Custom Book Printing

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my book is an odd size?
Do you offer other types of binding?
What does Plastic Coil Binding cost?
What do Hard Covers cost?
Do you have BOOK TEMPLATES that I can use?
How do I create a PDF file?
My PDF file is low-resolution. How do I fix that?
What is a bleed?
What are your payment terms?
What size do I make the cover?
Do you offer ISBN Numbers and barcodes?
Can you print photos? Is there an extra charge?
What is your return policy or guarantee?
Do you print index tabs?
How long does UPS shipping take?
Do you have any testimonials from satisfied customers?

For a Step-by-Step explanation
of how your books get printed,
CLICK HERE!

What if my book is an odd size?

Select the next larger size from our list of book sizes, then write the ACTUAL book size in the COMMENTS section of the order form. For example, a 4.5 x 7 book would be priced like a 5.5 x 8.5 book, and a 7 x 10 book would be priced like an 8.5 x 11 book.

Do you offer other types of binding?

Yes, we do. The majority of our books are perfect bound (like a paperback book), but we can also use plastic coil binding (ideal for cookbooks, or any book you want to stay open flat -- add $0.60 per book to our calculator prices), case binding (hardcover binding -- add $10 per book to our calculator prices) and even saddle stitched books (folded and stapled on the spine).

What does Plastic Coil Binding cost?

We've simplified our charges for spiral coil binding. Simply ADD $0.60 per book to the regular Perfect Bound prices that appear on our Cost Calculator. If your book is 300 pages or less, please add three extra days for Spiral Coil Binding. Unfortunately, if your book is over 300 pages, it's too thick to be Spiral Bound.

What do Hard Covers cost?

Simply ADD $10 per book to the regular Perfect Bound prices that appear on our Cost Calculator. If your book is 400 pages or less, please add three extra days for Hard Cover books (Case Binding). Unfortunately, if your book is over 400 pages, it has to be oversewn, and THAT will add 4 weeks to the process. (We're working on speeding this up, but for now, it's a 4 week process. But again, that's only for thick books over 400 pages. Thinner books only add three days.)

Do you have BOOK TEMPLATES that I can use?

Yes, we do. You can download templates for free from our Templates Page. We currently have templates for Microsoft Word, and hope to be adding more in the coming weeks.

How do I create a PDF file?

You can convert your files to PDF for FREE by downloading a great new FREE converter called doPDF. Simply click here to download doPDF and select 'RUN' when prompted. This installs a virtual printer named 'doPDF' on your computer. With it, you'll be able to 'File > Print ...' to create a PDF from any Windows application. (If you've got a Mac, PDF conversion is built right into your system.)

To create a PDF file, simply open your file, select 'File > Print ...' and choose 'doPDF' as your printer. *** The first time you use doPDF, hit the 'Preferences' button and change 'Graphic Resolution' to 600 dpi (near the bottom right of the window.) Hit 'OK' and your Preferences are all set. *** Hit 'Print', make sure 'Embed fonts' is turned ON, and it will create a PDF.
Be sure to check your PDF file CAREFULLY before sending it to us for printing. Any errors on your PDF will show up on all of your books. But if you can't figure it out, call us for help, or just send us your Word files and we'll convert them for you (for $50).

My PDF file is low-resolution. How do I fix that?

There are settings within Acrobat Distiller that determine how much to 'downsample' your file to a lower resolution. This is handy for web graphics, but for printed material it can be horrible. Either use one of Adobe's pre-set settings ('Print' or 'Press' work fine), or change the settings yourself within Distiller to downsample NO LOWER THAN 300 dpi for color and grayscale images (photos), NO LOWER THAN 600 dpi for monochrome images (line art), and INCLUDE ALL FONTS.

What is a bleed?

If you want your cover artwork to extend all the way to the edge of the cover (so it 'bleeds' off the cover), you'll need to extend that arwork BEYOND the edge of the cover at least 1/8". Some programs will create a bleed for you, but if you're not sure how to do it, simply create a page size that is 1/4" wider (1/8" added to the right, and 1/8" added to the left), and 1/4" taller (1/8" added to the top, and 1/8" added to the bottom), and make sure you keep any TYPE at least 3/8" away from the edges.

What are your payment terms?

We accept Paypal, as well as all major credit cards. While we don't charge your card until we ship your finished books, keep in mind that your card is AUTHORIZED when you place your order, which holds those funds in reserve. If you don't have enough money available on your card, simply select "Other" as form of payment when you place your order, then go back to your account and add your credit card information later. That way, we won't authorize your card for the full amount. If you choose to pay by check, we require 1/4 downpayment before we ship your proof, with the balance due before we ship your completed order. Make check or money order payable to 48HrBooks, and send to:

48HrBooks
2249 14th St. SW
Akron, OH 44314

What size do I make the cover?

Make your cover slightly larger than the book itself, to account for bleed (when the printing goes all the way to the edge). Since it's a wrap-around cover, it needs to be TWICE the width of the finished book, plus the spine. To determine the width of your spine, divide Nbr of Pages (not SHEETS, but PAGES) by 440. For example, if your book was 120 pages, the spine would be 120 / 440 = 0.27 inches.

