12 September 2024
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A hardback edition of your book is at the top of many authors’ wish-lists. Imprint Digital’s Jamie Rand looks at the practicalities of publishing in hardback.
- Investing in quality
- What’s the best format for my book?
- Making images work
- Help at hand for authors
- What Imprint Digital can do for authors
- Top tips for authors wanting to publish in hardback
Investing in quality
For self-publishers, the realities of printing a hardback might bring a few surprises.
Firstly, the cost is generally higher than that of paperback printing due to the materials and more complex binding processes involved, it takes us about three times longer to produce a hardback than a paperback book.
Creating a hardback, especially with custom features like sewn binding, foil blocking or spot-uv, typically takes longer due to the make-ready time on the individual processes.
Another surprise might be the weight of the final product – hardbacks are significantly heavier, which can increase shipping costs and make the book less portable for readers.
Self-publishers might also find that hardback books often require a higher minimum order quantity although we now offer hardback book printing from as little as 10 copies.
What’s the best format for my book?
The choice of format or style largely depends on the content and purpose of the book.
For instance, novels typically work well as perfect-bound paperbacks, offering a balance between cost-effectiveness and durability.
However, for special editions, a hardback format provides a more luxurious feel. Manuals and guides often benefit from thread-sewn hardbacks, which allows the book to lay flat when open, making it easier to reference. Children’s books, especially those for younger readers, work best as hardbacks for durability, paired with thicker pages that are easier for small hands to turn.
Art and photography books often take on large-format hardbacks with glossy pages, allowing the images to be displayed at their best. For textbooks, a hardback with sewn binding is ideal, ensuring the book can endure years of heavy use in educational settings.
The popularity of book formats varies significantly depending on the topic or subject matter. For fiction, paperback is by far the most common format, as it offers an affordable and portable option for readers.
However, hardbacks are often reserved for first editions and collectors, particularly for bestselling or highly anticipated titles – pre-orders, for example, work well as limited edition hardbacks for all types of books.
Non-fiction books see a mix of formats; biographies, academic texts, and history books are often preferred in hardback for their longevity and professional appearance.
Children’s books are frequently produced as hardbacks, though chapter books for older children are commonly available in paperback.
Cookbooks, due to their regular use, are almost always in hardback to provide durability.
With graphic novels and comics, paperbacks dominate, but limited editions are often released as hardbacks to appeal to collectors.
An author must first and foremost understand their target audience. The format should resonate with what the readers expect and are willing to invest in. Budget is another critical factor, as the choice between paperback and hardback has significant cost implications.
It’s essential to align the chosen format with the book’s purpose –whether it’s a keepsake, a reference work, or a mass-market paperback. Distribution and shipping are also key considerations, as the book’s weight and size can impact both costs and the logistics of getting the book into readers’ hands.
Finally, the aesthetic and brand of the book should align with the format; a beautifully designed cover that reflects the book’s content can enhance its appeal, especially when coupled with a premium format like a hardback.
Making images work
For any book that includes images, it is crucial to use high-resolution images, ideally at 300 dpi, to ensure clarity and sharpness in print. These images should be prepared in CMYK colour mode to guarantee accurate colour reproduction in the final print.
When it comes to text, readability is paramount. This means using clear typography with good contrast between the text and background. Overly decorative fonts should be avoided for body text, as they can detract from readability, and don’t be too decorative with a book title.
Additionally, proper formatting is essential – adequate margins and bleeds should be used to prevent any cropping issues during printing.
Help at hand for authors
Authors often need significant help with file preparation to ensure their books are print-ready. This includes ensuring that the resolution, margins, and bleed settings are correct, which can be a technical challenge for those unfamiliar with the printing process.
Cover design is another area where authors frequently seek assistance, as creating a cover that fits the binding method and effectively represents the book is crucial for its success.
Formatting the interior layout is a common challenge, particularly for books with complex structures like cookbooks or textbooks and poetry.
Understanding the various print options available can be overwhelming, so guidance in navigating these choices is often needed. Finally, budgeting is a critical area where authors need support, particularly in estimating costs and deciding on quantities to align with their financial goals.
What Imprint Digital can do for authors
At Imprint Digital (the sponsors of this post), our model is built around making book printing as seamless and flexible as possible for authors and publishers of all sizes. We cater to a wide range of needs, from small runs of just 10 copies to larger orders of up to 10,000.
Over the years, we’ve evolved by expanding our range of paper types, finishes, and binding options to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Whether an author requires vibrant colour prints for a coffee table book or durable sewn binding for a textbook, our digital colour presses deliver consistent, high-quality results.
Our service is designed to be as accessible as possible, with an easy-to-use ordering system, competitive pricing, and dedicated customer support that guides authors through every step of the printing process. We are constantly investing in new technology.
One area we have seen huge demand for, is short-run thread-sewn hardback books – high quality book printing is at the heart of what we do and with some recent investments we are now able to offer thread-sewn hardback books from as little as 10 copies.
Top tips for authors wanting to publish in hardback
- For authors considering hardback publishing, it’s crucial to first consider your audience and ensure that the hardback format aligns with their expectations and what they’re willing to pay for.
- Budgeting wisely is essential, as hardback printing is more expensive than other formats, and this will need to be factored into your overall pricing strategy.
- Choosing the right binding is another critical step; for books that are likely to be frequently handled or opened wide, sewn binding is a durable option that can add value to your book.
- Additionally, it’s always a good idea to order a printed proof before committing to a larger print run. This allows you to check the final product and make any necessary adjustments.
- Lastly, keep in mind the weight and shipping implications of hardbacks – they are heavier, which can increase shipping costs, so plan accordingly.
For more information:
Tel: +44 (0)1392 851 550
Email: [email protected]
imprintdigital.com