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Perfect Binding Case Binding Spiral Coil Binding Saddle Stitched Binding
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Book Design
Book Design Book Formatting
Offset Printing Book Templates Reformat like the Bestsellers Tabs One-Sided Printing
Covers
Diamond 3D Foil Stamping Cloth & Leather Covers Dust Jackets Inside Cover Printing Custom Cover Design
Paper Types
Self Publishing
Self Publishing Book Templates Book Publishing Process Reordering Printed Books The Ordering Process Editing Resources How to Make a Book ISBN & Barcode Genres
Children's Books Planners & Journals Custom Cookbook Printing Yearbook Printing Photo Book Printing Poetry Books Religious Books Self-Help Books Family History Business Books Training Manuals
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Publishing Resources Self-Publishing Checklist Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing Marketing Resources How to Format a Book Video Gallery
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Fast Book Printing Expertise

48 Hour Books is known for fast book printing. But we don’t just print books fast, we print beautiful, professional-quality books...fast! Our proven processes include easy-to-understand production schedules, a wide range of creative options and a friendly customer service team full of people who love helping self-publishers.

If you’re looking for a top-notch fast book printer, or need an online book printing service where you can easily upload your book files - you’ve found it!

Fast Book Printing Made Easy

At 48 Hour Books, it’s quick and easy to print books. You’re never alone in the self-publishing process. From our free self-publishing checklist to the multiple ways you can contact our customer service team, if at any point in the self-publishing process you have questions, we’re here to help.

We offer a variety of book binding techniques, including hardcover (or case bound) books, paperback (or softcover/perfect bound) books, spiral bound (or coil-bound) books or saddle-stich bound books. With 48 Hour Books, you have access to bookstore-quality online self-publishing services, fast turnaround times, and a team to support you.

In a few easy steps, 48 Hour Books can print your books fast.
  1. Book Layout and Design (Pre-Press)
  2. Printing and Binding
  3. Shipping

Step One: Book Layout and Design

(Pre-Press)

All orders go to our Pre-Press department first. A custom-made filter checks for common file problems, such as missing fonts, type too close to the edge, low-resolution graphics, etc. If your files are in great shape, we follow a few more steps to create a PDF proof. Typically, PDF proofs are available within one business day after you send files.

If your files need more work, it may take longer to receive your first PDF proof. Let us know any changes that need to be made. With simple changes, the revised proof may only take a few hours, so watch your email. If you don’t hear from us, give us a call...we’re happy to give order updates. At any time, you can log onto your account and check the status of your fast book printing order. (Don’t have an account? Sign up here.)

Here's a short description of each order status:

STATUS WAITING FOR DESCRIPTION
Spec-Sheet YOU We are waiting for files or instructions from you.
Pre-Press 48 Hour Books We are working on your files.
PDF Proof Signoff YOU We are waiting for you to sign off on the PDF proof that we sent you.
Printed Proof Being Produced 48 Hour Books We are printing and shipping your printed proof (if you ordered one).
Printed Proof is on its way 48 Hour Books Wait for your Printed Proof to be delivered.
Printed Proof Signoff YOU We are waiting for you to approve the printed proof that we sent you.
Approved but awaiting payment YOU We are waiting for you to pay the balance, then we'll print your books.
Print 48 Hour Books We are printing your full order. Order is locked, no changes can be made.
Bind 48 Hour Books Your books are all printed, and are being bound.
Shipping 48 Hour Books Your books are printed and bound, and are being packaged and shipped.
Done or Closed   Your fast book printing order is complete and has shipped out.
printed book icon

Step Two: Printing and Binding:

Book Printing Production Times

Everything you need to know about our fast book printing is available online. In most cases, our standard production time and UPS ground shipping will get your books to you in plenty of time. We’re that fast! But, if you need your books even faster, you have several options:

Upgrade PRODUCTION time
(the time it takes us to print and bind your books)

Upgrade SHIPPING time
(the time it takes UPS to get the books from our offices to you)

Upgrade both PRODUCTION and SHIPPING time

Base Production Times

production upgrade chart

If you're trying to save a day or two, it's usually cheaper to upgrade our PRODUCTION time than to upgrade UPS's SHIPPING time. And if you're unsure, just give us a call. We can work out all the scenarios and let you know which is least expensive.

Note: production timelines are only guaranteed for orders up to 500 books. For larger book orders, contact us to set up a production timeline. During times of high volume ordering, printing may be limited to 500 books per day per client.

See how some order options may impact timing

Perfect Bound Books (Paperback) and Saddle Stitched Books Production Time

Below are standard, rush and super rush production schedules for perfect bound (paperback) books for reference. Perfect bound books have a standard two business day (48 hour!) production time. For example, if you approve your paperback or saddle-stitched books on Monday by 5 p.m. EST, we'll ship your books on Wednesday. See the map for your shipping time. Expedited shipping is available.

  • STANDARD production time for paperback books is two business days (if approval is after 5 p.m. EST, production will not begin until the following day)
  • RUSH service for paperback books is one business day and artwork must be approved by 3 p.m. EST (Rush is only available on a limited basis, so please call us to confirm it’s available. Final proofs must be approved by 3 p.m. EST)
  • SUPER RUSH service means your books will ship the same day you approve your proof (Super rush is only available on a limited basis, so please call us to confirm it's available. Final proofs must be approved by noon EST.)

You'll need to place your order far enough in advance (we recommend at least 24 hours) to give us time to get proofs back to you so that you can approve on time.

Note: some upgrades or order options may increase production time. See below for details.

