As the world becomes more and more fond of buying e-books over traditionally printed books, it's important to know how to impress those who still enjoy physical copies of books. Some readers still enjoy the physical qualities of books, like the smell of the pages and the tightness of a new binding.
If you want to publish a physical book that will appeal to this demographic, here are three things you should focus on:
Choose A High-Quality Binding
Many professionally-published books that can be found in giant chain bookstores or even for purchase online share one commonality: glued bindings. These bindings, which include perfect bindings and thermal bindings, can be used in hardcover and softcover books, and they generally are just fine for books that a reader might only read once or twice. However, for book collectors, glued bindings are far from ideal.
As glued bindings age, the glue is exposed to heat, cold, moisture and sunlight, depending on the book's location. This can cause the glue to gradually start to break down, weakening to the point where the binding might crack. Once a binding cracks, a book becomes extremely fragile and its worth as a collectible diminishes.
Sewn bindings are a better choice if you want to sell your book to people who still enjoy physical copies of books. These bindings stitch each page to a cloth or leather binding, holding them snugly in place. These bindings can survive for decades, regardless of the book's exposure to the elements.
Professional Cover Art
They say that a book shouldn't be judged by its cover, but it's hard to resist: it's a reader's first impression of what a book will contain. Before you present your manuscript to a publisher, make sure to have a professional graphic artist design a cover for you first. It will cost a fair amount of money, but it can make your book look as good as the text inside of it is to read.
Materials That Last
Like the binding, the materials that make up your book can determine how it will fare in the future.
One absolute must to make your book survive is to use acid-free paper for the pages inside. When paper contains acid, it gradually breaks down over the years, becoming brown or yellow around the edges in a process called tanning. Acidic pages may also be more prone to foxing, which causes the pages to develop spots in brown or yellow.
A reliable book publisher will have multiple materials to choose from, so don't be afraid to ask them for input on what will make a book survive and look good for years to come.
While e-books are quickly becoming the popular choice for readers, many still enjoy the touch, smell and physical heftiness of reading an actual book. However, just creating a cheap paperback that will quickly degrade won't appeal to these readers. With these steps, you can create a beautiful book that will sell among readers and collectors alike.
For more help, try contacting professional book printing companies to learn more:
Share17 April 2015
When you start shopping for a new printer, they all look the same. However, after you pick one and take it home, another story unfolds. I still remember the day I found what I thought was a great device, only to deal with jammed paper and malfunctioning print heads later. I have been working with printers for the past fifteen years, and I know how to shop for printers and care for them. On my blog, you will find everything you need to know about printing and shopping for devices, so that you can avoid undue hassles of your own.