Low numbers - Do they really make a difference

[Brian James Freeman]

Yep, here's the process in a nutshell:

1) We print up the signature sheets, including extras for PCs to account for damage, the author's copies, the publisher's copies, etc
2) We send these sheets to the author (and anyone else such as the artist) to sign
3) Once the sheets are back to us and the printer is ready to roll, we send them all kinds of stuff like "spec sheets" (which tells them what materials to use, etc), along with the big boxes of signed signature sheets
4) The signature sheets are "tipped" into the book during the printing and binding process
4A) They can be "machine tipped" -- meaning the sheets are fed into the front of the book during the printing/binding process automatically
4B) They can also be done by hand, meaning someone is standing there and the whole printing/binding process comes to a complete stop for EVERY book so the person can put one sheet in place -- this is VERY SLOW and EXPENSIVE, so you don't do it this way unless you have to. LEGACIES was done this way due to the number of sheets.
5) The books are finished and shipped back to us
6) The warehouse numbers/letters the books accordingly

Brian

[Tommy]

Yep, here's the process in a nutshell:

1) We print up the signature sheets, including extras for PCs to account for damage, the author's copies, the publisher's copies, etc
2) We send these sheets to the author (and anyone else such as the artist) to sign
3) Once the sheets are back to us and the printer is ready to roll, we send them all kinds of stuff like "spec sheets" (which tells them what materials to use, etc), along with the big boxes of signed signature sheets
4) The signature sheets are "tipped" into the book during the printing and binding process
4A) They can be "machine tipped" -- meaning the sheets are fed into the front of the book during the printing/binding process automatically
4B) They can also be done by hand, meaning someone is standing there and the whole printing/binding process comes to a complete stop for EVERY book so the person can put one sheet in place -- this is VERY SLOW and EXPENSIVE, so you don't do it this way unless you have to. LEGACIES was done this way due to the number of sheets.
5) The books are finished and shipped back to us
6) The warehouse numbers/letters the books accordingly

Brian

Sweet, thanks for that breakdown,

[Theli]

Very interesting, thanks for filling us in. I was wondering about the numbering and signing process myself.

[Brian James Freeman]

I'll go into a little more detail (with photos!) on my blog next week if I ever get a few minutes of free time.

Brian

[Dan Hocker]

I was actually thinking of posting a picture of a number sheet, but when I took the picture it looked like crap so I said maybe later.

[Ben Staad]

I'll go into a little more detail (with photos!) on my blog next week if I ever get a few minutes of free time.

Brian

I was actually thinking of posting a picture of a number sheet, but when I took the picture it looked like crap so I said maybe later.

Very interesting info. If there is anymore to the process I would love to hear it. Thanks.

[Brian James Freeman]

Very interesting info. If there is anymore to the process I would love to hear it. Thanks.

We'll get some photos and I will post in detail next week!

[Ben Staad]

We'll get some photos and I will post in detail next week!

Somehow I missed this. Looking forward to hearing more about the process. Thanks.

[FrankP]

There's lots of great info here for those of us "not in the know". Thanks Brian and Dan!

[T-Dogz_AK47]

I was actually thinking of posting a picture of a number sheet, but when I took the picture it looked like crap so I said maybe later.

Can you take another picture and post it? I would really like to see a number sheet.

Reading the posts on this thread has given me a lot of information about the processes that take place in book production. It is very interesting to read about. Thanks Brian and Dan for taking the time to explain things.