017
56
PPG
Organize one book signing event at a local book store for author
October 27, 2017
57
Author
Print books (Depending on how many copies are being printed, this can take up to four weeks.)
November 17, 2017
58
Author
Submit book copies to Legal Deposit at Library and Archives Canada
October 27, 2017
59
PPG
Update PPG Facebook page
October 27, 2017
60
PPG
Update PPG blog
October 27, 2017
Project Timeline Template for “Rapid Release” Publishing
In 2018, I discussed the many merits of “rapid release” publishing (e.g., releasing a new book every six weeks). Obviously, the above traditional project timeline template won’t work for independent authors who wish to self-publish an SEO-friendly book series like that. They will require a different approach as outlined in this mini ebook series. But for those of you who wish to produce only one book at a time the traditional way, you can use the above template as your guide.
Does “rapid release” publishing appeal to you more than the traditional publishing process does? If yes, here are 7 Tips to Help You Write a Book FAST!
You might consider syndicating this content on your own blog. If you do, make sure to attribute the original source so neither of us gets dinged on the SEO front. You can do that by including this line at the bottom of the article: This content first appeared on the PPG Publisher’s Blog and has been republished here with permission.
I hope you will enjoy this ever-growing list of quotes about printing. Bookmark it and come back to it often, as I’ll continue to update it for you. Feel free to share any of these images and quotes with others on your blog and social media accounts.
“When a screen hits a screen, and a pattern is seen, that’s a moiré. When a grid’s misaligned with another behind, that’s a moiré.” ~Author Unknown
“It’s fun to print it in CMYK.” ~Author Unknown
You might consider syndicating this content on your own blog. If you do, make sure to attribute the original source so neither of us gets dinged on the SEO front. You can do that by including this line at the bottom of the article: This content first appeared on the PPG Publisher’s Blog and has been republished here with permission.