Frequently Asked Questions

What paper options do I have?

The paper used in a publication will vary depending on the book type. For fiction and one-colour trade books the three popular stocks are:

•  80gsm offset (similar to bond paper)
•  70–80gsm cream, a smooth paper with a cream colour
•  79gsm bulky paperback is a textured paper, very popular for fiction & one colour books.
•  This stock's advantage of bulking up the book makes it appear to have more pages.

What binding options do I have? 

Saddle stitching
This is the simplest form of binding where the book is first folded and stapled usually with two wires through the saddle. Used for books that have too few pages to perfect bind and is ideal for books between 8 and 48 pages.

Perfect binding
This process involves gluing the book at the spine and then wrapping a cover around the internal pages. Similar to the binding used on paperbacks.

Case binding
Case binding can give the book prestige to which many embellishments can be added to the cover such as foil stamping. It is of a rigid construction that will withstand heavy and prolonged usage. The internal pages are folded in sections of 16 pages and then sewn with cotton and the case is then glued to the spine. Case binding can be produced in short runs, it doesn’t normally become economically viable until print runs of 1000 or more.

What are the minimum print runs?

The minimum print run is 1 book, however it is often not economical for books that contain internal colour pages. The unit price is higher for printing small quantities which has the advantage of low to no financial risk.

How long will it take to print my book?

For planning purposes you should always allow a minimum of two weeks for a book printed in Australia and eight weeks if printed offshore. Production times will vary from book to book, so it is advisable to discuss schedules with your printer or publishing consultant.