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How authors should handle increase printing costs

authors-should-handle-increase-printing-costs

Eggs and gasoline aren’t the only things seeing price increases. Printing and paper prices are increasing due to a shortage in raw materials, importing and shipping issues, and the rise in energy costs.

We are all feeling the impact and the printing industry is no exception.

As an author, it’s important to keep a close eye on your print costs. The higher price of paper products and print services will eat away at your profit margins or affect the quality of your finished product. 

Here are 6 tips to help you navigate your options and stay within your budget without sacrificing quality.  

authors-should-handle-increase-printing-costs

Understand the printing process

As with every part of the self-publishing process, proper planning and knowledge will save time, resources, and money. During the writing process, you should formulate a strategy to maximize the quality of your book while minimizing costs. Don’t be forced into making rash decisions because your options are limited. Be proactive and decide these things before the book is finished or started to avoid costly mistakes. Here are some areas that will affect the cost of the book.

  • Page count- since most printers charge per page you should know how many pages your book should be. If you know upfront you can adjust your writing if needed. Keep in mind you will need some pages for the front matter. 
  • Black and white vs color- can your book be created in black and white? Even if you are using color images, books done in B&W can look amazing. Color books don’t always have to use premium printing. There are some cases where quality won’t be affected by choosing a step-down in color. 
  • Hardcover versus paperback- think about whether your book needs to be in hardcover format. Hardcovers are more expensive and will drive up printing costs.
  • Book size- while trim size itself doesn’t drive the price; smaller books will require more pages increasing the overall page count. Consider increasing the size of your book to keep the page count in check.

Currently, IngramSpark offers 3 different paper weights for color books and 2 for black and white while KDP offers 1. You might have to order a physical proof in multiple paper weights to see what your readers will be getting. Make sure you factor this extra step into your overall timetable.

Shop around for the best printer

Don’t just settle for the first print-on-demand (POD) or printing company you come across. Compare prices and compatibility with different printing companies. Look for the ones that offer the best deals and complement each other with value and distribution reach. At this time most authors know that printing with IngramSpark and KDP offers a sound option for capturing the best from each company. IngramSpark for its expansive printing and distribution network and KDP for its royalties on Amazon sales.

Present your book professionally edited and clean

Minimize your editorial changes prior to sending your manuscript to the designer. When your book is professionally edited and you know what the final book should look like, you will have a smooth design process. Changes made after the book has been typeset can be costly. Ask your designer how they want the manuscript to be presented to them and keep the communications flowing.

Use all the discounts

Some printers charge to initially set up a book and for any changes before and after distribution. These same printers always run deals where they offer discounts or free book setups. Most printers also offer discounts for large printing runs. If you are a multi-book author, you should ask if they have special discounts or can waive setup fees. It doesn’t hurt to ask.  At this time IngramSpark is waiving the setup fee when authors use the code BOOKLOVE

Look into digital alternatives

Not every book has to go to print. Consider releasing yours as a digital copy only. This can be a more cost-effective solution; however, we suggest offering your readers multiple versions to capture more of the market. Having a lower-priced eBook along with a moderately priced paperback will appeal to most readers interested in your book. For children’s book authors adding a hardcover might be the perfect balance to cover the entire spectrum of readers. Also, consider an audiobook version to balance off the other choices. Your upfront costs for these versions can easily yield longer-term consistent royalties and expand your target audience. 

Everything is more expensive

While printing costs and most everything else increases, authors should not feel guilty about raising the price of their books. Sometimes this is the only option. Keep an eye on how much royalties you are earning and make adjustments as necessary. Increasing the price of your book will force you to be a smarter marketer as you justify a price that readers might not be used to. For years Amazon drove down the price of books and eBooks yielding a lower royalty for authors. Now is the time to right the ship but you will need to justify to readers why your book is worth it. Having a well-thought-out marketing strategy is imperative in today’s book market for so many reasons beyond price. 

 

Rick Lite of Stress Free Book Marketing, stands at the forefront of the ever-changing book industry. He is a seasoned sales and marketing professional with over 20 years of experience in the book industry. Rick’s experience comes from tirelessly working on new and innovative ways to promote books. Embracing the core values of integrity, innovation, and growth, Rick works closely with authors to create custom, robust book marketing programs. His easygoing manner provides “stress-free” support and comfort to authors going through the self-publishing and marketing process for the first time. Rick is quick to share his knowledge and “insider tips” for a successful campaign that will lead to increased exposure, awareness, and most importantly, sales. You can read more about Rick and his success in the book industry by visiting his website at www.StressFreeBookMarketing.com.

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