Short Print-Run Program Overview

Short Print Run Program Defined

  • Short print run (SPR) entails printing small quantities of a title to stock rather than printing to order, though at much lower quantities than a traditional offset printing would require.
  • In addition to allowing Clients to print relatively small quantities of slower-moving titles, SPR provides a convenient means of inexpensively producing and distributing galleys on forthcoming titles.
  • Can be used for any paperback title or galley that falls within the minimum and maximum trim sizes defined on the pricing schedule.
  • General guideline for putting paperback titles into SPR: titles selling fewer than 500 units in a 12 month period.
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How Does It Work?

Title Set-up
  1. Client enrolls in the Short Print Run program via an addendum to its distribution contract and selects either automated or manual replenishment (see below).
  2. To submit a title, Client logs into Constellation using its password protected Client log-on.
  3. Client reviews the auto-populated metadata associated with each title and indicates that it is submitting the title for Short Print Run.
  4. Client loads print-ready PDF into Constellation via drag & drop web interface or portable file transfer (CD, flash drive).***
  5. Constellation loads the print-ready PDFs onto the Edwards Brothers secured digital print server.
  6. Titles can be ordered 10 days after submission or 10 days after return of an approved proof, where requested.

***Constellation can assist in the digitization of backlist titles where files are not available.

Stock Replenishment: Automated and Manual Modes of Reprinting

Clients have a choice of either Automated or Manual reprint mode. A Client opting for automated reprinting relies on the system to keep titles in stock based on the parameters outlined below. Reprints are evaluated and executed daily with the system maintaining available inventory levels of between 1 and 4 months’ supply. A Client opting for Manual reprinting must approve every reprint. Reprints are recommended weekly and it is up to the Client to decide when to reprint. Given the higher level of manual work required in Manual mode, there is a small up-charge for Manual mode reprints. The selection of Automated or Manual reprint mode is made at the Client level; we cannot accommodate mixed modes of reprinting with a single Client.

Order process — Automated process
  1. Digital print orders will be automatically generated once a day and sent electronically to Constellation for fulfillment.
  2. An order is triggered when current available inventory drops below a one month supply (based on current ROM).
  3. Reprint qty = 2–3 months’ supply with a minimum order of 20 and a maximum of 500.
  4. Any titles for which the recommended order is greater than 500 units will be flagged and sent to the Client within 48 hours with digital and offset print pricing and a request for further instructions.
  5. For these titles, Client has the option to print and supply through their vendor of choice, print digitally through Constellation, or print with Edwards Brothers using Constellation print pricing and ship in on a consolidated truck. Freight charges will be applied separately.
Order process — Manual Process
  1. Digital reprint recommendations will be automatically generated once a week.
  2. Reprint recommendation is triggered when current available inventory drops below a one month supply (based on current ROM).
  3. Reprint qty = 2–3 months’ supply with a minimum order of 20 and a maximum of 500.
  4. Reprint recommendations will be emailed to Client for review and approval.
  5. Client has the option to print (Y) or not print (N). The default for all titles is N.
  6. If the Client wants to print any of the recommended titles the annotated order form must be returned to Constellation within 72 hours.
  7. Any titles not printed (but below one month’s supply) will reappear on the following week’s list of reprint recommendations.

Rate of Movement Calculation: Constellation establishes Rate of Movement (ROM) based on the following criteria: prior 12 months sales if the book is more than 24 months from publication and prior 6 months sales if the book is less than 24 months from publication. ROMs are updated monthly and an adjusted ROM can be calculated for seasonal titles.

Special Request and Galley Orders

In either Automated or Manual mode, a Client may place a manual order with Constellation for a title that has more than one month’s supply available at any time (e.g., for an author event or to meet anticipated increases in demand). All galley orders will require a manual order. If the Client has elected the Automated mode, manual orders for specials and galleys will be billed at the automated rate. Manual mode Clients will be billed at the manual rate.

