Printing Reports and Booklets at Urban Press

Printing Reports and Booklets FAQ's

PRINTING YOUR REPORTS AND BOOKETS AT URBAN PRESS
Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I start?
If you have the luxury of being at the front end of your report design process, we recommend the following steps. If you’re at the back end, don’t worry about it, click here to REQUEST AN ESTIMATE or just give us a CALL.

1) Put together a VISION for how you would like your report or booklet to look. Pull together samples of designs and sizes that you like, or do your best to jot down some notes about size of the finished piece; number of pages; type of paper; full color vs. black and white.

2) Get printing estimates for your report or booklet – that will help determine your BUDGET and the feasibility of your vision - BEFORE you design it.

What factors will impact the cost of printing my report or booklet?

Finished Size
Number of Pages
Thicker cover vs. self-cover
Full color vs. black vs. other options
Type of binding
Quantity
Paper

Finished Size: What is the largest size report or booklet Urban Press can print? What are some standard sizes? What is the smallest size?
We mean the size when the book is closed or the sheet is folded. Most of the booklets and reports that we produce at Urban Press are printed on our digital press which has a maximum sheet size of up to 19” x 13”. We made map books (think road atlas) for the Seattle DOT that were wire-o bound and measured 18 x 12.” Very cool. Or, if you want a booklet that can fit in your hip pocket, we can do that, too.

Standard size booklets are either 8.5 x 11 or 5.5 x 8.5. These sizes maximize the use of the press sheet and are more cost effective to bind. However if you want the road atlas or a pocket guide, we’re your gals!

Number of pages: How do I count the pages? Do page counts need to be divisible by 4?
When we ask you “how many pages is your report?” we literally want you to make a mock-up of your finished booklet, folded (if it will be saddle stapled on the spine), and number each side of each page – just like a book.

We will then ask, “Does your page count include the cover?” If not, we will ask if the cover prints on one side or both? This means will there be printing on the inside front and back covers as well as the outside front and back covers?

Divisible by 4? Huh? Yes, it is true, sometimes. If you are producing a booklet that is stapled on the fold (saddle stitch), then you must add or subtract full sheets to the book and each sheet has 4 numbered pages on it. (2 pages on the front, and 2 on the back before folding the sheet). However if you are using perfect binding, wire-o, or spiral coil, then you only need to add 2 pages (1 on the front, and 1 on the back) at a time.

Thicker cover vs. "self-cover:" What is a self-cover report?
A “self-cover” means that the covers and inside pages of your report or booket are printed on the same paper. Normally, this means a text-weight paper. Self-cover booklets are generally more cost effective.

If you prefer a heftier cover, we recommend using a coverstock – which can add some cost but adds durability and substance.

Full color vs. black: What is the relative cost difference between full color and black-only digital printing? Are there other options?
Most of the booklets and reports that we produce at Urban Press are printed on our digital press. A major advantage of digital printing is that it has put full color printing within the reach of non-profits and folks with tight budgets.

However if you really need to trim costs, consider printing your piece with a full color cover – both inside and out – and black printing on the inside pages, or even printing the whole book in black only. For most jobs, printing the insides or everything in black only will save upwards of 40%. We like to say: “there is no substitute for good design”, meaning that a book printed all or part in black can still be really attractive and powerful with a good design.

Traditional offset printing in one or two colors can provide some middle ground – especially if your booklets have shorter page counts (less than 20 pages) and you are printing 2,000 or more. The gals at Urban Press are happy to provide you with estimates for a variety of printing options!

Type of binding: What are my binding options and their relative cost?
Click on each heading below to see a sample and description of the binding option:
Saddle Stitching
Spiral Coil or Wire-O
Perfect Binding
Gate Fold/Single Sheet

Quantity:
Don’t be fooled, we just mean how many of the finished pieces do you want? Printing is a business where per-piece pricing is more advantageous in larger quantities. We will offer you pricing for smaller and larger quantities, so you can see that price curve. Urban Press doesn’t want to sell you more than you can use, but repeating a job in a month or two can be really expensive.

