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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I copyright my work?
It is not absolutely necessary to copyright your work since your manuscript is automatically copyrighted when it is written or "born." The copyright laws were changed in 1978 to protect an author's work for up to 50 years after the author's death. However, there are some significant benefits to officially copyrighting your work with the Copyright Office. You may register your work prior to publication or after publication. Form TX is used for the majority of publications and may be obtained (with instructions) from the

Library of Congress
Copyright Office
http://www.copyright.gov/register/literary.html

Form TX:
http://www.copyright.gov/forms/formtxi.pdf

What is an ISBN?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. This is a ten digit number that identifies the title, edition, binding type and publisher of a specific work. Most bookstores need this symbol for cataloging and sales tracking.

What are your standard turn-around times?
Standard time is between two and four weeks for a proof Galley. Upon receiving the "Forward to Print" statement, it will take approximately four to six weeks. In no instance shall it exceed 180 days from original submission to completion, excluding the time publisher/printer is not in possession of the manuscript due to author proofing or other outside editing services. However, if circumstances require faster delivery, Quantum Service© is available, for an additional fee..

What are your standard trim sizes and binding styles?
Standard sizes are 5-1/2 x 8-1/2, 6 x 9, 7 x 10, 8-1/2 x 11 and 9 x 12.

Can I have my book at a non-standard trim size?
Absolutely. It is quite common to desire something different. We are able to produce books at a final trim size of anywhere from 4.25 x 5.5 to 11 x 14, and anywhere in between!

What binding options are available?
Binding may be saddle stitch, GBC, plastic coil, perfect bound, and hard cover. Perfect bound is the process used for trade paperback books. Saddle Stitch is for books of 20 pages or less ,i.e. children's books. GBC and coil binding are used primarily for cookbooks.

Do you do all the binding in-house?
Yes. It allows us better quality control, faster turn around and a lower final price.

What cover options do I have?
8, 10 or 12 point weight, non laminated and laminated.

What are your standard payment terms?
Generally, first-time customers are set up with 50% down and 50% on delivery.

How do I determine the spine thickness?
Spine Thickness when using 60# text paper is determined by multiplying the number of sheets of paper in your document by ?????????

Why would I want to shrink wrap my books?
The purpose of shrink-wrapping is to keep books from wearing or rubbing against each other in transit. It also protects the book for storage purposes. The wrap size is determined by the Book(s) page count. Maximum wrap size is 400 sheets of 60# or 800 numbered pages the cost of each wrap is $0.25 each.

Can you store my books?
We can store books at 10¢ a month per book.

Do you provide book distribution services?
Yes, it is included with the purchase of publishing at any level.

What is considered a Galley or review proof?
A Galley proof can be in two forms: Electronic or Hard Copy
The electronic proof is included in any publishing level. The hard copy is available at an additional expense. Our Proofs are identical to the finished book, except that Galleys are not laminated or UV Coated and are digital B&W and Color copies.

Perfect Bound Galley proof (Minimum Qty 4 - $160.00)

What file types do you accept?
We can accept any file format. However, additional fees may be incurred for files that must be reformatted. We can use your native application files as long as we have the supporting files (fonts, high res graphics, Etc.). Before you start your setup of your book we recommend speaking to one of our prepress members in regards to how we need to receive your manuscript and cover.

Do you offer assistance in meeting the technical requirements?
We generally do not charge for technical questions. Work performed at customer's request will be charged to the customer at Trent’s Prints current rates.

Can you produce books with colored illustrations?
Yes, we can.

What is print-on-demand book publishing?
Print-on-demand (POD) is simply a method (Digital) of book production used as an alternative to, and increasingly, in conjunction with the more traditional offset printing method. Print-on-demand books are stored electronically and individually printed as they are ordered. Because print-on-demand books can be produced quickly and inexpensively, with little discernable difference in appearance from that of the offset printed book, it’s use has gained wide acceptance among publishers and self-publishing authors.

Which should I choose, offset printing or POD?
Both methods have their uses and determining which way to go should realistically depend more on your individual needs than anything else. Offset printing your book in large quantities has a definite “economy of scale” advantage that typically results in a much lower “per book” cost. The larger your print run, the larger your aggregate benefits. Those benefits usually come at a higher “up front” cost though, because you'll need to place an initial order for 3,000+ books to justify the initial set up costs, and of course, you’ll need storage facilities for all those books and the means to fulfill book orders. But once you’ve established suitable demand for your book and can justify the investment, there’s no doubt that this is the road to greater profits.

