FAQ’s

BookLogix has been in business since 2009.

BookLogix is a nontraditional book publisher.  Authors who work with us fund the publishing process and own all the rights to their books.  Authors have the option of publishing under one of our four (4) imprints.  BookLogix does not buy the rights to manuscripts or pay advances.

All authors who work with BookLogix own and keep all the rights to their work.

You can request a free quote by:

• Calling (470) 239-8547
• Emailing publishing@booklogix.com
• Filling out our contact request form
• Filling out a Print Quote Request form
• Filling out a Publishing Quote Request form

You can get started by:

• Calling (470) 239-8547
• Emailing publishing@booklogix.com
• Filling out our contact request form
• Filling out a Print Quote Request form
• Filling out a Publishing Quote Request form

For publishing: 

We can work with any file type that you have.

If you plan to use our publishing services, such as editorial and layout/formatting, most authors submit a Microsoft Word file of their manuscript.

Some authors only have a physical copy of their material that was handwritten or typed on a typewriter. BookLogix offers services to turn those documents into electronic files.

If you are providing images or artwork to us for your book, we accept high-resolution jpeg or png files, PDF files, or physical materials to be scanned.

Not sure what type of file you should submit to us? Just ask, we’re happy to assist!

For printing: 

We most commonly work with print-ready PDF files. Our pre-press and design staff are fluent with all of the common design, layout, and word processing programs on both Windows PCs and Apple Computers. That list of programs includes; Adobe Creative Suite (consists of: Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop) and Microsoft Office (consists of: Excel, Word, and Publisher). If you use a program that is not listed please contact us for assistance.

Please include all source material (images, photographs, scans, etc.) you used to create your files. If you are using non-system standard fonts please include them with your source files also. Having these items can reduce delay if we encounter an issue with your files.

• Why PDF files?: PDF files are compatible across multiple platforms. A PDF format represents a document independently of the hardware, operating system and software used to create the original PDF file. It was designed to create transferable documents that can be shared across multiple computer platforms.

• Created with the “press optimized or high quality” preset distiller settings.
• Include all blank pages.
• Have all fonts embedded.
• Supply at final trim size and without crop marks for non-bleed documents, bleed pages should have image extended 1/4″ past the final trim size and may include crop marks space 3/8″ from the final trim.
• CMYK Color profile for books with color or for cover files.

Each book’s process is unique, but the average length of time to publish a book is two to four months.   The amount of time will depend on the services you select and the length of your book.

Yes! BookLogix prints our clients’ books in our facility.  We offer a variety of softcover and hardcover options.  Click here to learn more about our printing options.

BookLogix prints and binds hardcover books with a variety of options for clients to choose from.  Hardcover books are produced in our facility in Alpharetta, GA.

Yes.  BookLogix will print a sample of your book, often called a “proof” before we print your book order.  Your proof will be shipped to you or you can pick it up in person.  We will not go to print on your order until you approve the proof.

After we receive your proof approval, we schedule your book for production. BookLogix always aims for the fastest turnaround time possible while maintaining quality and consistency.

Our standard turnaround time for softcover/paperback books is 7–10 business days.

Custom books and hardcover books require more attention during production, and on average take 10–20 business days.

Rush options are available for an additional fee.

Your book size is very important because it can impact your print and production cost, shipping or warehousing costs, and how book stores view your book for display or shelving purposes. Below is a list of sizes and their common applications in the industry.

• Paperback / Trade Paperbacks are often in the 5.5″ x 8.5“ to 6″ x 9“ range.
• Novels often appear in 5.5″ x 8.5“, 5″ x 8“ for shorter pieces while longer novels tend to be 6″ x 9“ to avoid becoming thick and daunting to potential readers. Short story compilations also are produced in these sizes.
• Manuals / Workbooks range from 7″ x 10″, 8″ x 10“, 8.5″ x 11“ in size. This size is also good for directories and instructional/educational books with lots of graphics or detailed charts.
• Theses and Essay collections are typically 8.5″ x 11″ following the standard college ruled paper size.
• General nonfiction titles are 6″ x 9“ making this size the most popular of all. Most hardcover books also are in this size as it fits well in the hands for comfortable reading.
• Photography / Art books don’t follow any particular size structure. They can be very small, or big and heavy “coffee-table” books. In our experience the most common sizes are 11″ x 8.5″, 10″ x 10″, 11″ x 11″, 12″ x 12″, or a specific custom size.
• Children’s Books are commonly 9″ x 6″, 8″ x 8″, or 8.5″ x 8.5″.

At the end of the day… it is YOUR book and you can make it any size you like.

BookLogix’s minimum quantity for print orders is 50 books.

Selecting the right binding method for your book is just as important as selecting the right size. Binding methods each have their own applications and limitations. Below we explain each type for you under two main categories, Softcover and Hardcover.