Paper:
There are hundreds of brands, colors, finishes & textures, and weights of paper. If you know just what you want, we can probably get it. If you want to see samples, we have sample books, just stop by.

If you just don’t know yet – we will ask you a series of questions about paper: Heavy like an index card or business card? Shiny? Obvious texture? Color, such as white, natural, red or seafoam green with little white flecks.

Digital printing is most effective with smooth papers, and we have stocks that we know will be successful for your project. Also, we have a broad selection of recycled papers - ranging from 10% recycled fiber to stocks made from 100% post-consumer waste (PCW) in factories powered by the wind.

What is a union bug? How about a recycle bug?
A union bug is small symbol that indicates your literature was printed by workers who belong to a labor union. Urban Press is a union shop and we are happy to include our “union bug” on your literature pieces at your request. This is especially important if you want to indicate that your materials were printed under fair working conditions.

A recycle bug indicates that your literature was printed on paper that includes recycled fiber content. Urban Press can recommend a variety of sheets that range from 10% to 100% post consumer recycled content.

Have no fear, no insects were killed in the printing of “bugs” on your reports.

Do you offer mailing services?
While we do not offer in-house mailing services, we collaborate with a owner-operated union shop – Yes! The Mailroom. We are happy to make a complimentary delivery of your mail piece to Yes! (upon receipt of payment – of course) but ask that you contact Winston Keys, owner of Yes the Mailroom , directly to arrange the details of your mailing.

When you call or email Urban Press to request an estimate, let us know if you are also interested in having us print custom catalogue or booklet envelopes {in one or two ink colors} so that your reports have a vehicle for mailing.

What are my next steps?
Complete our handy on-line Estimate Request Form or feel free to call us, or drop by in person (between 8AM – 4:30PM, M-Fri) to discuss your piece(s). For more ideas about your annual report, check out this excellent article from the folks at the Grassroots Fundraising Journal, Creating Effective Annual Reports.

