You've poured your heart into your book project, and now you're watching that launch date like a hawk. Your book needs to be printed, on shelves, and in the hands of readers — right on schedule. What's the only way to make that happen? Plan ahead! Here's what to keep in mind and how to get it done.
Lightning-fast production in as little as 2 business days
Because book printing is our entire business, we're able to take advantage of the latest technology and precise printing presses to deliver lightning-fast production without sacrificing quality. Paperbacks print in as little as 2 business days with hardcovers printing in just 3 days. Our production process scales with your needs, for example, 25—500 copies takes approximately 3—4 days while 501—1,500 copies takes around 5—4 days, and so on.
For this reason, we recommend that you map out your book project accordingly and add a buffer of 2—3 business days for quality checks, shipping, and any last-minute corrections.
Take advantage of our prepress review and template tools
From the moment you request a quote or start the order process, the team at OnPress Book Printing gives you a variety of resources to help. We offer free templates and guides, including file specs for bleeds, image resolution, embedded fonts, and margins. From pocket book designs to U.S. trade paperback and U.K. royal sizing, we have downloadable templates for both Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Word.
We also provide step-by-step export settings for PDFs as well as a free downloadable guide on how best to prepare your files to work with our templates. We strongly recommend downloading these files and using them before you finalize your book layout.
Following these steps will help to maximize your file compliance and compatibility when submitting. Keep in mind that we also offer a complimentary prepress review, which can help catch any formatting glitches before your book goes to press.
Choose the right binding, paper stock, and run size
We offer a variety of binding and paper stock options ranging from children's books to cookbooks, graphic novels and business books. We also print memoirs and yearbooks. If you're looking to have your book printed, you'll need to make a few important decisions early on, including:
- Paperback vs. hardcover
- Paper type (glossy, uncoated, paper weight)
- Trim size and binding style
These things matter because the lead time extends slightly if you need special finishes or larger runs. If you're ordering more than 500 copies, add in a few extra days.
Add built-in buffers for proof copies or revisions
Even if you take advantage of our templates and guides, you'll still want to order a proof copy, just to have a tangible book in your hands. This way, you can double check that everything is exactly the way you want it. We print single-copy proofs quickly, but still need anywhere from 2—3 days for production and shipping.
If you want to order a proof first, schedule it at least 7 days before your launch and review the physical copy for any corrections that you may need. If you need any revisions, please submit them as soon as possible.
Don't forget to account for shipping and staging logistics!
We print quickly, but shipping is still part of the process. We ship books directly from our facility just outside of Philadelphia. Many of our reviewers report that delivery is faster than they expected, but generally speaking, shipping is still typically 3—5 business days across the U.S.
For the best possible results to meet your fixed launch date, schedule your order to arrive at least a day before your launch event or retail deadline. If you're shipping internationally or you need multiple deliveries, allow extra lead time. International orders should plan for customs delays or local transit time differences.
Communicate and confirm — we're here to help!
Above all, we're here to help, and our customer service is truly second to none. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to our team. Confirm your intended shipping and receiving dates with us, and if you're staging a launch event, be sure to ask about split-shipment options. This way, you're not having to chase down updates right before your deadline!
Don't forget, we offer a price-match promise as well as a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Printing books is our specialty. All of our work is backed by roll-fed Xeikon dry-toner presses that run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our printing processes are backed by G7 certification, which ensures you'll get crisp, consistent color quality and high-quality print standards, whether it's your 10th copy or your 1000th. Every copy looks just as crisp and sharp as the first — that's our guarantee to you!
And once you have that printed book in your hands, you'll know that every milestone — every template, proof, pixel, color pass, and courier tracking number — matched up perfectly with your launch timeline. By planning ahead, asking questions early, using our templates, ordering a proof book, and adding in plenty of buffer days, you'll be right on track for a launch that's truly unforgettable.
Following these tips and guidelines is more than just a roadmap to your launch date — it's a proven timeline you can use to make sure your book printing service and every step leading up to launch day goes off without a hitch. Ready to get started? Get your free quote at OnPressBookPrinting.com or give us a call at 1-866-285-3155. We're with you every step of the way!