This guide covers the process of turning a finished manuscript into printed books. It follows six stages in order, from preparation through delivery and sales. Each stage links to a dedicated page where the topic is covered in full.

Before You Print

Three things need to be in place before you contact a printer: a finished manuscript, professional editing, and an ISBN.

Editing

Every book requires professional editing. This is separate from the printing process, and Origin Books does not offer editing services. Plan your editing timeline before approaching a printer — good editors book weeks or months in advance. Allow at least two to three months between completing your first draft and submitting final files to a printer.

Three levels of editing apply to most manuscripts:

Developmental editing addresses structure, pacing, and overall effectiveness.
Copy editing corrects grammar, punctuation, consistency, and sentence-level clarity.
Proofreading catches remaining typos and formatting errors.

At minimum, invest in copy editing and proofreading. Changes after printing require a full reprint, so your manuscript should be clean before files are submitted.

ISBN

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a 13-digit identifier required for selling through bookstores, online retailers, and libraries. Each format of your book — paperback, hardcover, eBook — needs its own ISBN.

In the United States, Bowker (myidentifiers.com) is the sole authorized provider:

1 ISBN: approximately $125
10 ISBNs: approximately $295

If you plan multiple formats or future titles, buying a block of 10 saves money over time. Some platforms offer free ISBNs, but the platform is listed as publisher of record and the number cannot be transferred. For full ownership, purchase your own.

Our ISBN and Barcode guide covers the full process including barcode generation and placement.

Library of Congress Control Number

An LCCN makes your book easier for libraries to catalog. It is free but must be requested before publication.

Choosing Your Book’s Specifications

These decisions determine how your book looks, feels, and costs.

Binding

Softcover (perfect bound). 32–900 pages. The most common format. A flexible cover wraps around a glued spine. Suits fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir, and most genres.
Hardcover (case bound). 24–900 pages. Rigid covers in printed, cloth, or imitation leather. Higher production cost, but commands a higher retail price. Suits gift books, reference works, and titles intended for long-term use.
Spiral and wire-o. 20–450 pages. Pages lie flat when open. Suits cookbooks, workbooks, manuals, planners, and music books.

Trim Size

The three most common sizes:

5.5 × 8.5 inches — compact, popular for novels and memoirs
6 × 9 inches — the most widely used size for trade nonfiction and paperbacks (this is the standard in our pricing examples)
8.5 × 11 inches — full letter size, common for workbooks, textbooks, and illustrated books

Custom sizes are available. If you are unsure, 6 × 9 fits most book types.

Page Count

Page count directly affects printing cost. Every sheet of paper has two sides, so the total must be even. Origin Books requires a minimum of 32 pages for softcover, 24 for hardcover, and 20 for spiral binding.

When estimating your page count, include front matter (title page, copyright page, table of contents) and back matter (acknowledgments, about the author, index). A standard 6×9 manuscript of 70,000 words typically produces approximately 280 printed pages.

Interior Printing

Black-and-white is standard for text-heavy books and costs significantly less than color. Full-color is necessary for photography, art, illustrated content, and some children’s books. Mixed layouts — B&W text with color photo sections — are also possible.

Paper and Cover

Interior paper options include white or cream, coated or uncoated, in weights from 60lb to 80lb. All interior paper stocks from Origin Books carry Rainforest Alliance certification. See Paper and Materials for the full selection.

Cover finishes include matte and gloss lamination. Premium options — 3D Spot UV, foil stamping, metallic printing, rounded corners — add visual and tactile distinction.

Choosing Your Quantity

Your first print run should match your realistic distribution plan. Consider how many copies you will sell at events, through your own website, to friends and family, and through other channels. A common first order for a self-published author is 100–250 copies.

Printing more copies lowers the per-unit cost, but unsold inventory ties up your investment. Short-run printing makes it cost-effective to reorder in moderate quantities as you sell through each batch.

Orders of 100 or more books ship free.

For a full cost breakdown that includes editing, design, ISBN, and marketing alongside printing, see Cost to Self-Publish a Book.

Preparing Your Files

Your printer needs print-ready PDF files: one for the interior (all pages in order) and one for the cover (front, spine, and back as a single spread).

Key Requirements

PDF format with all fonts embedded
Images at 300 DPI minimum at final printed size
CMYK color mode for all color elements
Correct trim size with 0.125-inch bleed where images reach the page edge
Even page count
Spine width matched to your page count and paper stock

Origin Books provides templates for cover and interior layout, including a spine width calculator and cover template generator. Detailed specifications are in our file preparation guide.

Professional Design

If you prefer to have your cover and interior designed professionally, Origin Books offers in-house design services. Cover design starts at $89. Interior design and typesetting starts at $399. Three tiers are available for each, with pricing based on complexity. Our designers build files to print-production specifications, so the result is print-ready on delivery.

The Production Process

Ordering

Place your order through the pricing tool. Select your specifications, upload your print-ready files (or start design services), and submit a half-down deposit. Origin Books assigns a dedicated representative to your project at this point. That person oversees your order through delivery.

Proofing

Before the full print run begins, Origin Books sends a digital proof — a PDF of your book as it will appear in print. Review it for:

Text accuracy and formatting
Image quality and placement
Page order and numbering
Cover layout and spine alignment
Barcode placement and readability

You can also request a physical proof copy for an additional cost. Physical proofs reveal things a screen cannot: color accuracy, paper texture, binding quality, and how the book feels in hand. A physical proof is recommended for first-time projects and any book with color content.

Take time with the proof. Read the entire text. Check every image. Verify the back cover, spine, and barcode. Have another person review it — a fresh set of eyes catches errors that familiarity hides.

Once you approve the proof, the full print run begins. Changes after approval may delay production.

Production Timelines

Softcover: 5–10 business days from proof approval
Hardcover: 5–6 weeks from proof approval

If you have a deadline — a book launch, conference, or holiday season — plan backward from that date and communicate your timeline when you place your order.

Shipping

Origin Books ships via UPS Ground, with delivery in 1–7 business days depending on location. Expedited shipping options are available. Orders of 100 or more books ship free.

After Your Books Arrive

Printing is one stage. Reaching readers is the next.

Direct sales. Sell directly through your own website, at events, or through bookstores. You set the retail price and keep 100% of the profit.

Retail and library distribution. Getting your book into bookstores, libraries, and online retailers requires a distribution strategy. Options include Amazon (through KDP or as a third-party seller), IngramSpark for broader retail and library reach, and direct outreach to independent bookstores. Our Distribution Guide covers each channel in detail.

Book launch. A coordinated launch — advance reader copies, a launch event, pre-release reviews, and a marketing push — gives your book the strongest start. Our Book Launch Planning Guide provides a timeline and checklist.

Last updated: January 2026