Planning Your Print Project
| The printing industry continues to face incredible challenges securing paper and printing capacity, making it even more critical to plan your print project months in advance. Fewer mills are currently in operation that produce uncoated and coated white offset paper. Many mills have shut down or transferred production to other products such as packaging. All of this and more have caused extended lead times. This has created the need for a new communication paradigm between printers, publishers, and authors who wish to self-publish. Consider changing your print quantities, production schedule, trim sizes, paper selection, or other aspects of your publishing plans. We are urging our customers to take action as soon as possible to help mitigate any potential problems with their printing and publishing plans. With publishers, authors, printers, and transportation all under extra stress, CHG has compiled a list of recommendations for authors and publishers. Know Your Schedule One of the most important aspects to consider is your ability to plan as far in advance as possible. Extra time in your schedule is critical, especially if the project requires additional labor-intensive work or a more extended schedule. Be sure to add spare lead time within your internal content and design production cycle. Ask your print provider if they offer the option for you to reserve your production time. Decide What Print Method Works Best When planning your print runs, we recommend utilizing the advantages of short-run digital printing. Short-run digital printing allows easier inventory management, avoids overbuying, and allows for shorter lead times. Whenever possible, avoid special order stocks and select standard trim sizes. Specialty stocks and sizes can increase your production time and cost. We recommend combining titles with similar trim sizes and print specifications if you plan multiple reprints. If you have more than one print project, prioritize them based on their time sensitivity and release dates. Ask Questions! Your printer should always have your best interest in mind. It’s crucial to keep an open line of communication with your printer. Be sure to start communicating early to reserve production time and ensure material availability. We suggest you begin planning months in advance of your publishing release date. Your printer may also be able to help with inventory management and drop-shipping. In Summary To avoid delays while keeping your costs in line, be sure to maintain open communication with all your vendors, including your print partner. This will enable you to stay informed and make any necessary adjustments before it’s too late. If you’re looking for a reliable, trusted, and experienced book manufacturing source, CHG is here to help. CHG offers digital and offset printing capabilities, binding, distribution, and more. We are doing everything in our power to keep our customers informed, on budget, and within timeline – all while producing superior quality print projects. |
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