This knowledge base collects everything worth knowing before you send a book to print: how to choose paper and binding, how to prepare a print-ready PDF, how an ISBN works and how long delivery takes. The articles are grouped by theme, so you can start with the section that applies to you.
Everything you need to know about book printing, explained by our own printing house. Welcome to the PrintItEasy knowledge base. Here you’ll find clear answers to all your questions about printing books, magazines and catalogues, from paper types and binding methods to supplying your files and applying for an ISBN. Explore the topics below or jump straight to a popular article.
Explore the topics
Types of books
Hardcover, softcover, photo books and more.
Paper & materials
Paper types, weights and FSC paper.
Finishing & binding
Binding methods, lamination and luxury finishes.
Supplying files
PDF/X, bleed, spine width and colour management.
Ordering & delivery
Print run, print-on-demand and delivery times.
Publishing & selling
ISBN, print-on-demand and distribution.
Printing techniques
Offset, digital, colour and proofing.
Handy tools
Graphic glossary
All industry terms clearly explained, from bleed to spine width.
Supplying artwork
Specifications, bleed and downloadable delivery templates.
Spine calculator
Calculate the spine width of your book for hardcover or softcover.
Customer service
Popular topics
Need help choosing?
Not sure, or want to be certain you’re making the right choice? Our specialists are happy to advise on paper, binding, finishing and print run, and will prepare a free, no-obligation custom quote.
What to watch out for in book printing
Most questions about book printing come down to four choices: the format, the binding, the paper and the way you supply your file. The format decides how the book sits in the hand and what it costs. The binding decides how long it lasts: hardcover or softcover changes both the feel and the price. The paper decides how your photos and text come across, and a heavier or coated paper feels different straight away. And the file decides whether the result really matches what you saw on screen.
If you are publishing yourself, there is one more step. To sell through bookshops or online retailers you need an ISBN, issued in the UK by the Nielsen ISBN Store. What else publishing involves is covered under publishing and selling.
Not sure where to start? Read supplying files first. It sets out the requirements every print job has to meet: 3 mm bleed, embedded fonts and images of at least 300 dpi. Get those three right and you avoid most delays.
How to use this knowledge base
If this is your first book, read in this order: book type first, then paper and binding, and finally file preparation. If you already have a finished PDF, go straight to the section on supplying files. Every article in this knowledge base is written for authors and self-publishers, not for print professionals, so you will not need any prepress background to follow along.