FAQ - Book Binding Services Manufacturer

1

What artwork format do you need for printing?

We need high-resolution PDF formatted artwork (including a 3 mm / 0.125 inch bleed zone) for printing. Photos and images should be exported as vectors or with a resolution of at least 300 dpi to guarantee professional quality results.

2

What is a bleed

When you want colors or graphics to print to the edge of your page, you have to design the page larger than the size of the document. Printing presses cannot print exactly to the edge of the page, so documents are printed larger and then cut down to size. Your pages should be set up 1/8 inch larger all the way around the page. So, if you have an 8½ x 11 inch document, you should design the piece as 8¾ x 11¼.

Also be aware of the safety area on your document. Since most finished pieces are printed on larger paper and cut, you have to make sure that you do not have any text or critical graphics too close to the edge of the page. You should make sure that you allow 1/8 inch between critical text and the edge of your page.

3

What is the difference between RGB and CMYK color formats?

RGB refers to the primary colors of light — red, green, and blue — and is the standard format used for digital cameras, scanners, video monitors, and television screens. CMYK refers to the primary colors used in printing — cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. When you hear the term four-color process printing or full-color printing, it is referring to these four colors. RGB files must be converted to CMYK files before printing, since it is physically impossible for a printing press to reproduce RGB colors.

4

What resolution should be used for graphics and photos?

Graphics and photos should be at least 300 dpi to ensure that they do not look grainy when printed. Just because a photo looks good on your screen, which has 72 dpi resolution, does not mean that it will print well.

5

How large should the margin be on documents?

Be sure to allow adequate margins all the way around your document, but especially on the bound edge. Perfect binding, wire-o binding, and plastic coil binding will use approximately 1/8 of an inch on the bound edge. You also want to make sure that there is sufficient room on perfect bound books to be easily read without the reader breaking the spine. We recommend at least 3/4 of an inch margin on the bound side.

6

How do I calculate the spine width for a perfect bound book?

We recommend that you submit covers for perfect bound document as three files — the front cover, the back cover, and the spine. The size of your front and back cover should equal the size of your document plus 1/8 inch bleed on all four sides.

To calculate the size of your spine, use this formula: For 60# uncoated text, 70# matte and gloss text stock, and 80# matte and gloss text stock: Number of pages divided by 440 = spine in inches

For 70# uncoated text and 100# matte and gloss text stock: Number of pages divided by 370 = spine in inches

When counting pages, include the cover. When preparing your spine, be sure to add 1/8 bleed on all four sides. If you are adding text to your spine, make sure that you do not make the size of the text exactly equal to the width of the spine. Leave some blank room on both sides of the text so the text does not run exactly to the edge of the spine.

7

What if I get my books and something is wrong with them?

If you receive your books and feel that they are unsaleable for any reason, you must contact specialeditionbook.com in writing (including images to illustrate your concerns) within 10 business days of accepting delivery of your order. We will review the damages and proceed accordingly, assisting you with processing damage claims—either with the printer or the shipper, depending on where the damage seems to have originated.

8

What color mode is used for printing?

Offset printing uses the CMYK color space. Most design software uses the RGB color space. The most efficient solution is for you to change the color space to CMYK when you export your print-ready files. If you don’t know how to do this, ask us and we’ll explain. But don’t worry too much. If we receive your artwork in RGB mode, we’ll change it for you before we go to press.

9

How to Custom print a book from a pdf?

At Hemei Printing, we work with all types of file formats, word-processing applications, and layouts. After receiving a quote, request a secure file upload link to send us your pdf file. Our specialists will contact you once we receive your files so we can finalize your project's details.

10

What kind of paper is used for book pages?

Two primary paper types are used in printing book pages: coated and uncoated. We offer various paper types for both the cover and the inside pages. Some cover page options include gloss, satin, and uncoated cover paper. We also provide several coated and uncoated paper options for the inside pages. You can select the type of paper for your book project when you submit a quote request to our team.

11

Can I change the quantity of my order?

If production has not started, you can change the order quantity. Once production begins, the quantity cannot be changed.

12

Can I order a single item first?

If you have agreed to mass production, we will provide you with a sample first so you can make sure everything is to your liking before we go ahead. There is a small added fee for the provision of samples.

13

Do you use sustainable and eco-friendly materials?

Yes. We offer FSC-certified and recycled paper stocks at your request and use biodegradable soy-based inks wherever possible.

14

Do you print in black-and-white or color?

That's up to you. We can print in black-and-white or color or both depending on your needs. If you want to print in black-and-white only, please contact us and one of our experts will generate a quote for you.

15

Do you offer an assembly service?

Yes. If you order packaging products with us, we can assemble the packages, load them with products, and carry out quality assessments on the products we load.

16

Do you charge extra for fulfilling urgent orders?

No, we don't add charges for urgent orders. However, we ask that you contact us first, before placing your order, so that we can agree an acceptable timeframe for production and delivery. Once agreed, we will go ahead with your order and you will not be charged any additional fees.

17

Why do I need to add a 0.125" or 3 mm bleed to the artwork?

The 0.125" or 3 mm bleed zone provides tolerance, which allows for cutting and binding. It guarantees that your artwork is perfect on the page without unwanted white margins.

18

What artwork format do you need for printing?

