Turning PDFs into Softcover Books

[elijah snow]

What is the cheapest, easiest way to turn pdfs into softcover books for home delivery?

I wish everyone had a lulu option (I'm looking at you Ari Marmell's Planar Factions).

 

[megamania]

Print them out on someone else's computer


Seriously, I don't know. I have interest in this also.

 

[dmccoy1693]

Take it to staples, have them print it out and bind it. I use to do this all the time with 160 page White Wolf books (back when I played Exalted) and it usually cost me less then $10. Had it same day, next day at the latest.

 

[Deset Gled]

Take it to staples, have them print it out and bind it.

Officemax, Office Depot, and Fedex/Kinkos all have the ability to do this as well. It's cheaper if you print it on your own paper, and have them bind it.

 

[jdrakeh]

Stay away from nationwide chains. Locally owned chains of copy/print shops (or single store fronts) typically have much better prices than places like Kinko's or FedEx, with comparable (or, sometimes, better) service. I use a place called Copy Experts in Colorado Springs (the downtown store, if anybody cares).

Earlier today, I had a 165 page copy of In Search of Adventure (the legal WotC distributed PDF) printed with a glossy, full color, cover image and spiral bound with a clear mylar front cover (it has a black vinyl back cover) for roughly $17 -- this same kind of print job (last I checked a couple of years back) would have cost about $25 to $33 at Kinko's.

 

[Boss]

In previous threads it has been stated that some chains, such as Kinko's, refuse to print out pdf's for fear of copyright restrictions, even if you have proof of purchase.

I recently went and purchased a binding machine (got it on sale for $100... about half price). I figure that with all the pdf's I purchase(d) through RPGNow it will more than make up for the cost of the binder and materials, which are relatively cheap.

As for printing, well, I cheat there. My company has some fantastic laser printers that are fast and print dual-sided.

 

[Aus_Snow]

In previous threads it has been stated that some chains, such as Kinko's, refuse to print out pdf's for fear of copyright restrictions, even if you have proof of purchase.

Yes, this can happen (it did to me, f'rex.) :\ I chose to get things bound (for a while; see below) at a local print shop (a Xerox shop, as it so happens) as they are cheaper, more professional, and much nicer to deal with.

I recently went and purchased a binding machine (got it on sale for $100... about half price). I figure that with all the pdf's I purchase(d) through RPGNow it will more than make up for the cost of the binder and materials, which are relatively cheap.

This is what I did too. A thermal binder can easily be found for a good price, and is not too expensive to run, either. Combined with an economic laser printer, it's basically a print shop at home, for cheap. A good investment, IME.

 

[SuStel]

As for printing, well, I cheat there. My company has some fantastic laser printers that are fast and print dual-sided.

And unmonitored...

 

[Asmor]

Earlier today, I had a 165 page copy of In Search of Adventure (the legal WotC distributed PDF) printed with a glossy, full color, cover image and spiral bound with a clear mylar front cover (it has a black vinyl back cover) for roughly $17 -- this same kind of print job (last I checked a couple of years back) would have cost about $25 to $33 at Kinko's.

That's how I usually do my printing at Staples... Full color glossy cover, clear plastic page over that, vinyl back page, coil binding and it usually ends up being around $12-15. The biggest I've done was the Savage Worlds setting Necropolis, almost 250 pages, and it was like $19 I think.

 

[jdrakeh]

That's how I usually do my printing at Staples... Full color glossy cover, clear plastic page over that, vinyl back page, coil binding and it usually ends up being around $12-15. The biggest I've done was the Savage Worlds setting Necropolis, almost 250 pages, and it was like $19 I think.

Crazy. They (Staples) charged me something like $9 for a similarly bound copy of Kill Puppies for Satan a few years back. Kill Puppies for Satan is somethign like 40 pages long. And, of course, I've run into some 'copyright' issues at Staples (namely, they wouldn't print legally purchased PDFs).

Ultimately, even if Staples has lowered their prices, the benefit of never having to jump through one-hundred hoops to get something printed is reason enough for me to avoid them. I can simply send a screen capture of my RPGNow receipt along with a PDF to Copy Experts, and they do the work with no questions asked.

 

[Asmor]

I've heard of such complaints, but never been refused. Actually, one guy was even curious if I'd written the stuff myself (this was the Necropolis campaign setting, IIRC), but in a conversational way, not a suspiscious "maybe I shouldn't be printing this..." way.

And I think the problem with Kill Puppies for Satan is that most of your costs are regardless of size... The binding's a couple books, the full color cover's a couple bucks (though KPfS doesn't really have a color cover...), etc, so you're talking $3-5 overhead without even printing the book itself.

 

[Tetsubo]

I'm one of the folks that has had issues with Staples in the past. They are one of the cheapest options open to me in my area. But they refuse to print anything that has even a *hint* of a copy right on it. I have a fan based PDF that I would like to get printed and bound but they won't touch it. They say they need written permission from the authors... who live in Brazil and other continents... It doesn't matter that the product is free or that it is simply a conversion of an older book... or that I own the original book and paid for it legally... I just want a copy for personal use... There was (past tense) an online printer of PDF documents but they seem to have gone out of business... I couldn't even get them to reply to me via email... I hate that I am treated like a criminal by Staples for wanting to print out a free document...

 

[bento]

Personally when I bind my printed pdfs I go with spiral bound. I like to fold the book in half when I'm reading it, without worrying that I'm spliting the spine.

I've typically go to FedEx/Kinkos with my already printed pages, and use their PCs to print out the really nice color covers, then have them laminate the covers and put the binding on. Typically it's around $12 for everything.

A couple of weeks ago I had them comb-bind my recently-finished adventure notes (player's journal, printed module, hand-drawn maps, etc.) and I think it cost about $7 including covers.

 

[BV210]

I used to run into problems like those mentioned before, but since my wife and I have opened our home printing business (www.vaughan-instant-publishing.com) I can print my own.

[Moderator, if this post is a no-no, please delete, and I apologize]

We offer printing services that might fit your needs.

Up to 50 pages, 28 lb non-glossy paper, color laminated cover:
- perfect bound - $4
- comb bound - $4.50

51-100 pages, 28 lb non-glossy paper, color laminated cover:
- perfect bound - $5.50
- comb bound - $6

101-150 pages, 28 lb non-glossy paper, color laminated cover:
- perfect bound - $7.50
- comb bound - $8

If anyone is interested, shoot me an e-mail to brent at vaughan-instant-publishing.com

 

[BV210]

One bump, and then I'll let this sleeping dog lie.

 

[jdrakeh]

And I think the problem with Kill Puppies for Satan is that most of your costs are regardless of size... The binding's a couple books, the full color cover's a couple bucks (though KPfS doesn't really have a color cover...), etc, so you're talking $3-5 overhead without even printing the book itself.

Nah, at least two local shops swing that print job for less than $7.00 and still manage to profit.

 

[Ajax1979]

I'd just like to put in another vote for local places over Staples/Kinkos. I have never had bad work from S/K, but I prefer local. If you can't find a local place call a Community College and see if they have a print shop.