So for a 5.375 x 8.375 book that is 120 pages long, the cover should be
8.375 tall, and 11.04 wide (5.375 front + 5.375 back + .27 spine = 11.02).

So for a 8.375 x 10.875 book that is 200 pages long, the cover should be
10.875 tall, and 17.23 wide (8.375 front + 8.375 back + .45 spine = 17.20).

Of course, if your artwork is going to BLEED (go all the way to the edge),
you'll need to have it extend 1/8" BEYOND the edges on top, bottom and side.

Include your title and author name on the spine so when your book is on a bookshelf, the title and author name read from top to bottom. Please Note: We do NOT print on the inside cover. No printing on the inside front cover or back cover. Under special circumstances, we can print on the inside cover, but there is an additional cost and time involved. Please call to discuss.

Do you offer ISBN Numbers and barcodes?

Your book doesn’t have to have an ISBN, but if you’re planning on selling it through major bookstores or online bookstores, you’ll need one. We recommend getting your own block of ISBN numbers, through ISBN.org. We can help you get your own ISBN and barcode and YOU will be the publisher! If you only need one (1) ISBN, simply download the single ISBN application form here, either as a WORD DOC or as a PDF FILE. For multiple ISBNs, you'll need to go to their website, ISBN.org. They have a simple online order form, and a block of 10 ISBNs is $275, or a block of 100 is $995. Why get your own? Because you will be your own publisher. You’ll retain all rights to your book. Of course, we still want to print your books, but you’ll have total control.

The process takes about a week, though, so you'll need to figure that into your deadline. If you’re in a hurry, have us print the first set of books without an ISBN. We can always print stickers that you can put on the books after you get your ISBN.

Can you print photos? Is there an extra charge?

Yes, we can print photos. Black-and-white photos on the inside, and full-color photos on the cover are FREE. If you want full-color photos on the inside, just indicate how many pages of full-color you'd like when you fill out our SpecSheet.

On short runs, your book is printed digitally, so black-and-white photos on the inside pages will be printed as halftones at 106 lpi. Full-color photos are printed as continuous tones, and are near photographic quality.

On long runs, your book may be printed offset, so black-and-white photos would be printed as halftones at 150 lpi, and the full-color photos are printed at 175 lpi.

What is your return policy or guarantee?

Since all of our books are custom orders, we do not accept returns unless there are manufacturing defects or damages in shipping. On the rare occasion that there is a defect in the manufacturing process or damage in shipping, please call or email us immmediately and let us know what's wrong. We'll reprint the affected books and send them out to you at no additional charge. All claims of defects in manufacturing or damages in shipping must be made within 30 days of receipt of your order.

Do you print index tabs?

Yes, we can print index tabs in your books. We recommend that you only use tabs for spiral bound books, but we CAN put them into perfect bound books, too. Assuming the tabs are printed one-sided in black on a white tab, the cost is $75 + 40 cents per tab per book. So if you're ordering 100 books with 5 tabs in each, your cost would be ($75 + (100 books x 5 tabs x 40 cents each)) = $275. If you have questions, just call or email us. We'll be happy to help.

How long does UPS shipping take?

Click here for a map that shows shipping times throughout the USA.

Do you have any testimonials from satisfied customers?

Here's just a small sampling of the hundreds of complimentary notes we get from our satisfied customers:

I'm working on a huge marketing campaign for the book, and it is selling quite well on Amazon. I'm very impressed with the work and expediency with which your business operates, and will most assuredly use your company to publish future titles of this, and other books! Thanks again for your wonderful work!!

David Kennedy
Wellness Research Publishing

I don't know what to say! The books are gorgeous. We are thrilled. I practically hugged the UPS guy!

Colleen Gehring
Custom Favor Books

It's nice to call and know that you're going to get a real live person to talk to on the other end! It's the little things like that that make working with you so nice! We are all so pleased with the book, especially the pictures!

David Murphy
Murphy Books

I'm very happy with the books you did for me last week. If you get requests for references, please share my name and email for potential customers.

Robert Butche
Greenbrier House Publishing

Thanks a lot. You could be saving my life here.

Matt Getty

You have done an excellent job. I am very, very pleased.

M.J. Koniuchowsky

The good price and incredible turnaround are very appealing.

Jim Rietmunder
The Circle School

Thanks again, we love what you guys do!

Lewis Matheny

Amazing job – book looks fantastic and cant wait to get this one out the door! Thank you so much, Mr. Fulton, and thank your wonderful staff – you all did a great job!

Steven Sigafus

Thank you for working so closely with me to get the books perfect! I have two book signings on Saturday and hope to email you over the weekend saying I sold out! Thank you again for everything!

Jill Samter
Life Essence

It took quite some time to calm down after I saw the miraculous job you did with my small work. You produced a finished book that was far beyond what I could have ever hoped for. You are the angel that God sent down to perfect my vision. May the joy you brought into my life return to you a hundredfold. I look forward to establishing a permanent and prosperous business relationship with 48HrBooks. And you will be receiving my next submission for publication very soon. Thank you very much, and God be with you.

Martin States

I just got the books. They look great!

Wade Grassedonio

We had an awesome opening night and book-signing for "Ice Cream Dreams" & "Zoom Cat Zoom," thanks in part to the two great editions you at 48HrBooks printed for us.