Multi-Process & Specialty Covers

Unlike many "digital only" printing businesses which have sprung up since the arrival of reasonably affordable "print-on-demand" technology, SF Cooper Co. has been in the printing business since 1929. While most of our FAQ information for authors is specifically tailored to the needs of those wishing to use "only" our digital printing and publishing services, we are a full service: lithographer, printer, engraver, foil stamper, die cutter, thermographer, embosser and custom binder (capable of inserting CD's and DVD's in various types of "holders," shrink wrapping and providing other custom services).

Authors sometimes inquire: "Can I get the extremely fancy, multi-process covers I see on some books in retail stores?" The answer is, "Yes...with prior planning and a clear understanding of the process involved."

First, unlike "digital-only" printing, multi-process covers may involve many production steps using multiple processes and may require custom dies be prepared in advance of production. Further, "exotic" covers are not going to be cost effective unless made in large quantities (1000 minimum) at one time - as minimal spoilage can occur at each of the sequential steps. No, you bear no 'cost of spoilage,' but multi-process work is complex and slower than "just digital printing." These types of covers can take weeks (rather than hours) to produce and have ready for binding onto digitally printed contents.

To achieve a highly complex custom cover (i.e. multi-color litho printing, heavy coating, foil stamping and embossing), you need to submit professionally prepared artwork (both digital and a "hard copy" full color proof). We typically work directly with your designer to ensure their work is fully understood and exchanged accurately/efficiently. With rare exceptions, most authors are not highly sophisticated designers and thus may be unaware that a 3-4 process cover could take weeks to complete (the first time) depending upon the art work received and processes required. This type of work cannot be accurately quoted until we actually have your designer's confirmation about the final input.  

When this type of work is requested, please recognize:

1) At the time you engage a cover designer, you're typically no longer able to make "last moment" Title changes.

2) While negotiable, rates from professional designers can be substantial, and their work is not "instantaneous." Beyond creative tasks, they have production tasks using their software of preference, have to gain your final approval of their work, ideally do an initial "file exchange test" with us to confirm their work is being received in clear and correct formats, and then production planning can begin. You are strongly advised to begin planning well ahead.

3) Production time and cost are a direct function of what we're asked to do. "Exotic" and specialty process covers must be fully completed and "inventoried" before final book production can begin. Further, they require you to 'stay on top' of your sales to ensure that, if more of these covers are to be produced, the ongoing inventory is started well in advance of using up the initial batch...or book production and distribution will stop until all required components are on hand.

4) If you plan to have us imprint bar coding on the cover for pricing, you need to slow down until we can quote the cost of your submitted cover. Otherwise, you could make the mistake of setting your 'selling price' before knowing actual cost. 

What types of custom covers can I get?

Depending upon your goals and target audience, we can produce everything from lithographed, foil-stamped and embossed covers to multi-color engraved covers on an extremely wide selection of specialty stocks (giving you maximum options for stock color, texture and weight). Digital printing equipment cannot print on all weights and finishes of cover stock, cannot legibly print extremely 'light colors' on dark color stocks, nor can it print metallic inks. A word of caution: case bound covers (rigid with cloth wrap) are not recommended for runs of less than 500 books at a time due to high "set up" costs.