Our Services: Short Print Run

Program Defined

• Short print run (SPR) entails printing small quantities of a title to stock rather than
  printing to order, though at much lower quantities than a traditional offset printing
  would require.
• In addition to allowing Clients to print relatively small quantities of slower-moving
  titles, SPR provides a convenient means of inexpensively producing and distributing
  galleys on forthcoming titles and of stripping and rebinding excess hardcovers to
  trade paperback.
• Can be used for any paperback title or galley that falls within the minimum and
  maximum trim sizes defined on the pricing schedule.
• General rule of thumb for putting paperback titles into SPR: titles selling fewer than
  500 units in a 12 month period.

FAQ

1. Why would a publisher consider putting a book in the short print run program?
   Short Print Run can benefit a title and a publisher in many ways. While it can be used as part of the “long tail” solution, digital print also provides solutions previously unavailable with traditional offset printing:
   • Gap printing between two editions
   • Desk copy printings for academic titles
   • Quick fulfillment on dormant titles or NYP titles that surge due to an unforeseen event
   • Economical galleys
   • On-site stripping and rebinding of excess hardcovers to trade paperback
   Finally, digital print is indeed the ideal solution for a title that is slowing down in sales but still has demand: it provides an economical solution to the problem of printing long and thereby creating overstock or obsolete inventory.
2. I’ve always understood there to be a marked difference in quality between
   offset printing and SPR. How can I evaluate how important that difference is?
   While this was true at one time, digital print has made quantum leaps over the last 5
   years in terms of halftone, grayscale, line art, and 4/c process for covers. Paper has
   also improved, making the overall look and feel of the digital product comparable to
   offset in both b/w and color. In addition, a Client can improve the quality of the
   digitally printed book by observing some basic guidelines:
   • Supply PDFs wherever possible (or working files that can be used to create
     PDFs for a small fee): scanning titles puts one more generation between files
     and the original artwork.
   • Realize that shading or gradation are printed differently in the digital process
     and consider changing the element before creating a PDF to improve contrast and readability if the element contains type. (That said, printer settings render these old hurdles almost nonexistent.)
   • Balance the artwork in the native application before creating a PDF: there is
     no dot gain in digital print!
   • Finally, keep in mind that digital printing will not improve images that were
     problematic for offset printing.

   Constellation can provide profiles for PDF creation that will optimize your PDFs for digital print. And we will gladly print a proof of your books for free if you have any doubts: simply send us a file.

3. How are print quantities decided?
   Clients have a choice of either Automated or Manual reprint mode. A Client opting for automated reprinting relies on the system to keep titles in stock. Reprints are evaluated and executed daily with the system maintaining available inventory levels of between 1 and 4 months’ supply with a minimum order of 10 and a maximum of a calculated bin capacity (based on page count / spine width). A Client opting for Manual reprinting must approve every reprint. Reprints are recommended weekly and it is up to the Client to decide when to reprint. The selection of Automated or Manual reprint mode is made at the Client level; we cannot accommodate mixed modes of reprinting with a single Client.
4. Can a publisher deviate from the system-generated reprint recommendations?
   In either Automated or Manual mode, a Client may place a manual order with Constellation for a title that has more than one month’s supply available at any time (e.g., for an author event or to meet anticipated increases in demand). All galley orders will require a manual order.
5. What turn time can I expect on short print run orders?
   Print priorities are set based on first come first serve order basis with consideration given to low inventory levels when requested by the Client. All inventory will be on the shelf within 5–7 working days.
6. What are the limitations to the types of books that can be produced in the Constellation
   Digital Print facility?
   Binding style will be limited to paperback. There are maximum and minimum trim sizes and page counts, which are outlined in the pricing schedule. However, Edwards Brothers in Ann Arbor has the ability to manufacture hardcover, jacketed digital editions. Books can be consolidated on weekly trucks into Jackson (pro-rated freight to be paid by Client). The schedule is 3 weeks order to delivery.
7. Will I be able to see total costs before I commit to a set of print recommendations or
   before automatically generated reprint orders are fulfilled?
   Constellation will provide you with an estimating tool that you can use to approximate print
   costs on any particular title. If you have opted for the manual mode of reprint approval, you
   can use this tool in conjunction with the list of suggested reprints to gauge the total cost of
   that week’s print recommendations. However, if you have opted for the automated mode of
   reprint approval, those orders will be automatically placed on a weekly basis without the
   opportunity to review that week’s cost.
8. Is there a recycled paper option?
   Yes. The digital print center will stock a 50# 440PPI cream and 50# 606 PPI white sheet. Please see the pricing schedule for details.
9. Can Constellation make PDFs from application files?
   Yes, for a fee, and provided all fonts and images are supplied.
10. If Edwards Brothers has done offset work for a Client, can the files be transferred over
    for digital?
    Yes, for a fee charged by EB and passed through with no mark-up. On the metadata form, mark that you will supply files and indicate in the notes that the files are on hand with Edwards Brothers.
11. Can the Jackson warehouse handle a galley mailing for galley printings done through
    Constellation in Jackson?
    Yes. This currently requires a work order that is included in the galley order form. Please note that additional charges apply for packing and shipping above the cost of manufacturing the galley. Client will need to supply any additional materials to be inserted into the package along with mailing labels.
12. If I’ve enrolled in both SPR and POD, and I’d like to make a title available for digital print, how do I toggle between the two printing methods for a particular title?
    We recommend that a client make all SPR titles available for printing in the POD program. However, the client can control SPR or POD program participation at the time of title submission and through communication with their Constellation contact.
13. What equipment will be used to print the text and covers?
    Text will be printed with Oce Varioprint 6250 printers, which are known for their halftone quality, and covers will be printed on an Oce 650.