Selecting the right paper

[lufkincy]

I have seen several questions concerning types of paper to use. Several things come into play.

The most common methods of printing are: laserprinter, ink-jet printer, and copier.

If you use graphics and plan to print in black and white, you want to convert these graphics to 8-bit greyscale.

From your local office supply store or from the Internet get a sufficient supply of 70# book or offset paper or a minimum of 24# bond. You do not want to use a regular 20# bond for your cookbook.

If you have a laserprinter, you can print your own copies. You will have to do your own cost analysis when it comes to determining whether it is less expensive to do it yourself or to outsource it. Toner is the main consideration, but you can save about 50% by getting a toner refill kit.

Copiers have improved substantially in recent years. A properly maintained mid-range or high-speed copier can compete qualitywise with offset or digital printing. You can find copyshops on the web that will provide collated sets of 8.5x11 sheets for $.01 per sheet - including paper - a little more for a heavier paper stock.

If you want to print in color, you will need either a color laserprinter or inkjet printer. For my covers I use a high-gloss card stock and print on my inkjet. For my inside pages I use a 70# offset rather than 70# book because the offset has a harder surface and the photos come out better.

I do all of my booklets 2-up on half sheets and try to make each a minimum o 100 pages plus cover. If I want 50 cookbooks I will print 25 sets of 2-up sheets using the cookbook software and then 25 sets of front and back covers through my page makeup software - PageMaker. I then marry the covers to the inside pages and take them to our local Kwik Kopy print shop and have them cut into the 50 books, punch and bind them. I prefer the plastic coil rather than the GBC cerlox binding.

My out-of-pocket cost per cookbook is a little less than $2.50 each.

[Ruth]

Nice post, Cy!

I find that the card stocks don't run through many laser/inkjet printers well without jamming, so you definitely want to test it out before buying lots of paper.

From your post, I couldn't quite tell--are you offering your printing services to the Cookbook People community? If so, that's great! (If not, you might want to clarify.)

Anyway, there's something really fun about printing a book out on your own computer. There are lots of places you can outsource it to, but for me I really like the control and sense of satisfaction I get out of doing it myself.

[mahler1987]

I just finished our Community cookbook.  Half sheet sized, traditional.  It turned out awesome on 32# paper.  I had it coil bound with a clear plastic front and a solid colored back cover.  I couldnt have gotten this same quality off our inkjet. 

My thoughts are now turning to a family cookbook.  I have found I am utterly in love with a 32 # paper that has a 25% linen content.  Talk about feeling luscious and an added bonus is that its less likely to tear given the linen content.  Makes for I relatively durable cookbook.

One thought for those considering using their home printer.  Take a look at its duty cycle.  I was rather shocked and disappointed at how little wear and tear they can actually handle

Pattie