Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Howard
When I look at my shelves of automotive books with their many different sizes, the weight of the paper and the quality of the printing, I can't really imagine them being replaced by books laser printed on 80gsm paper, with print quality that goes with that process.
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Umm, how do I politely say, Kevin, that your lack of knowledge in this area is showing? For example, consider this snip from one of our several POD suppliers...
Lightning Source Paper (one of their several choices in paper):
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Color: Accent Opaque White
Brightness: 96
WT: 70#
PPI: 385
Opacity: 96
Finish: Smooth
Virgin Fiber - no recycle content
This paper is acid free and lignin free. It meets all ANSI standards for archival quality paper.
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I believe their 70 pound paper is equal to about 110 gsm. Whatever the actual number, the paper is the same as the high quality traditional paper we use.
Same company, size specs
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Perfect sizes - 12
5 x 8, 5.06 x 7.81, 5.5 x 8.5, 5.83 x 8.27, 6 x 9, 6.14 x 9.21, 6.69 x 9.61, 7.44 x 9.69, 7.5 x 9.25, 7 x 10, 8.25 x 11, 8.268 x 11.69
Case Laminate sizes - 4
5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, 6.14 x 9.21, 7 x 10.
Cloth sizes - 3
5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, 6.14 x 9.21.
Jacketed sizes - 3
5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, 6.14 x 9.21.
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Note: that other POD companies do much larger books as well as unusual sizes
POD print quality is now indistinguishable from traditional book print. Indeed in the last large colour-book run my publishing company did, we were rather frustrated that the traditional print job - from one of the most reputable printing companies in the business - came back inferior to the print-on-demand... and it took 3 months and twenty thousand dollars before we realised it. Yes they will rerun the job at their cost, but we will have to pay the dock & customs charges twice... and they are substantial
We have done art books, probably the most demanding of all publications using POD - full colour on coated paper, archival quality and outstanding... and more importantly, accurate, colour reproduction.
We use traditional printing because it is cheaper when we know the number that will sell. But we are witnessing a wholesale change in the market, where in 2009 POD is going mainstream. With companies like Lightning Source (that only sells to the trade and does not have a retail order entry), consumers may have no idea they just purchased a POD.
When you speak of 80 gsm paper using laser printing, you are not talking about real POD, which uses million dollar huge machines running an entirely different process. It's like comparing a Cessna 172 to a Boeing 737. Different industry.
The business case for the many different sized automotive books on your shelf cannot stand up to POD. Enjoy what is on your shelf, for sooner than we may think, much of it is mostly likely to go the way of engraved business and calling cards.
Claude