FAQ
Why print with Babooky?
- Overseas printing offers affordable prices, leading to higher profit margins for authors.
- With larger print runs, the cost per unit decreases, maximizing cost savings and profits.
- Lower labor and operational costs overseas contribute to overall cost savings and increased profitability.
Traditional publishers take advantage of overseas printing to enhance their profitability by printing the majority of their titles overseas.
How long is my quote good for?
We honor any quote that was made within a month despite any price changes.
What are the payment options?
We offer multiple convenient payment options for your convenience. You have the flexibility to send us a check, make a bank transfer, or utilize a secure payment link to pay with your credit card. Rest assured that our payment platform ensures the highest level of security to protect your sensitive information.
When do I make a payment?
Once you receive a quote and decide to proceed, we will have a discussion regarding your preferred payment method. You will be required to make an initial payment of half the total amount upon placing your order, while the remaining balance will be due after the books have been printed, but before they are shipped.
How much is due upfront?
You have two payment options for initiating your order: you can either pay the full amount upfront or choose to pay half of the total cost initially and the remaining balance prior to shipping your books.
Can you print custom sizes?
We understand that our instant quote form covers a range of commonly requested sizes. However, we want to assure you that we are capable of printing books in any size you desire. If you have specific requirements or unique features in mind for your book, we encourage you to contact us for a personalized quote. We are more than happy to accommodate your needs.
To self-end or separate-end?
We highly recommend our self-ended binding option as the standard choice. With this method, two pages are directly glued to the front and back covers. To ensure proper alignment, your page count should be a multiple of four, subtracting two “glue” pages that remain unseen.
For books with a substantial number of pages, we suggest employing separate ended end pages. This approach mimics a soft cover, commencing on the right side and concluding at the back on the left side. Additionally, two separate pieces of paper are folded and included as end-pages.
What is the minimum quantity?
We provide the option to order as few as 1,000 copies for paperback and 500 copies for hardcover. If you require larger quantities than what our quote form allows, please feel free to contact us directly. Additionally, if you are interested in printing multiple titles, we can accommodate a lower count, such as 4 paperback titles with 400 copies each.
Do I need a Library of Congress Number (LCCN)?
Depending on your requirements as a self-published author, you have the option to obtain or forgo it altogether. The advantage is that registering your literary work and acquiring a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) is free of charge. While the process may differ for publishers and self-published authors, if you fall into the latter category and are interested in obtaining an LCCN, you can visit the Library of Congress website.
Do I need to copyright my book?
Your book is automatically protected by copyright the moment it is created and recorded in a tangible form, whether directly or with the assistance of a machine or device. – Copyright.gov
If you would like to gain a deeper understanding of copyright in general, you can visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page on Copyright.gov.
Nevertheless, there are steps you can take to enhance the level of protection for your literary work. Registering your book with a copyright office provides an additional layer of safeguard.
For authors based in the United States who wish to copyright their books, you can visit Copyright.gov. Please note that there is a fee associated with registering your work with the copyright office. If you reside outside the United States, you should explore the copyright registration process applicable to your country.
Do I need an ISBN (International Standard Book Number)?
Whether you need an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) depends on your publishing plans and distribution channels. Here’s a concise breakdown:
- If you self-publish or publish independently, an ISBN is generally not required if you plan to just do face-to-face sales, but can be beneficial if you plan to sell through traditional bookstores or to libraries.
- E-book and print-on-demand platforms often have their own identifiers (e.g., ASIN for Amazon Kindle) that may not necessitate an ISBN.
- If you aim for international distribution or wide-reaching retailers, having an ISBN is advantageous due to its global recognition.
- Different editions and formats of your book may benefit from unique ISBNs for tracking purposes.
In summary, while an ISBN is not always mandatory, it can enhance accessibility and identification of your book, especially in traditional retail and international markets.
If you are in the USA, the recommended platform for acquiring an ISBN is MyIdentifiers, where you can purchase an individual ISBN or a block of ISBNs. It is worth noting that they occasionally offer sales on their products.
Do you proofread/edit my book?
The responsibility for editing errors in your book lies with the publisher or, in the case of self-publishing, with the author themselves. Therefore, it is advisable for you to have your book professionally edited before proceeding with offset printing. If you are not familiar with any editors, please feel free to reach out to us, and we will gladly provide you with some contacts to assist you in finding a professional editor.
Can you assist with formatting or modifying my files?
Absolutely! If you require assistance with formatting or modifying your files, we are here to help. For minor modifications, we won’t charge any fees if you place an order. However, for more extensive modifications, there will be a formatting fee. Rest assured, we will diligently prepare your files in accordance with our printer guidelines.
What are your file requirements?
To ensure smooth processing of your files, please adhere to the following guidelines:
-
- Format:
- Submit high-quality PDF files for both the cover and interior of your book.
