March 2007 -Planning a Short Run or Digitally-Printed Book

The digital printing explosion makes short run production efficient and economical.

If you’ve ever planned or produced a short run, digitally-printed book project, you know they’re a different animal than a more traditional offset-printed application. That is mostly a result of the explosion of digital printing, which has introduced papers, toners and coatings that require their own handling methods.

At Muscle Bound, we have plenty of experience with the nuances of digitally-printed and short run book applications. Here are a few of the advantages we can offer on these projects:

Side sewing for strong books – Side sewing for case-bound books at Muscle Bound is a strong solution for thinner books. Unlike adhesive binding, side sewing is not affected by the presence of toner, fuser oil or any other digital print coatings.Consult with Muscle Bound for the best binding application for your short run projects.

Digital layflat film laminating – One common challenge for printers and binderies working with digitally-printed materials is the need for specialized film laminating services, a must for both hardcover and softcover books. The toners and fusers used on most digital presses require a specialized film to adhere properly. At Muscle Bound, we have experience working with layflat films designed specifically for use on digital printing applications, ensuring book covers and case-bound cover wraps stay protected for years to come.

Use Multiple-Up Layouts for Efficiency – The click charges common in the digital printing world put a premium on layouts that make the most efficient use of paper. Depending on the format of your books, a multiple-up layout can help reduce your printing costs by as much as 50%. Consult Muscle Bound for cutting and trimoff requirements when planning a layout.

Book planning help – The Muscle Bound Advantage
 Whether you have plenty of experience with short run and digital book production or you’re preparing your first project, Muscle Bound is your complete planning resource. Our experience with the entire life cycle of a short run book project can help you avoid mistakes that can waste time and money – two precious commodities for any application.