Comments on: 12 Steps to becoming a better print buyer

By: Kevin Dunn

Kevin Dunn — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:18:00 +0000

Hi Ron,

Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions. I know you said that you would elaborate on number 12 (“Handling Problems”) next month, but I really could use your advice on how to handle a print job that has gone bad.

Back in February I had 2,000 7×10 92-pages perfect bound books printed. After receiving the books I noticed that the front covers on a few of them were curling slightly, which I didn’t make too much of at the time although I did mention it to one of the service reps at the printers.

Now several months later, I am noticing that many of the front and back covers on the books are not only curling severely, but peeling as well. I spoke with someone at the printer’s who examined one of their copies and witnessed the same curling and peeling. She spoke with her manager who directed her to ask me what I wanted done. My reply was that I still had about 1200 books in stock, all of which were showing signs of curling and peeling, and that I would like them to replace the books. She said that she would talk to her manager and get back to me.

My question Ron is, in a case like this, what remedies are available to me? Is the printer obligated to replace the defective books? I would appreciate your comments on this and any other suggestions that you think may be helpful in this situation.

Thanks.

Kevin Dunn
Invision Publications
1136 Sherman Ave, Suite C4
Bronx, NY 10456
718-538-6102
http://www.puzzlesforus.com

By: lesley

lesley — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 01:53:36 +0000

is there any real difference between digital and offset printing?

Please refer to an article I wrote a few years back on the subject. Not much has changed since then. It is located at http://www.publishingbasics.com/newsletter/mar2003/askron.html

By: Tom Campbell

Tom Campbell — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:54:38 +0000

Ron
Great article and you are so right about the recycled paper and how many book printers still exist. The only point I would add for your readers when reviewing the quote make sure you try and get all the costs or cash that is coming out of the consumers pocket. Cost of the print job, cost for additional proofs, cost to send proofs and cost to ship the job. The biggest challenge is the freight logistics and predicting those cost with the changes in fuel these days but ask so you have a directionally correct estimate. Good job as always.
Tom

By: Walt Shiel

Walt Shiel — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:25:58 +0000

On recycled paper, I’m with you, Ron. Few independent presses or self-publishers can afford to waste money. And the jury is still out as to whether recycled paper truly saves trees or actually harms the environment because of the additional chemicals required for processing.

I think too many people have jumped on the bandwagon without actually knowing anything about this country’s woodlands, lumbering in general, and pulp production in specific. I live in a remote northern area on 40 wooded acres and keep close tabs on that end of the business. When prices and demand are right, we will sell a lot of our “junk” trees for pulp. Yes, most pulp is made from trees that aren’t good for much else…and they replace themselves rapidly. Trust me, it’s a constant battle to keep our 40 cleared reasonably well. My chainsaw and I produce a lot of firewood every year.

Using 100% recycled paper might make you feel good inside, but it probably will have zero impact on our environment. Sort of like using ethanol…but that’s a whole ‘nother critter.

By: Jim Potter

Jim Potter — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 01:34:32 +0000

Hello Ron,
I really appreciate your valuable comments. They are timely for me. Yes, we will proof the proofs! Now that I’ve read your article I will also value the positive relationship we’ve developed with the printer even more. There is no slave-master in it, only the feeling of partnership.
Ron, in a recent article you wrote in the Independent for PMA, you said that “with an additional expenditure of slightly less than $70–enough to get a book listed on major Web sities such as Amazon.com and bm.com.” I checked the web-sites you referred to and found nothing helpful for getting on Amazon. Will you give me more info on this? Sincerely, Jim

By: Dar Hosta

Dar Hosta — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:47:38 +0000

Ron, I have to vehemently disagree with your encouragement to NOT use recycled paper and, frankly, I\’m astounded by that advice. Publisher\’s Marketing Association, which many of us small and independent publishers belong to, has been promoting the use of recycled paper for years, going so far as to draft a treaty on it for members to participate in. When my fourth book was about to go to press, PMA\’s lead article that month just happened to be a scolding to those of us who had yet to make the switch. I called my printer and switched that very day, a decision that cost me ONLY 12 cents per book.

Your advice flies in the face of every current sentiment to make your life and your business, whether it be small or large, more green and Earth friendly. The notion that people with a conscience about the health of our planet should wait until \”the large publishers feel it\’s more important\” is offensive. If we all waited for Big Business to care about things that ARE important, this planet of ours would be in terrible shape, indeed.

In the words of the English writer, Sydney Smith, \”It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can.\”

I will only be using recycled paper in my titles from now on. It is cost I am happy to incur. I have done something that I can.

NOTE: If using recycled paper makes you feel good, fine. If you think it will help you sell books, that\’s also fine. To use it for the sake of using it does not make good business sense. It\’s too expensive. If you produce a book that is too expensive, you\’ll save lots of trees because you won\’t sell many books.

Ron

By: Jeff Dobkin

Jeff Dobkin — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:11:08 +0000

nice article, Ron…