Workflow and Invoicing
  1. Print priorities are set based on inventory levels. All inventory will be on the shelf within 5-7 working days.
  2. Stock will be received as a standard bindery shipment and will be viewable through the Client’s normal interface.
  3. Constellation invoices Client for all work completed during the month. Invoices will be detailed by ISBN, print quantity, and unit cost.
  4. Invoices will be deducted from Client payables at the end of the month following the month invoiced.
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FAQ

  1. Why would a publisher consider putting a book in the short print run program? Short Print Run can benefit a title and a publisher in many ways. While it can be used as part of the "long tail" solution, digital print also provides solutions previously unavailable with traditional offset printing:
    • Gap printing between two editions
    • Desk copy printings for academic titles
    • Quick fulfillment on dormant titles or NYP titles that surge due to an unforeseen event
    • Economical galleys
    Finally, digital print is indeed the ideal solution for a title that is slowing down in sales but still has demand: it provides an economical solution to the problem of printing long and thereby creating overstock or obsolete inventory.
  2. I’ve always understood there to be a marked difference in quality between offset printing and SPR. How can I evaluate how important that difference is? While this was true at one time, digital print has made quantum leaps over the last 5 years in terms of halftone, grayscale, line art, and 4/c process for covers. Paper has also improved, making the overall look and feel of the digital product comparable to offset in both b/w and color. In addition, a Client can improve the quality of the digitally printed book by observing some basic guidelines:
    • Supply PDFs wherever possible (or working files that can be used to create PDFs for a small fee): scanning titles puts one more generation between files and the original artwork.
    • Realize that shading or gradation are printed differently in the digital process and consider changing the element before creating a PDF to improve contrast and readability if the element contains type. (That said, printer settings render these old hurdles almost nonexistent.)
    • Balance the artwork in the native application before creating a PDF: there is no dot gain in digital print!
    • Finally, keep in mind that digital printing will not improve images that were problematic for offset printing.
    Constellation can provide profiles for PDF creation that will optimize your PDFs for digital print. And we will gladly print a proof of your books for free if you have any doubts: simply send us a file.
  3. What are the limitations to the types of books that can be produced in the Constellation Digital Print facility? Binding style will be limited to paperback. There are maximum and minimum trim sizes and page counts, which are outlined in the pricing schedule.

    However, Edwards Brothers in Ann Arbor has the ability to manufacture hardcover, jacketed digital editions. Books can be consolidated on weekly trucks into Jackson (pro-rated freight to be paid by Client). The schedule is 3 weeks order to delivery.
  4. Will I be able to see total costs before I commit to a set of print recommendations or before automatically generated reprint orders are fulfilled? Constellation will provide you with an estimating tool that you can use to approximate print costs on any particular title. If you have opted for the manual mode of reprint approval, you can use this tool in conjunction with the list of suggested reprints to gauge the total cost of that week’s print recommendations. However, if you have opted for the automated mode of reprint approval, those orders will be automatically placed on a weekly basis without the opportunity to review that week’s cost.
  5. Is there a recycled paper option? Yes. The digital print center will stock a 50# 440PPI cream and 50# 606 PPI white sheet. Please see the pricing schedule for details.
  6. Can Constellation make PDFs from application files? Yes, for a fee, and provided all fonts and images are supplied.
  7. If Edwards Brothers has done offset work for a Client, can the files be transferred over for digital? Yes. On the metadata form, mark that you will supply files and indicate in the notes that the files are on hand with Edwards Brothers.
  8. Can the Jackson warehouse handle a galley mailing for galley printings done through Constellation in Jackson? Yes. This currently requires a work order, but Constellation is working to establish a specific group/area for these mailings. Client will need to supply any additional materials to be inserted into the package along with mailing labels.
  9. If I’ve enrolled in both SPR and POD, and I’d like to make a title available for digital print, how do I toggle between the two printing methods for a particular title? At the time of title submission, you will indicate whether you wish to enroll that particular title in SPR or POD. A title can only be designated for one method of digital printing at any one time, but you will be able to change that designation as circumstances warrant.
  10. What equipment will be used to print the text and covers? Text will be printed with Oce Varioprint 6250 printers, which are known for their halftone quality, and covers will be printed on an Oce 650.
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