The Zip Book Print Quote Calculator offers a form submission tool that the user can use to create and send a book printing order with the advantage that it offers an instant quote for the print project. The following article offers information regarding the best practices for choosing specs for book creation on the form found here: https://zipprintcopy.com/BookPrintQuote.html
Number of Pages: Refers to the number of pages in a book, not the number of 2 sided sheets. For a book which includes 100 pages, for example, 100 should be entered here.
Page Size:
- Standard small paperback books are usually 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, or 6″ x 9″.
- Most textbooks are 8 1/2″ x 11″.
- Children’s books are usually 8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, or 8 1/2″ x 11″(portrait or landscape).
- Other custom sizes are available. If your book size is not listed, choose the size closest to your size that has vertical and horizontal sizes that are both large than your size. If your entry is not exactly correct, Zip will correct and send you an updated quote/form that is accurate.
Type of Paper for Interior:
- Text based paperback and textbooks usually 20#, 24#/60#, or 70# paper stock.
- Books with images, photographs and artwork usually are best printed to 80# Coated matte or 80# gloss stock. Illustrated children’s books fall into this category.
- Coloring books require heavier uncoated stocks such as 70# and 80# matte stocks.
- RE Saddle stitch books, small and letter sized books can use papers between 20#, 24#/60# up to 80#. Letter sized books with bleeds can only use 24#/60# to 80# stocks (Not Ivory).
Type of Stock for Cover:
- The best cover stocks for perfect bound books are 124# or 145# Coated stocks. These stocks are actually considered C1S stocks, because they are coated only on one side, with the inside matte side being best for secure glue binding.
- 100# Matte Card Stock is also good for paperback books offering more of a flat look. They can, however show cracking of the printed images at the crease and flat area of the spine.
- All cover stocks will work for Coil and Comb bound books
- RE Saddle stitch books, small and letter sized books can use Cover stocks between of 67#, to 124#. Letter sized books with bleeds can only use 80# to 124# cover stocks.
Add Gloss Lamination to Cover?:
Gloss coated covers stocks have a nice gloss finish, especially when printed in color to our digital printers. To increase the gloss and to make a cover more durable, we can add a gloss UV coating to the outside of the cover.
Binding Type:
- Perfect/Paperback Binding
Perfect Bound/Paperback Binding is the most common type of binding for reading books and textbooks. It involves a wrap around cover that is glued to the book block using a very strong glue.
Saddle Stitch binding is great for magazines, catalogs, programs and graphic novels.
Coil & Comb binding, and 3 whole punch (with binder) works well with manuals, cookbooks, study guides and other books that require that the book lays flat while the user writes or works from instruction on the book.
Single or Double Sided Printing: Most books are printed on both sides of the page. This conserve the amount of paper used, the size of the book and cost of the book. Some books, such as coloring books or books with pages that must be submitted use single sided printing.
Interior Print Color: A book may be printed in B&W, Color or some combination of the two. B&W printing is far less expensive than color printing. Our digital machines are costed to charge for color costs for color pages, and B&W costs for B&W pages. If your book is a mixture of the two, choose the coloration that is most prominent and request cost adjustment in the Message/Instructions section of the form. We will calculate final pricing and send it to you.
Would you like a FREE Proof Copy? (For orders of 10 or more copies): If your final intent is to order 10 or more copies, we will print a proof that you can pick up at our office or that we can send to you. If needed, we can send you digital pics of portions of the book for review. Zip requires an email or note in the form submission of confirmation before we print a full order.
A Few Notes About The Form
The form calculates pricing based on your input. The more accurate the inputed specs, the more accurate the quote.
Quotes for quantities of 1 to 9 will be adjusted by adding a small quantity fee of up to $5. Quantities of 10 to 99 reflect our base pricing. Quantities above 100 are discounted by increasing discount percentage as they get higher according to our algorithm. To test pricing/discounts, you can change quantities (and specs) prior to submission of the form and the prices will adjust in real time.
