I started by researching printers that specifically print children’s picture books, I found a website called http://www.youloveprint.co.uk, that only prints children’s books. they have a wide range of sizes, binding and paper types to choose from.
They gave you advice on how to upload your art work, what colour specification it should be in, and how the cover and end papers need to be set out, the bleed options (depending on what binding you choose).
I had a look at what choices I would make if I was going to have one printed in the future, just to see how it looked.
I would go for Perfect bound
Landscape style in 19.7 x 13.2 size
with the standard 32 pages for a children’s picture book
Full colour printing
I would choose recycled and un-coated as I think this would work with the subject matter of the book, as well as give it an vintage look.
It would come out to £29.72 for the one book.
I then went on to find a printer that specialised in book printing but with special features! They had a H-UV printer which enabled them to print both inside and out. They also had die cutting machines and cutting machines to create custom creations for your books.
You can see here a special die cut front cover which gives the book a unique feature, as well as being different for children, which add’s to the excitement of the book.
They also could create different varnishes which can make the front cover stand out and be eye catching, I especially like the glitter varnish, this would be great for books about fairies or magical subjects.
This was another favourite of mine, the embossing. This would be great for fantasy style books or books with some history to them. It gives the front cover an important, heritage, classic feel.
Like embossing they also supply the opposite which is relief stamping, where the letters feel raised above the cover work. A great tactile finish, which would be great for futuristic books, or science books.
This printers shows that there are many options you can choose from if you were thinking of getting a book printed. I would find it difficult to choose, they are all so appealing. You would have to think about budget, and also would the finish be suitable for the book type, the story and the message it was giving.
I then found a printers that did some different sizes and styles that could be interesting, the other printers had either portrait or landscape, or portrait or square, so it was good to see a wider range here. I think I would choose the landscape or square option for my book, most of the children’s picture books I have seen in book shops or have copies of are mainly landscape, and I have a few that are square.
They gave a good idea of the binding options they cover, most of the common ones I have written about. You can see in the diagram below how they work, which is a good visual if your not sure.
I did a quote for a landscape book, with full colour printing, a matte lamination for the cover with 200gsm paper. Inside matt art paper in 128gsm and a 32 page count. The least amount you could order was 100 units, this would cost £166 without shipping costs.
Overall there was a lot more options with printing than I thought there was, I like the idea of the special options like embossing and die cut, but realise this would add to the costs of making the books. The two quotes I did, one for 100 units and a quote for just 1 unit, surprised me how much value you get if you order in bulk. There are also a lot more printers out there who specifically print children’s books which I didn’t realise, as I thought most printers printed lots of things as an overall printing company. This is a good idea, as people thinking of printing there books get more specialised help, they can contact a company that works just in children’s books, so can help when it comes to questions or problems.
ruthgoodwinsillustration.home.blog 