Perfect Bound Production Chart

Proof approved
before deadline on...		 Standard
(Approval deadline 5 p.m. EST), books ship...		 Rush*
(Approval deadline 3 p.m. EST), books ship...		 Super Rush*
(Approval deadline noon EST), books ship...
Monday Wednesday Tuesday* Monday*
Tuesday Thursday Wednesday* Tuesday*
Wednesday Friday Thursday* Wednesday*
Thursday Monday Friday* Thursday*
Friday Tuesday Monday* Friday*
Saturday/Sunday Wednesday Tuesday* Monday*

* call for availability

Case Bound (Hardcover) and Spiral Coil Bound Books Production Time

Case bound (hardcover) book printing and spiral coil bound book printing take a little longer than paperback. Hardcover and coil-bound books have a five business day production time, and then you'll need to add shipping time. For example, if you approve your hardcover or coil-bound books on Monday by 5 p.m. EST, we'll ship your books on the following Monday. See the map for your shipping time. Expedited shipping is available.

  • STANDARD production time for hardcover and coil-bound books is five business days (if approval is after 5 p.m. EST, production will not begin until the following day)
  • RUSH service for hardcover and coil-bound books is four business days (Rush is only available on a limited basis, so please call us to confirm it’s available. Final proofs must be approved by 3 p.m. EST)
  • SUPER RUSH service means your hardcover or coil-bound books will ship the three business days after you approve your proof (Super Rush is only available on a limited basis, so please call us to confirm it's available. Final proofs must be approved by noon EST.)

You'll need to place your order far enough in advance (we recommend at least 24 hours) to give us time to get proofs back to you so that you can approve on time.

Note: some upgrades or order options may increase production time. See below for details.

Case Bound & Coil Bound Production Chart

Proof approved
before deadline on...		 Standard
(Approval deadline 5 p.m. EST), books ship...		 Rush*
(Approval deadline 3 p.m. EST), books ship...		 Super Rush*
(Approval deadline noon EST), books ship...
Monday (following) Monday Friday* Thursday*
Tuesday (following) Tuesday Monday* Friday*
Wednesday (following) Wednesday Tuesday* Monday*
Thursday (following) Thursday Wednsday* Tuesday*
Friday (following) Friday Thursday* Wednesday*
Saturday/Sunday Monday of following week Friday* Thursday*

* call for availability

Options That Impact Production Time

Some upgrades such as ISBNs, File Work, Printed Proofs, Diamond 3D Covers, Foil Stamping, Special Coil, Tabs, Perforated Pages, Individual Shrink Wrapping, Freight Shipping, or other special requests may increase production time.

All days listed are business days (Monday-Friday) excluding major U.S. holidays

  • ISBNs, Cover Design, Reformatting, Scanning or Other File Work: These may add to your wait time to see a proof, but will not impact production time after final approval
  • Printed Proofs: We ship printed proofs overnight, but depending on order options, printed proofs can take 1-6 days to receive. If you order one, your full order production time will not begin until after you receive and provide final approval of your printed proof
  • 1 Diamond 3D Option: +4 days to base production time for perfect bound, saddle stitched, or spiral coil bound orders. +5 days for case bound orders
  • Multiple Diamond 3D Options on a Single Order: +5 days to base production time for perfect bound, saddle stitched, or spiral coil bound orders. +6 days for case bound orders
  • Hot Foil Stamping: +3 days
  • Edge Printing: +4 days
  • Special Order Coil: +4 days (For coil colors other than black or white and larger coils for books that are greater than 350 pages)
  • Tabs: +1-2 days
  • Perforated Pages: +1-2 days
  • Individual Shrink Wrapping: +1 day
  • Freight Shipping or Special Shipping Requests: +1-2 days
  • Ordering more than 500 books: We can only guarantee up to 500 books will ship per day per client. Example: If you order 600 books, we can either ship the first 500 on the regularly scheduled ship date and the remaining 100 the following day, or we can hold all 600 to ship 1 business day after the regularly scheduled ship date. If you have several different book titles/orders in production at the same time, we'll fulfill one full order at a time and then move on to the next order once the first is completed.
Shipping Icon

Step Three: 48 Hour Books Shipping Times

The UPS shipping map* estimates how quickly you can have your self-published books shipped via UPS ground. With two 48 Hour Books locations, (Las Vegas, Nevada, and Twinsburg, Ohio) most printed books can arrive in two business days when shipped via UPS ground.

Shipping time map

Need faster books? If you need your books even faster, you may want to select UPS Next Day Air®, UPS 2nd Day Air® or 3 Day Select. It's usually less expensive to upgrade the fast book printing PRODUCTION time (rush or super rush service) than to upgrade the SHIPPING.

We can help! We can help make sure that your books get delivered on time. Just give us a call, but be sure to do it before you give final approval of your artwork. If you have a need-by date or event, you can note this date in the “customer comments” section of your online order form, and we will make sure you have selected the right options to meet your deadline.

*Shipping estimate map is subject to change at UPS' discretion. Actual shipping time will be confirmed at time of ordering.

I'm Ready to Print My Book

Begin your fast book printing order by completing a simple form and putting down a deposit. After you submit your order, you'll be prompted to upload your files.

Print My Book
Question Icon

I Need to Make a Change

Need to make a change after submitting an order? No problem! Simply contact us and we’ll help make the changes. Please do not place another order. Once you approve your final proofs, we can’t make any changes to your order.

Contact Us

I Need Book Reprints

How long does it take to make book reprints? With fast book printing services like 48 Hour Books, reordering books is easy. We never delete your files, so we can print additional runs as quickly as the first.

Learn More