- If your book has a dust jacket, remember to include it in the submission.
- Resolution:
- Use the industry-standard resolution of 300dpi (dots per inch) for optimal print quality.
- Color Profile:
- Convert all colors to the CMYK color profile. Avoid using RGB elements in your files.
- Bleed and Cut:
- Incorporate a .125″ (3mm) bleed on the top, bottom, and one side of your pages.
- Note that the gutter does not require bleed.
- For example, if your book size is 9×9, set the page size to 9.125″W x 9.25″H.
- Margins:
- Keep any text or important images at least .75″ away from the edge of the page.
- This precaution ensures that no content gets cut off during the cutting process.
- File Submission:
- Provide a download link from Google Drive, Dropbox, or WeTransfer.
- Ensure that link sharing is enabled, allowing us to access the files easily.
- Formatting Assistance:
- If you encounter difficulties in formatting your files, feel free to reach out to us at info@babooky.com.
- We offer an in-house formatting service, starting at $200 for a standard-size children’s picture book (print or ebook).
- Additionally, we provide a combined print and ebook formatting service for $250.
- Our formatting service includes adding bleed to your images, verifying correct size and color profile, customizing the cover template, adding end pages, and preparing the PDF file for printing.
- For ebooks, we supply a PDF and .mobi file with KDP interactive text (suitable for smaller text sizes).
- Format:
We appreciate your cooperation in following these file requirements. Should you have any further questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Do I have to include "Printed in China" or "Printed in PRC" in my book?
Yes, it is mandatory to include the label “Printed in China” on products that are printed in China, as required by international and US laws. The text should be easily readable, using a font size of at least 8 points and contrasting with the background.
Failure to mark imported items with their country of origin could lead to additional duties, unless they are properly labeled, exported, or destroyed under CBP (Customs and Border Protection) supervision. While we can print your books without the “Printed in China” label, we cannot take responsibility for any customs-related issues that may arise.
To comply with the regulations, you can include the label “Printed in China” or “Printed in PRC” on a page containing copyright information, your business address, or other prominent locations such as the back cover or inside cover of the book.
What is a physical proof sample?
A physical proof sample is a book-like representation of your work that provides a preview of the final printed copy. It allows you to assess the layout and design elements before proceeding with full-scale production. Our physical proofs are created through digital printing and manual binding processes.
However, it is important to note that the color accuracy of the proof may not be exact due to the printing method. Therefore, while the proof serves as a general reference for layout and file errors, it may not accurately represent the final color quality. It is recommended to use the proof primarily for assessing layout and identifying any potential file issues.
You can have confidence that your offset printed and machine-bound books will exceed the quality of the proof sample.
Will my books be defect free?
While we strive to provide high-quality books, like any product, there is a possibility of small defects. We have rigorous quality control measures in place, but some imperfections may occur within a 3% variance. If you encounter a significant defect that impacts your reading experience, please contact our customer support for assistance. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we’ll work to find a suitable solution.
Can I cancel my order?
Certainly! If you wish to cancel or make changes to your order, please send a prompt email to info@babooky.com with your request for order modification or cancellation. It’s important to note that while we strive to accommodate your requests, we cannot guarantee that all orders will be eligible for a full refund if canceled. The eligibility for a refund and any applicable fees will depend on the stage of processing your order has reached. Our team will review your request and provide you with further instructions based on the specific circumstances of your order.
What is the reimbursment policy?
Please note that reimbursment does not cover the following scenarios:
-
- Low-resolution or pixelated artwork: It is the responsibility of the customer to provide artwork that meets the required resolution specifications for optimal printing results. We recommend a minimum resolution of 300 dots per inch (dpi) for best quality.
- Content changes made after final approval: Once the customer has given their final approval for mass printing, any subsequent content changes will not be eligible for compensation or return.
- Grammar mistakes or typos: We advise customers to thoroughly review and proofread their files before submitting them for printing. We cannot be held responsible for grammar mistakes or typos present in the final printed materials.
- Issues present in the original files: If there are any lines, marks, or other issues that exist in the original files provided by the customer, we cannot be held responsible for their presence in the printed materials.
- Damage caused by customs agents during inspection: In the event that customs agents open a package for inspection, resulting in damage to the printed materials, we cannot take responsibility for such damage.
However, we are committed to addressing the following issues:
- Damaged items during shipping: If the printed materials arrive damaged during the shipping process, we will work with the customer to rectify the situation and provide a suitable solution, such as replacement or reimbursement.
- Lost shipments: If a shipment is lost in transit and does not reach its destination, we will investigate the matter and either provide a replacement or issue a refund, based on the circumstances.
- Damage during the printing or binding process caused by our machines: In the rare event that our machines cause damage to the printed materials during the printing or binding process, we will take responsibility for the damage and provide a satisfactory resolution.