The book printing industry is very competitive, with several dozen large, established offset presses and a large and growing number of digital print-on-demand publishers in the U.S. alone. Each printer tends to be most competitive in certain types of work or print-run sizes. Publishers are well advised to find a printer whose strengths coincide with their needs, and to shop each job around to several printers.

Costs and Terms

A printer's quote or estimate lists exactly what each of the components of printing (listed in Specs) should cost, and common extras such as blue lines, halftones, corrections, overruns, and shipping. Quotes can vary widely.

Terms are the number of days after the job is shipped that payment is due. Net 30 or 60 days is common, but publishers with no established credit often have to pay in full before shipping.

Quality and Speed

The variables affecting the quality and speed of printing houses are too numerous to list. A great deal of money often hangs in the balance, however, so prudent publishers tend to use established printers who specialize in books, and pay higher prices for proven quality and reliability.

Tips

• Solicit printers' advice. They know more about making books than you do.
• Plan ahead, and be flexible. Printers have busy schedules. If a piece of a book needs to be redone, the publisher can miss his "window" of press time and have to wait weeks for the next opportunity. Some printers offer discounts to publishers who can afford to wait for press "down time."
• Be explicit, and put everything in writing. Leaving anything to chance or interpretation in such a complex operation is a bad idea.
• Cultivate a relationship with the printer. Designate one person (usually the typesetter or designer) to be the liaison, and get to know the sales rep and production manager personally if possible. Printers also appreciate being paid on time.