Planning a printed book: what to prepare before requesting a quote
Planning a printed book starts with a clear brief. You do not need to choose every production detail in advance. Share what the book is for, what is already decided, and what still needs advice. The printer can then discuss suitable options and identify questions that need an answer before a quote is prepared.
Print Plus works on books and editorial printing, alongside other commercial print and finishing services. Before you request a quote, gather the details below.
1. Describe the book and its reader
Start with the book’s purpose. Is it a company history, product catalogue, event publication, training guide, portfolio, or a book for retail distribution? Note who will read it and how it will be used. A book handled at a desk may have different priorities from one carried to meetings or displayed on a shelf.
If the content is still being written or designed, say so. The printer can distinguish decisions that are final from decisions that may change.
2. Confirm the page count and finished size
Share the current page count, including whether it includes the cover, and give the intended finished dimensions if you know them. If you are comparing sizes, list the options rather than choosing one just to complete the brief.
Page count and finished size affect the layout and the discussion about binding and paper. If the manuscript is not final, label the count as an estimate and explain what may still be added or removed.
3. Explain the cover and binding you have in mind
Describe how you expect the book to open and be used. Mention any preference for a soft cover, hard cover, or a binding style you have seen on another publication. A reference photo can help explain the look, but it does not by itself confirm that the same construction is suitable for your project.
Print Plus lists binding among its finishing options. If you are unsure which approach fits your book, ask the team to review the format, page count, and intended use before settling on a specification.
4. Share paper and finishing preferences
You can describe the result you want in plain language: lightweight or substantial, smooth or textured, understated or more tactile. If you have a reference sample, include a photo or bring it to the discussion. Treat examples as a way to communicate a preference, not as a promise that a particular stock or finish is available for every format.
Depending on the project, you may also want to discuss finishes such as foil stamping, embossing, debossing, spot UV, or cutting. See the Print Plus finishing options and ask which choices suit the design and intended use. No single finish is right for every book.
5. Set expectations for colour and images
Tell the printer whether the book is mostly text, includes photographs, or relies on colour illustrations. Flag pages where colour consistency or image detail is especially important. If you have reference colours, identify them and ask how they should be supplied for the job.
The final setup depends on the artwork and the printer’s production requirements. Do not guess at a colour profile, resolution, or other technical setting when the print team can confirm what is needed for the chosen job.
6. Check the artwork before sending it
Say which files are ready and which are still being edited. Include the application or file format if you know it, and mention whether fonts, images, or cover artwork are still being collected.
If a page design runs to the edge of the sheet, ask about bleed before exporting the final file. Adobe explains that bleed extends artwork beyond the trim edge to allow for trimming, and advises checking the required settings with the print provider. The correct setup depends on the job; do not apply a generic measurement without confirming it with your printer.
7. Include quantity, timing, and delivery details
Provide the quantity you are considering, or a short list of quantities if you are comparing options. Note when the book is needed and where it should be delivered. These details help the printer understand the request; they do not establish a production date, shipping term, or price. Ask the team to confirm those details for your specific project.
A short checklist to send with your enquiry
- Purpose and intended readers
- Current or estimated page count
- Finished size, or the sizes you are considering
- Cover and binding preferences
- Paper, colour, and finish ideas
- Artwork status and available file formats
- Quantity or quantities for comparison
- Needed date and delivery location
- Questions you would like the print team to advise on
You do not need to have every answer before starting the conversation. Mark uncertain details clearly, attach any useful reference material, and ask what the print team needs next. To discuss a book project or request a tailored quote, contact Print Plus through the enquiry form.
Sources: Print Plus books and editorial printing; Print Plus finishing options; Adobe InDesign guide to bleed and slug areas.