Self Publishing: Defining Your Audience and Purpose
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Do you have an idea for a book but need some direction? Not sure of what materials and techniques to specify to the printer? Are you wondering what others in your genre are doing?
You’ll need to do some research if you haven’t already. One of the first things to do is clearly define your audience and purpose. Who will buy the book, and for what reason? Or is your book being given away? Will you sell direct to readers or through bookstores and other channels? What are other books in your potential category doing?
As a book printer, Marathon can assist you in the tangible decisions required to help you define your audience and purpose for self publishing a book. Many of the genres we produce will utilize associated techniques and materials.
Here’s a few examples for reference:
Historical Books like a small town history, genealogy or family history books have needs for durability and preservation (buckram cover materials or bonded leathers, even genuine leather)
Cloth bound art & photography coffee table editions
cloth bound photography annual with dust jacket exposed to show cloth and foil stamping on the spine
Coffee Table books featuring art and photography will more commonly use certain types of covers and dust jackets that have more of an aesthetic appeal. Some other options you will see in this style of book are: Printed/laminated hardcovers, and soft cover with or without flaps, (sometimes called French Flaps).
Assorted softcover and hardcover children’s editions
Children’s books (pictured above) need a certain type of hardcover or soft cover binding
Thin cased hard cover or soft cover with PUR Binding works well and is long lasting/durable and economical.
Assorted covers with Wire-o ™ binding
Cookbooks, calendars or student work books may want to utilize a wire-o or spiral binding
The above image shows an assortment of options you can utilize with Wire-O ™ binding.
If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail!
The analogy comes to mind with certain suppliers who make books, as they might only be able to offer one style of binding. Not every book project requires the same techniques. Fortunately, at Marathon Press, we have several options for customized solutions for your book publication, (even more than we have pictured here). I would be happy to assist you with a free consultation on your next book printing project to determine what technique might be best for you!
Free Consultation for Individuals & organizations!
When it's time to print your book, let us be your guide!
With over 30 years of Book Publishing experience, Marathon Press has helped thousands of clients self-publish anywhere from 20 to 50,000 copies of their book titles. Marathon has worked with several of the top names and organizations in the photography and photobook industry.
Some of the style variations we offer are: *Soft cover Wire-O, *Hard cover Wire-O and *Concealed Wire-O (both hard cover and soft cover) * Twin Loop with Calendar Hanger
Marathon’s Layflat Albums are produced with German Pro Photo paper which has a matte finish and a neutral white point with a slight shimmer. Water resistant so you can easily clean off a spill. Acid free and chlorine free.
Let us help guide you to the most appropriate paper options for your book project. We have 9 standard text options and 6 standard soft cover weight options for paperback books.
