A Guide to Book Printing: offset printing, short-run printing, and print-on-demand
This post defines three very different categories of book printing: offset printing, short-run printing, and print-on-demand. Offset printing: Offset printing is done by machines the size of ballrooms. These machines are ideal for high-quality printing because they offer the most versatility in paper type, cover type, ink type, colors, etc. They are built to produce thousands of books quickly and cost-effectively. Book manufacturers work primarily in offset printing because it allows them to create detailed and unique products—books with sewn bindings, nontraditional cover materials, custom paper, full-color artwork and photography, etc.
Pros:
- Cost-effective for larger print runs
- Any dimension, paper type, cover type is available
- High-quality product with long lifetime
- All books available up-front
Cons:
- Investing in print run before sales
- Only cost-effective for larger print runs
Ideal for:
- Companies, nonprofits, and other large organizations
- Clients who wish to use books as professional portfolios
- Clients who wish to use books as marketing/branding collateral
Does Orange Frazer use offset printing for clients? Yes
Short-run printing: Short-run printing is often done digitally and typically limits the author/client to predetermined sizes and paper types. Short-run books are most cost-effective as softcover 6x9 or 7x10. Because these books are printed digitally, and not by large offset presses, they can be done cost-effectively in smaller quantities. This printing route does not make sense for larger quantities, simply because offset can deliver better unit prices for larger print runs. Like offset, however, a short-run project means that you will have your entire print run up-front. If you want additional books after doing a short-run project, you can choose to reprint and invest in a second print run.
Pros:
- Smaller quantities
- All books available up-front
Cons:
- Higher unit costs than offset printing
- Limited size, paper, and specialty options
- Investing in print run before sales
Ideal for:
- First-time authors
- Small organizations with limited potential readers
- Writers groups that publish yearly anthologies of members’ work
Does Orange Frazer use short-run digital printing for clients? Yes
Print-on-demand: Like short-run printing, print-on-demand is done digitally and typically only in a few sizes and paper types. Unlike a short-run project, print-on-demand books are only printed once they are sold, so the author/client does not have the entire print run up front. For a print-on-demand project, the author/client is told how much each book will cost him/her to produce, and the author can list the book on Amazon, paying for its production only when it’s purchased.
Pros:
- Books are not printed until sold
- No print run waste
Cons:
- Higher unit costs than both offset printing and digital, short-run printing
- Limited size and paper options
- Final product is often lower quality (cheaper binding, ink, and pages)
Ideal for:
- First-time authors
Does Orange Frazer use print-on-demand services for clients? No