	Printing Reports and Booklets FAQ's PRINTING YOUR REPORTS AND BOOKETS AT URBAN PRESS Frequently Asked Questions Where do I start? If you have the luxury of being at the front end of your report design process, we recommend the following steps. If you’re at the back end, don’t worry about it, click here to REQUEST AN ESTIMATE or just give us a CALL. 1) Put together a VISION for how you would like your report or booklet to look. Pull together samples of designs and sizes that you like, or do your best to jot down some notes about size of the finished piece; number of pages; type of paper; full color vs. black and white. 2) Get printing estimates for your report or booklet – that will help determine your BUDGET and the feasibility of your vision - BEFORE you design it. What factors will impact the cost of printing my report or booklet? Finished Size Number of Pages Thicker cover vs. self-cover Full color vs. black vs. other options Type of binding Quantity Paper Finished Size: What is the largest size report or booklet Urban Press can print? What are some standard sizes? What is the smallest size? We mean the size when the book is closed or the sheet is folded. Most of the booklets and reports that we produce at Urban Press are printed on our digital press which has a maximum sheet size of up to 19” x 13”. We made map books (think road atlas) for the Seattle DOT that were wire-o bound and measured 18 x 12.” Very cool. Or, if you want a booklet that can fit in your hip pocket, we can do that, too. Standard size booklets are either 8.5 x 11 or 5.5 x 8.5. These sizes maximize the use of the press sheet and are more cost effective to bind. However if you want the road atlas or a pocket guide, we’re your gals! Number of pages: How do I count the pages? Do page counts need to be divisible by 4? When we ask you “how many pages is your report?” we literally want you to make a mock-up of your finished booklet, folded (if it will be saddle stapled on the spine), and number each side of each page – just like a book. We will then ask, “Does your page count include the cover?” If not, we will ask if the cover prints on one side or both? This means will there be printing on the inside front and back covers as well as the outside front and back covers? Divisible by 4? Huh? Yes, it is true, sometimes. If you are producing a booklet that is stapled on the fold (saddle stitch), then you must add or subtract full sheets to the book and each sheet has 4 numbered pages on it. (2 pages on the front, and 2 on the back before folding the sheet). However if you are using perfect binding, wire-o, or spiral coil, then you only need to add 2 pages (1 on the front, and 1 on the back) at a time. Thicker cover vs. "self-cover:" What is a self-cover report? A “self-cover” means that the covers and inside pages of your report or booket are printed on the same paper. Normally, this means a text-weight paper. Self-cover booklets are generally more cost effective. If you prefer a heftier cover, we recommend using a coverstock – which can add some cost but adds durability and substance. Full color vs. black: What is the relative cost difference between full color and black-only digital printing? Are there other options? Most of the booklets and reports that we produce at Urban Press are printed on our digital press. A major advantage of digital printing is that it has put full color printing within the reach of non-profits and folks with tight budgets. However if you really need to trim costs, consider printing your piece with a full color cover – both inside and out – and black printing on the inside pages, or even printing the whole book in black only. For most jobs, printing the insides or everything in black only will save upwards of 40%. We like to say: “there is no substitute for good design”, meaning that a book printed all or part in black can still be really attractive and powerful with a good design. Traditional offset printing in one or two colors can provide some middle ground – especially if your booklets have shorter page counts (less than 20 pages) and you are printing 2,000 or more. The gals at Urban Press are happy to provide you with estimates for a variety of printing options! Type of binding: What are my binding options and their relative cost? Click on each heading below to see a sample and description of the binding option: Saddle Stitching Spiral Coil or Wire-O Perfect Binding Gate Fold/Single Sheet Quantity: Don’t be fooled, we just mean how many of the finished pieces do you want? Printing is a business where per-piece pricing is more advantageous in larger quantities. We will offer you pricing for smaller and larger quantities, so you can see that price curve. Urban Press doesn’t want to sell you more than you can use, but repeating a job in a month or two can be really expensive. Paper: There are hundreds of brands, colors, finishes & textures, and weights of paper. If you know just what you want, we can probably get it. If you want to see samples, we have sample books, just stop by. If you just don’t know yet – we will ask you a series of questions about paper: Heavy like an index card or business card? Shiny? Obvious texture? Color, such as white, natural, red or seafoam green with little white flecks. Digital printing is most effective with smooth papers, and we have stocks that we know will be successful for your project. Also, we have a broad selection of recycled papers - ranging from 10% recycled fiber to stocks made from 100% post-consumer waste (PCW) in factories powered by the wind. What is a union bug? How about a recycle bug? A union bug is small symbol that indicates your literature was printed by workers who belong to a labor union. Urban Press is a union shop and we are happy to include our “union bug” on your literature pieces at your request. This is especially important if you want to indicate that your materials were printed under fair working conditions. A recycle bug indicates that your literature was printed on paper that includes recycled fiber content. Urban Press can recommend a variety of sheets that range from 10% to 100% post consumer recycled content. Have no fear, no insects were killed in the printing of “bugs” on your reports. Do you offer mailing services? While we do not offer in-house mailing services, we collaborate with a owner-operated union shop – Yes! The Mailroom. We are happy to make a complimentary delivery of your mail piece to Yes! (upon receipt of payment – of course) but ask that you contact Winston Keys, owner of Yes the Mailroom , directly to arrange the details of your mailing. When you call or email Urban Press to request an estimate, let us know if you are also interested in having us print custom catalogue or booklet envelopes {in one or two ink colors} so that your reports have a vehicle for mailing. What are my next steps? Complete our handy on-line Estimate Request Form or feel free to call us, or drop by in person (between 8AM – 4:30PM, M-Fri) to discuss your piece(s). For more ideas about your annual report, check out this excellent article from the folks at the Grassroots Fundraising Journal, Creating Effective Annual Reports.		Introduction Products & Services Request An Estimate Send A File Printing Reports and Booklets FAQ's