Is CraigsPress.com a traditional or non-traditional publisher?
CraigsPress.com is a non-traditional publisher. We're a "Do-it-Yourself,"
or DIY, self-publisher. There are many advantages to non-traditional publishing.
First of all, you always remain in complete control of the finished product because you get to do-it-yourself
and decide what text, images, illustrations, fonts, etc. to use within your book. You
retain the rights of your manuscript, unlike a traditional publisher, who may require that you sign over the copyright. The timeline
from start to finish is much quicker than a traditional publisher as well. Our publishing process can take as little as one hour or less to complete, as opposed to a traditional publisher, which often takes
two or more years to complete.
You have control over the selling price of your book, including how much
royalty you earn per copy sold. Additionally, you do not need an agent, eating into
potential profits in order to get your manuscript noticed, accepted and published.
Also, unlike traditional publishers who only market their most promising titles,
we make marketing materials and promotional services available to all titles through our à
la carte service menu.
Using print on demand technology instead of traditional print runs, we can now make publishing affordable and accessible to all.
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What is Print on Demand publishing?
Print on Demand publishing, or POD, is a method of book printing using digital technology
that makes book production easy and cost-effective, printing as they are ordered, either
one at a time or in large numbers. Instead of a more traditional mode of printing,
which only prints a large number at one time, POD is an "as needed" printer,
so there are no wasted books and no storage costs, which means that the
book can be available for an extended period of time, instead of the book being
"out of print" after one print run.
Who prints the POD books?
Books are printed by Lightning Source Inc., a leading U.S. book wholesaler specializing
in Print on Demand books. Launched in 1997, Lightning Source is a division of Ingram
Industries Inc.
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Where is the POD printer located?
Lightning Source's printing facilities are located in La Vergne, Tennessee, in the
United States, and in the United Kingdom in Milton Keynes, England.
What kind of paper is used to print the books?
We have arranged for Lightning Source to use only high quality paper and materials
in our books. All books are perfect bound, which is a standard for most paperback
books. A perfect bound book has a true spine with a flat surface where text can
be placed. The pages are cut evenly and glued and bound in the spine.
The 6" x 9" and 5" x 8" books are printed on 55lb., offset*, opaque,
444 PPI**, crème white and acid-free paper. The 8.25" x 11" books
are printed with 50lb., offset, opaque, 512 PPI, white and acid-free paper. For
all book sizes, the cover is printed on 100lb., offset, white enamel paper and laminated
(glossy).
*Offset is a type of paper that is suitable for book printing.
**PPI means "pages per inch." A page in this case means the actual piece
of paper, or front and back of a sheet of paper, which technically counts as two pages.
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Can I contact the printer?
Lightning Source works only with publishers, not individuals. If there are any issues
with a book regarding print quality or any other concerns, please contact our customer
service representatives.
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