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The Genesis of a Book at
|
Pre-Press (check in):
All material that
arrive must be confirmed as (or made into) camera ready manuscripts.
If the publishing project is for a reprint or reissue without a final manuscript - materials submitted are converted into a camera ready manuscript. This processes may include, but are not limited to: cutting the spine off an existing, printed book; converting pages printed on both sides into a one sided manuscript (from bound or unbound materials); updating halftones in provided manuscript; fully digitizing (scanning); making new edition corrections or additions. Different services carry different fees.
If a book arrives as separate elements that we are to combine into a final book manuscript, the book goes through manuscript preparation first.
Any manuscript that includes photos: the check-in person makes sure the photos/files are marked and notes any sizing they deem necessary or that has been requested. Then depending on their format:
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Hard copy photos are digitized and half tones are made.
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Digital graphic files for offset printing are adjusted as noted and half tones are made.
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Digital photos imbedded in programs such as Adobe, Word and Quark that the base files haven't been provided may be printed as is - no guarantee of quality. These are charged as non-process photo pages.
Regardless of manuscript pre-press format, all photos that are converted into halftones undergo light restoration and balancing, free of charge as a value added service.
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In a digitally printed book publishing, the digital halftones are placed in the manuscript file(s) before production - directly from data files. |
When offset printing is
done from a hard copy manuscript, the digital half tone photos are
produced and then returned to the check-in
person. Then the
half tone
photograph prints are trimmed and placed into the hard copy manuscript to help
complete the
check-in process. |
We realize that each book is the end result of a lot of work and, many times, years in the making. We want each project to be the best possible, while also being economical. Once check-in is complete and all questions are answered:
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Offset manuscripts go to the production area where it is placed in line, based on the date of pre-press clearance.
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Digital manuscripts get added to the queue digitally, based on the date of pre-press clearance.
Because each book is special
and projects are fluid, we feel "first in, first out" is the best
policy rather than scheduling blocks of time for projects that
may be delayed for a wide range of reasons. However, due to this policy, we can not even estimate
total production and delivery time until after
pre-press. Even then, while we strive to meet time estimates, so
many variables make guarantees impossible. While production time
can range from a few weeks to a few months, we annually suggest any
Christmas projects arrive at our offices by August. For summer
projects, allow at least two months lead time due to bindery
restraints.
We are different in this regard from many other commercial manufacturers - they block out time and can give you "exact time" estimates. However, few have any policy for dealing with getting off schedule for any reason. Many businesses that block time in preparation actually charge the author if the manuscript misses this time. If we were to schedule press time for many manuscripts we receive when they arrive, the manuscripts themselves would not make the scheduled time due to either problems found during check in or author initiated changes once it arrives. Additionally, highly automated manufacturers have quicker "turn around" due to the fact machines do most of the work on the publication. Many of these processes do not have the quality checks and balances we do.
Page Last Updated: August 22, 2008
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