For many authors it makes a great deal of sense to initially publish their book “on-demand”. By first publishing it this way, your up front costs are minimal and you can inexpensively “test market” your book to a large audience and then easily make modifications to your book or cover based on those results. Your efforts don't go to waste and once you’ve established a track record with your book and have essentially "optimized" it, with only a few modifications you can then initiate a large offset print run, confident in the results.

Is Trent’s Prints a services provider or a publisher?
Actually, that depends on your requirements. While our principal business is publishing, we also provide quality “pre-press” services to self-publishing authors who wish to use their own ISBN, writer co-operatives and even other publishers.

Should I invest in a custom cover design or use a free template?
If you can work it into your budget, there’s no question but that it's money well spent to have a professional design your cover for you. While others' templates will provide you with an acceptable appearance for your book, it's difficult to make a unique statement or capture the "feel" of your book with one of their general purpose template. We work exclusively with AES Graphics and Design to produce custom covers for all of our projects.

Can I set the price for my book?
Trent’s Prints generally prices books we publish based on finished page count, however, we will consider cover pricing requests to accommodate special situations whenever possible. Our pricing reflects printing costs, the author’s royalty and takes the bookseller and distributor trade discount into consideration.

Note: Some companies’ short discounts to booksellers to artificially "inflate" author royalties. We strongly discourage this practice. Our list prices reflect the customary 55% trade discount.

Book Size Word Count Paperback
total page count approximates cover price
120 pages 40,000 $10.95 - $13.95
180 pages 60,000 $13.95 - $16.95
240 pages 80,000 $16.95 - $19.95
300 pages 100,000 $19.95 - $22.95
360 pages 120,000 $22.95 - $25.95
420 pages 140,000 $25.95 - $28.95
480 pages 160,000 $28.95 - $31.95
540 pages 180,000 $31.95 - $34.95
600 + pages 200,000 + $34.95 - $37.95

How do you calculate my royalties and how much will it cost to purchase copies of my own book?
Your royalties are 25% of the payments we actually receive from sales of printed copies of your book. These payments we receive are equal to the cover price less trade (wholesale) discount and shipping cost. Royalties are distributed by mail quarterly.

Do you offer discounts on Author purchases?
Books may be purchased by the author at a 55% discount. No royalties will be paid on author purchases.

What is the difference between Matte and Gloss Paper Stock?
Matte stock is a coated paper that has a dull finish. It is often used to make pages easier to read that are text intensive or that contain numerical charts. Gloss stock is a coated paper with a shiny or highly reflective finish. It is most often used in 4-color printing to help full color photographs; images and graphics appear more vivid, real and appealing.

What is the difference between Offset and Coated (Matte or Gloss) Paper Stock?
Offset stock is uncoated paper which is most commonly used for 1-color pages in books, reports, letters and business forms. Offset stock is usually less expensive than coated stocks.

What is the difference between Cover Stock and Body Stock?
Cover stock is the outside page and is thicker than body stock. Body stock is the inside pages and is less thick than cover stock.

What is the difference between Body Stock and Text Stock?
Nothing, body and text stock both mean the inside pages of a book or catalog.

What does PDF stand for?
PDF stands for Portable Document Format, a universal file format developed by Adobe that preserves all the fonts, formatting, graphics and color of any source document. It allows a file to read through the use of Acrobat Reader ( a free program available from Adobe) regardless of the hardware or software platform on which the file was created.

What does the # in 70# or 80# paper mean?
It is the basis weight in pounds of a text stock type or the weight of a ream (500 sheets) of 25" x 38" sheets. For a cover stock type, it's a ream of 20" x 26" sheets. With that in mind you now know the reason that 100# cover is heavier and thicker than 100# text stock.

What is the difference between 70# and 80# of the same type text paper?
The difference between 70# and 80# is the weight and thickness of each sheet of paper. The 80# would be slightly thicker and heavier than 70#. See question 6 above for further detail.

Does the weight of the paper stock effect durability and quality?
Yes, but only within the same type. For instance, let's assume you chose 70 # vs. 50# offset text stock for a newsletter. The 70# stock would be more durable over time and result in less show through of the printed image from on side of a sheet to the other. However, let's assume you choose 70# gloss text vs. 70# offset for your newsletter. The gloss stock would be more durable and result in greater ink holdout and glossier images than the uncoated offset stock.

