A Comprehensive Guide to Booklet Printing in AustraliaIn today's digital age, where information is readily available at our fingertips, the printed word still holds a special place. Booklets, in particular, have managed to retain their charm and usefulness. Whether you're a business looking to create promotional materials or an individual with a passion for self-publishing, booklet printing in Australia offers a versatile and effective way to convey your message. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about booklet printing, from popular sizes like A5 and A4 to binding methods such as wire-bound, saddle-stitch staple, and perfect/PUR bound booklets. We'll also provide insights on arranging pages for booklets, using design grids and stylesheets and introduce you to PrintTogether’s instant online booklet printing calculator.
Booklet Printing: A Brief OverviewBooklet printing involves the production of multi-page documents that are folded and bound together. These booklets serve various purposes, such as marketing brochures, event programs, product catalogues, educational materials, annual reports, and even creative projects like colouring books and zines.
A5 Booklet Printing: Compact and Convenient A5 booklets are among the most popular choices for booklet printing in Australia. Measuring 148mm x 210mm, they strike the perfect balance between portability and readability. A5 booklets are ideal for product catalogues, event programs,
A5 notebooks and information booklets. They are also cost-effective, making them a favourite for businesses looking to distribute promotional materials.
View instant A5 booklet printing prices online.
A4 Booklet Printing: The Standard ChoiceA4 booklets, measuring 210 x 297mm, are the standard size for many office documents and reports. They provide ample space for detailed information, making them a great choice for training manuals, corporate reports, product catalogues, magazines, calendars and academic materials. A4 booklets offer a professional appearance and are versatile enough for various applications.
View instant A4 booklet printing prices online.
Wire-Bound Booklets: Durable and ElegantIf you're seeking durability and an elegant finish, consider wire-bound booklets. This binding method uses a metal wire or coil to hold the pages together. Wire binding allows the booklet to lay flat when opened, making it ideal for presentations and reference materials. The sleek and modern appearance of wire-bound booklets adds a touch of professionalism to your content.
Saddle Stitch Staple Booklets: Affordable and FunctionalSaddle stitch staple booklets are a cost-effective option for booklet printing in Australia. They are created by folding sheets of paper in half and stapling them along the fold. This method is suitable for booklets with a lower page count, such as event programs, brochures, and newsletters. Saddle stitch staple booklets are easy to produce and provide a clean, organized look.
Perfect/PUR Bound Booklets: High-Quality and PremiumWhen you want your booklet to exude a premium feel, perfect/PUR bound booklets are the way to go. This method involves gluing the pages to the spine, creating a sleek and professional appearance. Perfect bound booklets are perfect for novels, magazines, and high-end catalogues. They offer a polished finish that enhances the overall look and feel of your content.
How to Arrange Pages for BookletsProperly arranging pages for your booklet is crucial to ensure that the content flows logically. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Determine Page Count: Decide on the number of pages you need. Keep in mind that each sheet of paper counts as four pages when folded in half. This is why booklets need to be a division of four, for example, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 pages etc.
- Organise Content: Arrange your content in a way that makes sense. Start with the cover, followed by a table of contents (if applicable), and then the main content. Ensure that page numbers are consistent. We suggesting making a quick mock-up by folding paper in half and hand writing what each page will contain prior to starting your design.
- Check Margins and Bleed: Ensure that your content is properly aligned within the margins, and if you have elements that extend to the edge of the page, include a bleed area to prevent cutting issues during printing. We suggest using generous spacing for borders so no information is too close to the inner or out edges of each page. It is normal practice when designing booklets to allow more space on the inner (spine) edge and the bottom of the page to allow for binging and page numbering.
- Proofread and Review: Thoroughly proofread your content for errors. Review the layout to confirm that everything is in the correct order.
- Create Print-Ready Files: Convert your booklet into a print-ready PDF with the appropriate settings for your chosen printer. This typically includes specifying the correct page size, colour mode, and resolution. Please contact us for more details on setting up your artwork correctly for printing.
Cover options: Plus cover vs Self cover
Plus cover booklets and self-cover booklets differ in their cover materials and printing processes. A plus cover booklet has a cover that is thicker and more durable than the inner pages. This cover is typically made from a heavier paper stock. It provides a premium feel and enhanced durability, making it ideal for promotional materials or high-quality publications.
On the other hand, self-cover booklets have covers that are the same weight and material as the inner pages. This results in a consistent look and feel throughout the booklet but may be less sturdy. Self-cover booklets are often chosen for shorter print runs or when cost-effectiveness is a priority.
Ultimately, the choice between plus cover and self-cover booklets depends on the intended use, budget, and desired aesthetic.
Designing booklets: Using Grids and StylesDesigning booklets with grids and styles is a meticulous process that marries form and function. Grid systems provide the structural backbone, ensuring content flows harmoniously across pages. They establish consistent margins, columns, and gutters, allowing for organized placement of text and images.
Styles, on the other hand, infuse personality and visual coherence. Fonts, colours, and graphic elements should align with the booklet's purpose and audience. Employing a balanced mix of headings, subheadings, and body text styles enhances readability.
Grids ensure order, while styles create a visual identity. This synergy fosters a polished, professional look and guides readers through the booklet's narrative. Ultimately, an effective design strategy with grids and styles elevates the booklet, making it a powerful communication tool.
