printing PDFs?

[Failed Saving Throw]

I have a ton of good stuff on PDF, like Bronze Gods and all the 2E Dark Sun books, that I'd much prefer to have physical copies of. Does anyone have much experience printing out PDFs like this and having them bound? Is my best option Kinko's? I'm wondering if there are good printing places that offer decent prices for printing in bulk.

 

[Dragon Snack]

There is at least one huge thread around here about having trouble printing PDFs because of copyright issues. Don't be surprised if some places refuse to print them for you.

That out of the way, Kinko's is probably one of the more expensive places. When my Savage Worlds group switched GM's, the new GM had the GM's guide (around 200 pages) printed out AND (comb) bound at Office Depot for US$9*. Apparently Kinko's wanted something in the range of US$40, just for the printing. It pays to shop around.

*To avoid any undo panty-in-a-bunching, it was a legal playtest copy (edit: of a setting - not the Savage Worlds book) given to him directly by one of the authors.

 

[Treebore]

There is at least one huge thread around here about having trouble printing PDFs because of copyright issues. Don't be surprised if some places refuse to print them for you.

That out of the way, Kinko's is probably one of the more expensive places. When my Savage Worlds group switched GM's, the new GM had the GM's guide (around 200 pages) printed out AND (comb) bound at Office Depot for US$9*. Apparently Kinko's wanted something in the range of US$40, just for the printing. It pays to shop around.

*To avoid any undo panty-in-a-bunching, it was a legal playtest copy (edit: of a setting - not the Savage Worlds book) given to him directly by one of the authors.

The legality is simple. As long as your printing it for personal use only, and not to sell to others, you can print out the PDF however much you want. It would be in good taste not to give copies to others either. Only allow them to be used around your gaming table.

As long as your having only one copy made there should be no problems. If your doing a small print run, then questions should be asked.

 

[jdrakeh]

Kinko's will rake you over the coals on prices (if they'll print it at all). I recommend looking for smaller chains, such as Documart and Copy Experts (the latter is who I use locally and they give me a bulk discount everytime that I get a PDF printed and bound as a book).

 

[bodhi]

The legality is simple.

In my experience, this is never true, no matter what the subject.

In previous threads on the topic, it seems like everyone seems to agree (more or less) on what's reasonable, and arguably within Fair Use constraints. Thing is, (in the US, at least), only a judge can determine whether a specific instance is infringing or not.

So, you have a completely legal (bought by you, bought for you, promo freebie, whatever) copy of a PDF with the standard "no reproduction allowed" boilerplate. Are you legally able to make a single hardcopy printout for personal use? Arguably, and most likely, yes. However, policies will likely vary from store to store (and possibly from employee to employee). Some will say no to printing anything with a copyright notice. Some will require a form to be filled out by the copyright holder. Some will allow one for personal use.

So, shop around, find out what their policies are (and get them in writing if possible), and pick one. I think lulu.com got mentioned in the previous thread as an option.

Also, one idea that came up was for publishers to add to the boilerplate something along the lines of "permission is granted to the owner of this PDF to make one (1) printed copy for personal use" which I agree is a great idea.

 

[Treebore]

I believe Lulu's policy is to only print stuff they have permission to print from the publisher. If they print stuff up for individuals, that is material published by someone else, I have missed it.

It would be nice if PDF publishers that do not offer print would set up accounts with Lulu, etc... as another way to get it in print.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It would be nice if PDF publishers that do not offer print would set up accounts with Lulu, etc... as another way to get it in print.

Is there a big set-up fee for publishers? Because I can't figure out why companies that produce print-ready PDFs don't always do this. Quite a few of them say they have no interest in doing it, even when asked nicely.

 

[Treebore]

When I last read Lulu's printing guidelines the costs were alll built into the POD fee. I don't remember reading anything where the "creator" has to pay a fee to Lulu.

 

[FATDRAGONGAMES]

Staples had a great deal a while back, but I don't know if it still running. It would be worth your time to call a few of your local office supply stores and see who is offering what this week/month.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Printfu is a good online PDF-printing service.