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Planning a Cruise book long term and some points to consider |
get a written estimate from the publisher / printer and be sure to keep it
.
 The
estimate usually also serves as a contract and a work order of the
services to be included. Usually it fully
describes the book in detail and what services are to be provided as
part of the total project. Be careful with yes yes...... in an email
and then at the end it costs extra for particular service. Also be sure
to ask if shipment and shipping insurance of the book is included. |
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some ideas on how your small unit or ship might be able to save money when doing their cruise book
.
Some publishers
offer a finders fee for every unit that you bring to them and that
ends up printing their book with them. The finders fee is usually subtracted from the cost of your
book
.
Some
ships or units have less than 100 personnel. To help offset
the greater cost per copy of doing such a book, think about
combining units or ships into one book. Each book would be
reversed, causing both to be on the cover and each facing
the other way
.
Print
the entire book in black and white or do a soft cover instead of a
hardback book. It is not likely that you will find a printer that
does partial color books. It is just too much trouble allowing
too many things to potentially go wrong.
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reserve the time frame by making a deposit
.
Many Publishers maintain
a very tight schedule, some up to a full year in advance. Plan your book and reserve the time frame for your
book allowing a smooth and continuous work flow rather than a hurried job. Most require a 25% deposit, but, some will operate with a 10% deposit based on the full estimate amount. Some
prefer
using PayPal, which is likely the securest payment method
available on the net. PayPal allows you to
use various credit cards, or pay through an existing account,
in addition to eChecks. Some also accept Government checks and
wire transfers to their bank. Contact them, for details before
committing yourself. Cruisebooks for Aircraft Carriers are
coveted and they have a much better chance of demanding certain
services. For example a imitation leather cover for a small 100
cy/80 pg book will hit the roof in price compared when getting the same
type of cover, for an order of 3,000 to 5,000 books
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will you be able to proof the book prior to print ?
.
Some
publishers play a game of charging you extra if you want to proof a
book prior to print or if you want to change something in the last
minute. Be weary of this. Imagine being charged extra for your
car because you wanted to look at it just prior to buying or if
delaying the sale cause you wanted some bright and shiny mags placed on
the car prior to delivery. Try to find a firm that deals
exclusively within the military cruise book market, rather than a
printer trying to keep his presses running
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test your ftp method
.
Many
publishers promise everything but force you to invest in additional
software or methods to transmit or FedEX the images to them. Ask now!
Tomorrow will be too late and errors like that get expensive
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have any questions or need help...will someone be there?
.
Will
you have contact with an assigned project director that understand your
needs?. Can you email/call or SKYPE him or her 24/7? Remember you
may be near the horn of Africa and your publisher will be asleep in
Montana. Identify and email
any questions, comments, special needs, or help requests at the
beginning of the project |
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