What are the advantages of full color printing?
The highest quality and most appealing print publications are printed in full color using the 4-color (CMYK or Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black) offset printing process. In contrast, computer monitors use a different color model called RGB (Red-Blue-Green). The result is often a difference between what we see on the screen and what we see in a printed piece. Studies have shown that full color increases readership and that there is over a 60 % increase in retention with full color versus black and white. Pick from an almost endless pallet of colors to create your next high quality, impact document in full living color.

Why must Florida Residents pay sales and use taxes?
Trent’s Prints as a Florida corporation and domiciled in Florida, must collect and remit a 6.5% sales and use tax on the paper and ink content of all jobs shipped to Florida destinations. If you are a tax-exempt organization, please fax us your exemption certificate.

Do you accept other forms of payment?
We accept checks, bank checks or Credit Card Payments (Visa and Mastercard)

What is the difference between File Upload and File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?
File upload is transfer files via our web site, File Transfer Protocol or FTP will allow you to transfer larger files via our FTP site, using an FTP client such as CuteFTP or WSFTP.

What is the best File Transfer option?
It depends; all of them have their bright spots. File upload can be done right on the web site and will allow you to quickly send files over the Internet. E-mail will allow you to attach files and send quickly through the e-mail servers. Both File upload and e-mail can have restrictions in the size of the files being sent over the Internet. FTP or File Transfer Protocol, can handle very large files, and is very stable when transferring. Depending on the size of your files you should choose the option that you are most comfortable with.

Can Trent’s Prints handle different printing options and products other than the standard products and choices that are listed?
Absolutely, Trent’s Prints has been a full service commercial printer since 1996 with complete pre-press, printing and finishing or bindery capabilities. If you have a unique project, simply go to our Contact Us page, give us your specifications and we will get back to you with a quotation.

Can I make changes to my document prior to it being printed?
Yes, you will select either an on-line proof or hard copy proof that you must approve before we begin printing. If changes are needed that you request us to do, you will approve the related charges before we proceed.

When can I call Trent’s Prints for help?
Trent’s Prints customer service representatives are at the office from 7:30 am to 4:30 PM (Central Standard Time) M-F. You may e-mail us at any time.

How long will it take for an e-mail reply to an inquiry?
We consider customer questions a top priority so we try to answer questions within twenty-four hours.

If you are already a registered user, how do you change addresses and other information?
You may change your information through the ordering process, which will ask you if your information is correct, or you can sign on as a new customer and register your new information.

Do you sell or rent registered e-mail addresses to other companies?
Absolutely not. Your information is considered confidential by Trent’s Prints, we will not sell or rent this information to others.

Does the Turnaround Time include Shipping Time?
No, the Turnaround Time is how long it will take Trent’s Prints to complete your project. This is the time from final proof approval to job shipment. All jobs are shipped UPS and you can choose from four different alternatives - - ground to next day air.

Can I track my order on your web site?
Please contact us via e-mail or phone to check the status.

What kind of electronic file format does Trent’s Prints recommend?
We can accept many different formats, but your original application files are the easiest to deal with followed by postscript and then the PDF.

What is Print on Demand?
Print on Demand is the ability to print the quantity you want when you need it or just in time for an event at an affordable price.

Why is it more cost effective then Offset?
Traditional offset requires extensive set up which is costly. That cost is spread across the entire run length, which raises your unit price. Printing offset makes economical sense only if you meet both of the below requirements.

· Producing large runs of 3,000 or more and

· You have each of the printed material already sold.

What Type of Quality can I expect from POD?
Over the past two years Print on Demand has become very popular. The demand for better equipment has forced equipment manufactures to provide Print on Demand facilities with a competitive advantage. In both color and black and white, the printing quality is remarkable. With the latest technology, you can't even tell the difference. Halftones are crisp and clear, and color covers show even better color rendition then those printed from offset.

Why is it more cost effective to use POD?
Trent’s Prints has built our Print on Demand operation expressly tailored for Short Run, Quick Turn-around, High Quality, and Low cost. Our set up is very minimal; therefore the product hits the machines faster. Our process is very streamlined cutting down on labor, and our volumes are such that we are able to pass along a low cost to our clients.

Are you compatible with PCs and Macs?
Yes. Our Digital pre-press department can work in both the PC and Macintosh environments.

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