Order Booklet Printing Online at www.printtogether.com.auIn the digital age, online printing services have revolutionised the way we produce printed materials. Why use PrintTogether for booklet printing in Australia?
- Eco-Friendly Approach: Print Together is committed to sustainability. We use environmentally friendly printing practices and exclusively 100% recycled papers, making us an excellent choice for businesses and individuals seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.
- High-Quality and Affordable Printing: PrintTogether utilises state-of-the-art HP Indigo, Xerox toner and offset printing technology to ensure that your booklets are of the highest quality. You can expect sharp, vibrant colours and crisp text in your finished product.
- Customisation Options: Whether you need A5 or A4 booklets, wire-bound or saddle stitch binding, we offers a range of inhouse finishing options to meet your specific needs.
- User-Friendly Website: Ordering booklets online at www.printtogether.com.au is easy. Our user-friendly website allows you to see instant prices, upload your print-ready files, choose your booklet specifications, and place your order without leaving your desk.
- Prompt Delivery: We understands the importance of timely delivery. We work efficiently to ensure that your booklets reach you when you need them.
In conclusion, booklet printing in Australia offers a versatile and effective means of conveying your message, whether for business or personal use. With options like A5 and A4 booklets and various binding methods, you can create materials that suit your needs and budget. Remember to carefully arrange your pages for a seamless reading experience, and for a reliable and eco-conscious printing service, consider ordering your booklets online at
https://www.printtogether.com.au/products/overview/booklets
BOOKLET PRINTING FAQS
How much is it to print a booklet?
Booklet printing prices vary depending on the size and number of pages in your booklet, as well as the type of binding required and quantity. Enter your booklet specifications and see instant prices on our website:
https://www.printtogether.com.au/products/overview/booklets
What size paper is best for booklet printing?
How do I supply Artwork for Booklets?For saddle stitch
booklets please supply just one PDF file from cover to back cover.
Please output PDF files in single page format rather than spreads.
Please include 5mm bleed and crop lines. For more details on bleed and
crop lines download our artwork specifications.
Can I use Canva to design my booklets?
Yes,
Canva is a great online design tool. You can design your booklets in
Canva and then export as a Press PDF and upload it on our website. To see full details of how to design booklets in
Canva, download our artwork specifications here:
www.printtogether.com.au/pdf/Art-Specs.pdf As
pages in a booklet wrap around each other the inner pages will be
slightly smaller than outer pages. We allow for this creep in
pre-production, however having the full 5mm bleed is an extra level of
safety when booklets are trimmed. We want to ensure no non printed areas
are left on your booklets once trimmed.
What is the difference between self cover and plus cover booklets?Self
cover is when the paper weight is the same throughout the entire
booklet ie the cover is the same weight paper as the text pages. Plus
cover means an extra thicker 4 pages (1 sheet of paper folded) is added
to the text pages. Self cover booklets are cheaper as they can all be
done in one print run and thinner covers do not requiring scoring prior
to binding.
What is a square edge on a saddle stitch booklet?Often
saddle stitch booklets do not have a spine, all pages are folded to a
single point and are stapled. This is fine for thin booklets however,
for thicker booklets it means the bulge and do not sit flat once bound.
Square edge fold is when a mini spine is created by adding two score
lines and stapling in the middle. This allows saddle stitch booklets to
sit flat similar to a perfect bound book but without the need for glue.
Do you print hard cover books?No,
350gsm is the thickest we can do for book covers. You would need to
contact a hard case book binder for this. These are often not produced
in Australia anymore due to the equipment and cost involved.
Why are there only page number options that are divisible by 4 on your website?For
saddle stitch booklets every piece of paper once folded and stapled
creates 4 pages. It is therefore only possible to make booklet pages a
division of 4. If you have for example a booklet with only 30 pages in
your artwork, either 2 pages would need to be deleted to make 28 pages
or 2 pages added to make 32 pages to make it possible to be folded and
stapled.
Does number of pages include front and back of a sheet of paper?Every
side of a piece of paper is considered a page. For example a single
sheet of paper for a flyer if printed front and back is described as 2
pages. If a piece of paper if folded in half for example a brochure
folded from A4 to A5 this is then described as 4 pages as it has a front
and back and two internal sections once folded. If a brochure is folded
twice for example an A4 fold to DL this is described as a 6 page DL as
the folding created 6 DL sections, 3 on the front and 3 on the back of
the sheet of paper. For booklets every sheet of paper once folded and
stapled creates 4 pages. For example as 32 page self cover booklet is 8
sheets of paper, folded and stapled.
Do you offer custom size booklets such as square or A6?We
do not have prices for custom size booklets on our website as these
require additional manual trimming and therefore take longer and cost
more to produce. If you would like a quote for a custom size booklet
please contact us.
Do you offer landscape booklets?We
do not have prices on our website for landscape booklets as larger
sheets are required and therefore cost more to produce. If you would
like a quote for a landscape booklet please contact us.
Do you wire bound booklets?Yes we offer wire binding for booklets and
wire bound calendars, please contact us for more details or a custom quote.
Can I get a sample of the papers you offer?Absolutely, we have a recycled paper sample pack that contains every paper we have listed on this website. Sample packs costs $10, however this is refunded when you place an order. Request a pack from here:
www.printtogether.com.au/prices/order/sample