Softcover methods:

• Perfect Binding: Pages are stacked and milled along the spine to improve the bond between the paper and the glue. An industrial glue is applied to the spine where the pages are then mated to a card-stock cover. The book is then trimmed on three sides to complete the “perfect” look where pages are flush with the cover. Perfect Binding is common with most fiction and non-fiction books and is widely used throughout the industry as it enables printing on the spine of a cover.
• Perfect Binding with Flaps: Similar to regular perfect binding with an addition of flaps on the cover to create a “dust-jacket like” book in paperback format. Pages are stacked and milled along the spine to improve the bond between the paper and the glue. An industrial glue is applied to the spine where the pages are then mated to a card-stock cover. The book is then trimmed on two sides to complete the “perfect” look on the top and bottom of the book, and the flaps are scored and folded inwards. Perfect Binding with flaps is becoming a popular new format and offers a more elegant presentation to a softcover book. The flaps can have additional information about the book on them and serve as a bookmark.
  • Binding Tip: Perfect bound books have a minimum page requirement in order for the cover to bond correctly to the text. This minimum varies depending on the thickness of paper used. Perfect binding has a maximum binding thickness of 2.1 inches.
• Saddle Stitched: Pages are stapled in the middle to bind the pages together. They can also be “self-cover” where a cover stock is not used and the text itself is the cover of the book. Saddle Stitched books do not have a spine that can be printed on. Saddle Stitching is popular with children’s books, manuals, calendars, and other educational material. Saddle Stitching has a maximum binding tolerance of 60 pages depending on the weight (thickness) of the paper used.
• Plastic Coil: Pages and covers are mechanically hole punched along the spine and a flexible plastic coil is then wound through the holes. Plastic coil is commonly used for manuals, workbooks, reports, and educational materials as it allows the book to easily open and lay flat. Plastic coil sizes vary depending on the amount of pages used and the thickness of the paper selected, however, they come at a minimum diameter of 6MM and a maximum of 50MM. Plastic coils are available in 45 different colors although not all colors are stocked as standard.
• Wire-O (a.k.a. Twin Loop): Wire-O books are produced similarly to Plastic coil books in that pages and covers are mechanically punched along the spine. Wire-O then inserts a wire comb and is then “crimped” closed binding the book together. Wire-O’s applications are similar to Plastic coil, manuals, workbooks, reports, and educational materials. Many Cookbooks are also bound with this method. Wire-O is unique from plastic coil in that it allows a hard cover to be used for a more elegant look and increased durability. Wire-O has a maximum binding limitation of 250 pages depending on the weight (thickness) of the paper used.

Hardcover methods:

• Case bound: Pages are either printed in “signature format” and sewn or printed as sheets, stacked, milled and glued (and sewn on top of gluing if requested). Both are then reinforced by a cloth with industrial glue along the spine. The hardcover is made of firm solid cardboard where a linen (cloth) or leatherette wrap is glued to the boards. The book block’s end sheets are then mated to a hardcover with industrial glue, and the whole assembly is inserted into a press.
• Case Wrapped: Manufactured the same as a Case Bound book but instead of a cloth (linen) or leatherette cover, a printed and laminated sheet is wrapped to the boards of the cover. This is often called an “Image Wrapped” cover. Children’s books and text books are typically “Image Wrapped.” Case binding is common among many genres of books and often used when a more elegant finish to the book is desired with increased durability. Case bound (hardcover) books are considered the “luxury” tier of book binding and come at a premium over perfect binding. Case bound books also have options for additional appearance enhancing features such as head bands, bookmark ribbons, embossing, foil stamping, and die cutting. A Dust Jacket is often used with hardcover books as additional protection to the hardcovers decorative finishes.

Still not sure? Our team can help you select the best option for your book.

Think of lamination as the nice clear coat of paint on your car. It is the protective layer that protects the cover from scrapes, scratches, and fading.

• Gloss lamination can make colors “pop” well and images more crisp, with a smooth glass-like feel. It is easier to “wipe clean” and often preferred for children’s books.
• Matte Lamination “softens” colors and provides a velvety finish for a more comfortable feeling to the book. Bookstores often prefer the look and feel of matte lamination.

As part of our pre-press process our pre-press department will review your files.

But there are things you can do to ensure we receive the files correctly…

Things to consider when setting up your print files

• There should be no critical elements printing close to final trim. Use 1/4″ as a “safe zone” around all sides of the page and or cover.
• Any image/picture that extends to final trim must bleed 1/4″ beyond final trim. Text on bleed pages should not be closer than 1/8″ to final trim. See “What is Bleed?” for more information.
• To maintain a consistent professional look use “Master Pages” for common book elements such as headers, footers, and tabs.
• Use organized and meaningful file names. Example: Title_revision number.pdf (Note: File names should not exceed 21 alphanumeric characters, please do not use special characters in file names.)
• For images–both greyscale and color–Please use a minimum of 300dpi and a maximum of 600dpi.
• Save yourself time, money, and hassle! If you are not sure how to set up your book consult your project manager with any questions, we are more than happy to help.

Bleed is a term that refers to printing that goes beyond the edge of the sheet before trimming. In other words, the bleed is the area to be trimmed off. The bleed is the part on the side of a document that gives the printer a small amount of space to account for movement of the paper, and design inconsistencies. Artwork and background colors can extend into the bleed area. After trimming, the bleed ensures that no unprinted edges occur in the final trimmed book.

It is very difficult to print exactly to the edge of a sheet of paper so, to achieve this, it is necessary to print a slightly larger area than is needed and then trim the paper down to the required finished size. Images, background images, and fills which are intended to extend to the edge of the page must be extended beyond the trim line to give a bleed. Bleeds in the US industry are generally are 1/8 of an inch from where the cut is to be made, and this is how our equipment is configured.

Great, you’re a step ahead in the publishing process! Authors are not required to use BookLogix’s editors in order for us to publish their book. BookLogix always recommends an author have their manuscript edited before they publish and sell their book. If you don’t have an editor, BookLogix has in-house editors and can edit your book for you.

Yes. Authors who work with BookLogix can have their own cover designer and/or illustrator. BookLogix advises that authors have a work for hire agreement in place with any freelancers they hire to work on their book.

Yes, you can provide your ISBN to us if you have one already to use for your book. Many authors who work with BookLogix are self-publishing and have already purchased their own ISBN.

BookLogix has six (6) different payment plan options available.

BookLogix accepts online payments through our website.