We need high-resolution PDF formatted artwork (including a 3 mm bleed zone) for printing. Photos and images should be exported as vectors or with a resolution of at least 300 dpi to guarantee professional quality results. You may also provide us with original artwork and fonts with linked images.

19

What color mode is used for printing?

Offset printing uses the CMYK color space. Most design software uses the RGB color space. The most efficient solution is for you to change the color space to CMYK when you export your print-ready files. If you don't know how to do this, ask us and we'll explain. But don't worry too much. If we receive your artwork in RGB mode, we'll change it for you before we go to press. However, as the colors can change a little when moving from one color space to another, we recommend that you prepare and edit your original photos and artwork in CYMK using an application such as InDesign.

20

How should I send my artwork?

You can send us your artwork via email, to enquiry@specialeditionbook.com, or send us a link to Dropbox, Google Docs, etc. You can also upload your files to file sharing sites such as Sprend or Wetransfer and share the link with us.

21

How do I count pages?

A piece of paper is called a sheet. A single sheet has two pages, one on the front and one on the back. If you fold a sheet in half, it then has four pages, one at the front, two in the middle, and one at the back.

22

Do you provide design services?

We are an offset printing company, so printing is the core service we provide. We do not provide a comprehensive design service. However, unlike many printers, we are committed to offering significant design support. For example, we offer free downloadable design templates for book formats, flyers, posters, and more, along with an expert artwork file checking service and, of course, one-to-one advice and assistance for all our customers via telephone, email, Skype, and the online chat.

23

Can I use Canva to design my artwork?

You can use Canva but we recommend Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator for better functionality and a more professional experience. If you must use Canva, please select “file” then click “view setting” and then, “show print bleed” to set up the bleed lines before you begin your design. When you download your finished design, select “PDF print”, and check “Crop marks and bleed”. Select the CMYK color profile.

24

Can you help me modify my artwork?

If you provide the original artwork, including all fonts and linked files, we can assist with modifications. However, you must finalize the design.

25

How can I check the product quality before shipment?

There are two ways to check the final product quality before shipment: 1. We can provide a video or photos of the final product for your review—free of charge. 2. We can send a final product sample to your address, but FedEx shipping fees will apply.

26

Can I change my designs after I've placed an order?

If we haven't started production yet, you may change your designs after you've placed an order. However, we will charge you a fee for any pre-production processes we've already completed, which the changes will affect. Once production starts, it's no longer possible to change designs.

27

Can I see a proof before production?

We will send you a PDF proof as standard before we begin production. At your request, and for an added fee to cover the costs of manufacture and mailing, we can provide a full range of physical samples, including hard proofs, dummies, digital printing samples, and offset printing samples.

28

Can I receive production process videos or photos?

If you are running a Kickstarter campaign or need to showcase the production process to your audience, we can provide production videos and photos at no additional cost.

29

Will you reprint if a mistake has been made in the printing process?

If the mistake is our fault, we will reprint an entire run for you at no charge after corrections have been made. If the error was on your side, we will reprint if you agree to cover the costs — which may be less than the original print run depending on the type of mistake made. However, mistakes are very rare indeed due to our thorough design support services — including expert, manual file checking — our attentive customer service, our expertise, and our rigorous quality control protocols.

30

"Will the colors of the final mass production match my sample? We offer two types of samples:"

"Hard proof + dummy: The hard proof color is 95% similar to mass production colors. Physical sample: This is printed using a digital printer, while mass production uses offset printing. Due to differences in technology, there may be slight color variations between digital and offset printing."

31

If my order is urgent, can you speed up production?

Yes. Please contact us before placing your order so we can schedule production accordingly. We do not charge extra fees for urgent orders.

32

How do you pack the products for shipment?

It depends on how we ship. Usually, if the total weight is more than 700 kg, we will pack your goods in sturdy cartons loaded onto pallets. If the total weight is less than 700 kg, we will pack your goods and ship them in cartons without pallet-loading.

33

How do you ensure the safety of the products from damage or getting wet?

We take multiple measures to optimize the safety of the products that we deliver. We wrap them with packaging paper and then seal them into waterproof plastic bags before loading them into the cartons. We then load the cartons onto the pallets and further secure them with impermeable plastic shrink-wrap and heavy-duty tape. These measures make sure that your products are protected from movement and moisture during transit, so that they arrive in pristine condition.

34

What shipping options do you offer?

"We can ship by air or sea. For air shipment, our trusted partners are FedEx and DHL. For sea shipments, there are two options. If shipping over two pallets, we will ship by sea, complete customs clearance in your local port, and then complete delivery of the pallet-packed goods by truck. If the total shipping weight is less than 1000 kg, we will ship by sea, complete customs clearance in your local port, and then complete delivery with UPS Ground, FedEx Ground, or truck depending on your country. When shipping by truck, we'll pack your products in master cartons without pallets."

35

Where will my products ship from?

Our facilities are in Guangzhou in China. We ship products from the Port of Guangzhou/Shenzhen to destinations all over the world.

36

Can you send one order to different addresses?

Yes. We can split orders for shipping to multiple addresses, no problem.

37

Do you offer storage and dispatch services?

Yes! Contact us to discuss your needs.

38

Can you print my logo on the outer packaging?

Yes, of course!

39

Can you ship to third-party fulfilment centers such as Amazon?

Yes, of course!