Home publishing --- Pete Marrison - 25 Sept 2018

Pete explained what he meant by ‘Home publishing’ (ie home printing, binding and distribution; as opposed to self publishing where you pay for someone else to do that work.)

Advantages.

Where very short runs are required with occasional extra copies required. Eg for xmas presents, memoirs.

Able to achieve quick turnaround.

Editorial control is yours.

Last minute changes possible.

Cheaper unit cost.

Job satisfaction.

Disadvantages

Perhaps initial outlay for binding machines.

Requires some degree of skill and effort.

Pete described and distributed examples of various options available; starting with simple printing and folding, for example the Erskine Syllabus.

Staples can be used for small quantities of sheets and he explained how the scope a simple stapling machine can be extended by using a piece of scrap polystyrene or using a bradawl.

Slide-on plastic splines can be used without any specialist equipment. They are neat but are easier to apply if robust front and rear covers are used.

Plastic Combs will securely accommodate large volumes, but require each sheet to be punched and necessitate the purchase of Punch/Binder. (starting at approx £40). Plastic Combs allow a book to be fully opened without straining the spline.

Thermal Binders produce a neat end product with much less skill and effort than required with plastic comb binders. The electrically powered heater/binders also start at about £40.

Spring Back binders offer an extremely simple and attractive solution and require no specialist equipment. They may have a high unit cost. eg £15 for A4 size.

In all cases, the content needs to be checked, edited and proof read even more than if it were to be sent to a professional publisher.

The finish on the external cover is essential if you want your material to be read or even looked at.

Think about colour, glossy, illustrations, style and thickness for the covers.

Don’t let yourself down by presenting your masterpieces to the recipients in second hand jiffy bags. Pre-order suitable envelopes.

The talk prompted discussion of the comparative merits of home or self publishing, particularly in relation to family history; which several members were interested in.