How to Select the Best Book Printing Company

Whether you are a self-publisher or work at a publishing company choosing the best book printing services is extremely important. There are many important factors that should be considered before making the final decision on a book printer. Focusing on price alone can cause details such as the quality of the paper and ink, or important deadlines to be overlooked.

Yes, price is important, but it should not be the only factor when making your decision.  Saving a few dollars on the overall cost of your book will not matter if no one can read the print because the ink is too light. Every writer has invested a tremendous amount of time and energy to write their story. Do not do a disservice now and rush to pick a cheap printer.  You could start your search by typing into your favorite search engine:  “book printing companies near me”.

Consider the Following Elements When Choosing Your Book Printing Companies

#1 Look For Longevity Within The Printing Company

There are a lot of printing companies out there. One of the best ways to distinguish where to start your search is to see how long have they been around. Printers that have a long-standing history in the industry aren't easy to come by. Look for companies that have been in business for 30 years or more. Companies that have longevity in the industry usually are more positively reputable and financially sound. Many times these companies have employees who have a lot of experience and can help guide and troubleshoot your projects. We are dedicated to helping create your printed vision. We have created a separate division at Hatteras named Hatteras Books and we are focused on one thing: Books. 

Our team of Book Experts have over 100 years of combined experience on how to print the most cost-efficient beautifully crafted books. 

#2 Do Your Research on Book Printers

Do your research. Do not just look at websites. A good website is helpful, but should not be a determining factor when looking for a commercial book printing company. Make sure the printing company is actually a book printer. There are a lot of different types of printing: continuous forms, labels, and posters are all printed on different printing presses. You will want to make sure the commercial printer specializes in printing books. A quality book printer will also have design services and bookbinding equipment in their plant. What type of press will be printing your book? Ask if you can come watch it being printed and do an in-person press check. It will save you precious time working with a company that offers design services all throughout the printing process and on to fulfillment and delivery. Are the presses new with the best print technology? What kind of finishing services can they provide?

You don’t want to discover once the project has started that you have to find another company and complete it somewhere else. Ask questions to the salesperson or customer service representative. Ask to tour their plant. You can then see for yourself if the plant is clean and organized (which is normally a good sign). Does the company look like they take care of their building and equipment? Ask for a copy of their equipment list? How new is their equipment? Do they have a redundancy plan if equipment needs service or repair? If they don’t, then they probably are not going to take care of your book. It is a red flag if the company will not let you tour their plant. 

#3 Quality Commercial Book Printing = Priceless

There is a saying we use in our office:  “Quality isn’t expensive, it’s priceless”

The quality of work printed is perhaps the most integral part of choosing a quality book printer. Research a printer who strives for quality. More importantly consistent quality. Ask to see live printed samples of their work. Has the company won any awards? Ask for client referrals or testimonials. A quality printer will be happy to show off their work to you. Is the company G7 Master Printer Certified? A G7 Certified printer is a globally recognized certification that is awarded to printers who are able to demonstrate that their print is consistent across different printing platforms. This helps to maintain the integrity of their customers' brand. This certification is not easily obtained and is a tool to help print buyers know that the printer has made a serious commitment to ensuring quality. When looking for a book printer, at a minimum, make sure your book printer is a G7 Certified printer. 

Am I missing something? Please feel free to contact me at my email address, bzbozen@4hatteras.com and let me know what considerations you take into account before choosing the best book printing company.