Book Printing With Bookstore Quality
Lightning Press prints great books and is a G7 Master Qualified Book Printer servicing publishers and self-publishing. This is a sought-after recognition of excellence in printing given to those who have successfully proven capable of providing the highest quality color book printing from the most modern technology, techniques and process controls available in the graphic arts industry.
G7 is an international standard and benchmark for calibrating printing presses and proofing systems. Achieving color consistency is a critical component to G7 qualification. We are skilled, tested, and proven leaders in digital print production, specializing in color paperback and hardback book printing.
Book Printing Timeline
Production Time
Below is our normal average book production time in business days after we receive your correct file submission. Book Production begins “After Final Proof Approval.” Shipping time is additional. Faster Turnaround Time is available and may incur an additional cost. Please let us know if you have a special deadline.
- PDF Soft Proof Online – 2-4 days.
- Bound Proof Paperback – 5-7 days.
- Bound Proof Hardcover – 8-13 days.
- Bound Proof Wire Bound – 5-7 days.
- Bound Proof Booklet – 5-7 days.
- Book Production Paperback – 11-15 days.
- Book Production Hardcover – 14-20 days.
- Book Production Wire Bound – 11-15 days.
- Book Production Booklets – 11-15 days.
- Shipping/Delivery Time – 1-6 days.
Formatting
We request the entire layout and formatting of the inside pages be saved as a PDF file with all fonts and images embedded and saved at 300 dpi resolution. The inside pages should be created to the finished trim size of the book and saved as one complete PDF file containing all inside pages. Add blank pages wherever you feel is appropriate to end up with an (even) number of pages. The outside cover should be composed together as one separate file including the front, spine, and rear cover. Extend an .125 inch bleed all around the perimeter of the composed book cover. Save as a PDF file with all fonts and images embedded and saved at 300 dpi resolution. Please review our file requirements below.
If your book is going to be printed, it should have a barcode. Most bookstores require a special barcode called the Bookland EAN Barcode. Books use the Bookland EAN Barcode because it allows for the encoding of ISBN numbers.
The official source in the United States for ISBN information, Barcodes, and ISBN purchase is Bowker
File Guideline Requirements
IMPORTANT! Please review and click to download our file guideline requirements below. This will answer many questions while saving time and money.
Need to Talk?
If you have questions and need to speak with someone, please call us 973-890-4422, or email cs@lightning-press.com.
File Submission
From our website you can upload and send files to our secure data encrypted server. We will be notified immediately and send you a confirming email.
It’s fast and easy!
Proofs
Proofing is a very important 1st step and “Your Responsibility” to catch any file errors before printing, including but not limited to, spelling, punctuation, layout, position, fonts, etc. We do our best to catch customer errors and are thanked all the time for doing so. Remember we print information from files that are supplied to us, so please take your time and proofread your book carefully. Once your book is printed, it’s too late to make changes. Changes can be made with your next printing order.
Paper
Paper is sold by weight. So within a particular paper category a heavier sheet is more expensive than a lighter weighing sheet. In general Coated Paper is more expensive than Offset Paper. To help determine the thickness of your book we have listed how many pages per inch “ppi” each paper is. Our papers are also acid-free for archival quality and our paper merchants are environmentally responsible and FSC®, SFI or PEFC chain-of-custody certified.
Cover Lamination
Film Lamination is used on the outside cover of your book. We use the highest quality Lay-Flat Nylon Film Lamination that provides superior protection while enhancing the appearance of your book cover. This premium Nylon Film Laminate allows the paper to breath, minimises curl, and has a SuperStick® adhesive so the laminate sticks to the book cover like glue.
Book Binding
Payment
All book printing is custom and payment must be received before starting any production. Payments are secured by PayPal, one of the most trusted names for payment. Acceptable forms of payment are PayPal, PayPal Credit, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Checks, and Cash.
