15/06/2026
๐ Thinking of Printing a Book? Here's What You Need to Know!
One of the most common questions we get at Bookprinters is, "What do I need before I can print my book?"
The answer is quite simple:
โ
1. A Print-Ready PDF
Before your book can be printed, it needs to be professionally designed and supplied as a high-resolution PDF. This includes the correct page size, margins, gutters, crop marks, bleed, and cover design.
Our advice? Use a professional designer or layout artist. While tools like Canva can be useful, many authors run into problems when setting up books themselves. Remember, you've spent months or even years writing your book โ make sure it looks as good as the content inside!
โ
2. A Quotation
To provide an accurate quote, we'll need the following information:
โข Finished book size (A5, A4, custom size, etc.)
โข Number of pages
โข Quantity required
โข Binding method (softcover, hardcover, PUR binding, etc.)
โข Black & white or full colour
โ
3. Paper Selection
The type of paper you choose has a significant impact on the look and feel of your book.
Popular options include:
๐ Creamy book paper for novels and literature
๐ 80gsm bond for manuals and educational books
๐ Gloss or silk paper for magazines, catalogues and photo-rich publications
โ
4. Quantity
As a rule of thumb, the more books you print, the lower the cost per book becomes. Short runs are ideal for testing the market, while larger runs offer greater economies of scale.
โ ๏ธ Important
At Bookprinters, we print exactly what is supplied and approved. Once you have checked and approved your proof, the responsibility for the content, spelling, layout, images, and design rests with the customer.
A well-designed book is easier to read, more professional, and creates a better experience for your readers.
When your print-ready PDF is ready, send it to us and we'll help bring your book to life!
๐ Bookprinters โ Helping South African Authors Turn Manuscripts Into Books.
๐
Collaborate with Book Printers for high-quality, cost-effective book printing and binding in South Africa.