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Self publishing a novel

I always said I was going to write a novel, but for many years, I never got round to it. There was always something else to do. This year, I managed to actually do it, and while I can't say that I've picked up a huge book contract, I'm still pretty proud of the book I wrote so I'm self-publishing it and selling it to bookstores myself. It's a steep learning curve to work out how to get my book printed and working out all of the details of how the physical book will look. This website is a glimpse into the physical side of printing up your own self-published books for other new authors.

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Self publishing a novel

Tips for Working with a Printing Service

by Lourdes Ramos

For many graphic designers, the final step in the design process is to work with a printing service. Whether you're printing business cards or flyers, knowing what steps to take when working with a professional printer is important. Here are some tips that will help ensure your project goes smoothly and that your design looks as great on paper as it does on-screen

Understand the Capabilities of the Printing Service

Before you start designing, it can be helpful to research and understand what type of printing techniques and capabilities the printing service offers. This will help you choose the best material and colours for your project and give you an idea of how much the print run will cost. Many printers offer different paper types and sizes (such as glossy or matte finishes), and some even specialise in certain materials like recycled paper. Make sure you ask about any special options they have available so you can get the perfect look for your project.

Create Print-Ready Files

When sending files to a printing service, ensure they are set up correctly and formatted properly. Most printers require high-resolution files. It's best practice to save your design file in CMYK colour mode, which is used by most professional printers. If possible, send both vector and raster versions of the file so that the printer can adjust them if needed. Additionally, it may be helpful to include a copy of your design with bleeds included (if applicable) to ensure nothing gets cut off during printing.

Proofread Carefully

Once your files are ready to go, read through them carefully one last time before sending them off to print. Double-check spelling and grammar, look for typos or formatting errors and make sure all images are crisp and clear. If everything looks good, then you're ready to send them off. However, if there are any changes that need to be made, then now is the time to do it before they go into production.

Conclusion

Working with a printing service doesn't have to be difficult - just follow these tips. Understand what capabilities they offer so you can choose the right materials for your project, create print-ready files, proofread carefully and double-check everything is correct before sending it off for production. With these tips in mind, you'll be able to create beautiful printed projects quickly and easily. For more info, contact a digital printing service today.

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