As a writer, you had created a children's pop up book, the next step you may be want to make it printed, right? In this article, we will discuss some tips on how to print your own pop up book.

Creating a custom children's pop-up book is an exciting and rewarding project that requires careful planning and attention to detail. From selecting a printing company to setting up your artwork, every step plays a crucial role in producing a high-quality book that will captivate young readers.

Select a Printing Company Before Illustration

When embarking on the journey of creating a children's pop-up book, you need to select a printing company before diving into the illustration process. This may seem counterintuitive, but it has several advantages. By involving the printing company early on, you can gain insights into their capabilities and requirements. This knowledge will influence your illustration choices and ensure that your artwork is compatible with the printing techniques employed by the company.
Most printers(like Chinaprinting4u) will provide guides and templates to help on your cover design and interior layout. That will save your and your illustrator 's time also costly to create Pre-press file, while also make sure printed in professional quality.

Why Select Printing Company First

Selecting a printing company before you begin the illustration process has several advantages. First, it allows you to understand the technical specifications and limitations of the printing process. Different printing methods, such as digital printing or offset printing, have their own unique considerations. By consulting with a printing company, you can determine which method is best suited for your custom pop-up book.

Digital Printing or Offset Printing?

When choosing a printing technique for your custom children's pop-up book, you may come across two primary options: digital printing and offset printing.
Digital printing is suitable for smaller print runs and offers quick turnaround times. It is ideal if you are looking to create limited edition or personalized pop-up books. Digital printing is ideal for printing less than 100 books. For example, if you're printing anywhere from one to dozens of pop-up books for family or friends, consider digital printing as a way to save time and money.
But if you are printing a bulk of pop up books for selling (like Amazon, eBay or your website), offset printing is more cost-effective for larger print runs. It provides vibrant colors and high-quality images, making it a popular choice for commercial pop-up books. Offset printing is ideal for printing more than 500 books. You print more, that means your unit per cost will be lower.
Consider your budget, desired print quantity, and color requirements when deciding between these two techniques.

What Info Needs to Get an Accurate Quote

To obtain an accurate quote from the printing company, you need to provide specific information about your custom children's pop-up book. Here are the key details that will help the printing company estimate the cost of your project:

Page counts

The number of pages in your pop-up book, including both content pages and additional pages for pop-up elements. The number of pages in your pop-up book will affect the overall cost and production time. Be sure to determine the exact number of pages you want in your book, including both the story pages and pop-up elements.
1 sheet=2 pages
Board book binding: 4-40 pages
Hardcover binding: Normally over 8 pages and end paper usually included in hard cover.

Paper stock and weight

The type and weight of paper you want to use for the pages and cover of your book.
C1S paper is often recommended for pop-up books because this type of paper is durable enough and provides vibrant colors and sharper images.
Cover weight: we usually recommend 250gsm, 300gsm and 350gsm C1S paper. If hardcover, we often recommend 157gsm coated cover paper wrapped 2-3mm grey board.
Text paper weight: we usually recommend 250gsm, 300gsm and 350gsm C1S paper . If for uncoated paper, we recommend 120gsm, 140gsm or 160gsm.

Binding

Choose the appropriate binding method for your pop-up book, such as board book binding or hardcover binding. Board book binding includes two or multiple sheets of C1S paper wrapped together then self-cover or hardcover to form a book. And hardcover binding includes all interior pages are folded, arranged and sewn together, then glued on a hard cover.
Board book binding is a popular choice for children's pop up books. Because it provides durability and allows the book to lay flat when opened. Hardcover binding gives a more sophisticated look and is suitable for higher-end pop-up books.

Trim size

The trim size refers to the final dimensions of your pop-up book. Consider the target audience and the purpose of your book when deciding on the trim size. Smaller books are easier for young children to handle, while larger books may be more visually impactful.
Pop up book usually no standard size, the common sizes of children's pop up book are: 7" x 7", 8" x 8", 7.5" x 9.5", etc.

Quantity

The quantity of books you plan to print will affect the pricing and production time. To save your time, we often recommend you request a quote for different quantities, so that you can have all the information you need and easier to compared the price.

Special finishes

Special finishes can add a touch of magic to your custom children's pop-up book. Consider options such as lamination, spot UV, foil stamping, and die-cut elements to enhance the visual appeal of your book and make it truly unique.

How to Set Up Your Artwork for Professional Quality Printing

The quality of your artwork plays a significant role in the final product of your custom children's pop-up book. Follow these tips to ensure professional quality printing:
Use a professional design software: such as Adobe InDesign or Illustrator to create your artwork.
Use high-resolution images: Ensure that all images and illustrations used in your artwork are of high resolution. This will prevent any loss of quality during the printing process.
Maintain bleed and margins: Set up your artwork with proper bleed (at least 0.125"/3mm) and margins to avoid any trimming issues. Bleed refers to the area that extends beyond the final trim size, while margins provide space for text and important elements.
Embed fonts: To maintain consistency, embed the fonts used in your artwork. This will ensure that the text appears as intended during printing.
Color mode: transfer color in CMYK color mode is not RGB, because RGB color may be change during printing.
Proofread thoroughly: Before submitting your artwork for printing, proofread it carefully to eliminate any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-proofed book enhances its overall professionalism.
File format: most printers will prefer PDF file format, because it is easier to transfer between computers without losing data or resolution quality.

Get in Touch

Creating and self-publish a children's pop-up book is a complex and rewarding endeavor. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can ensure that your project is a success. Remember to involve the printing company early on, provide accurate information for a quote, and set up your artwork meticulously. If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to get in touch with us. Happy creating!
Contact us today to bring your custom children's pop-up book to life!