One thing that surprised me about the book printing process was how many steps there are before you actually hold the book. Many authors think that they're ready to print once they've finished their manuscript-but there's so much more behind the scenes. You need to think about formatting, choosing the right paper type, cover design, and making sure everything meets the technical specs, like image resolution and bleed areas. My advice to authors would be to start early and pay close attention to the details. Don't rush the process. It's important to: Use professional design tools or hire someone who understands formatting details If you're not familiar with paper types, at least request a physical sample from the printer. Different papers can make a huge difference. Always get a print sample before you move forward. That way, you'll know exactly how it feels, how the colors look, and how the book reads in your hands. If you're working on a book that readers will be flipping through frequently, here are a few things to consider: Does the book stay open easily, or do the pages tend to close on their own? When the book is opened, can readers easily read the text near the binding? Is the book too thick or too flimsy? It should feel sturdy enough to hold comfortably. How does the text look in print? Reading from a screen is very different from reading on paper, so make sure the text is clear and easy to read. Watch out for the quality of binding. Some printers may use cheaper glue, which can lead to pages falling out, especially in books that are frequently flipped through. By paying attention to these details, you can ensure that your book will look great, feel solid, and be a joy for readers to handle.
I work in an offset printing company, I'm not that familiar with distribution kind of things, but I can certainly say that the most surprised thing regarding book printing is 'more inner page doesn't always mean higher printing cost'. It's a bit tricky to explain the exact principle, which involves some knowledge of offset printing. But the fact remains that the overall cost is lowest when the number of interior pages in a book is a multiple of 16. Sometimes a 60-page book costs less than a 64-page book. Other factors such as printing quantity, book size will also affect the cost.