The Book Printing Process Explained: From Manuscript to Final Copy

by Jon Waterman on 20-05-2025

Writing a book is a big deal. Whether it took you six months, six years or six lockdowns, finishing that manuscript is something to be proud of. But once the last full stop is in place and the file is saved, a new question arises: what now? 

If you are wondering how to get a book printed or how the whole thing actually works, you are in the right place. At Print My Book, we help bring manuscripts to life every day. This guide walks you through the book printing process from start to finish. No jargon, no confusion. Just a clear explanation of how your file turns into a book you can hold in your hands and (let’s be honest) show off to your friends and family. 

 

Getting Started: Preparing Your Manuscript 

Before we fire up any printers, your manuscript needs to be ready for this next stage. Think of this as the digital equivalent of ironing your clothes before an important event. You want everything neat, clean and looking its best. 

First and foremost, your manuscript should be in its final version. This means: 

• All your content is complete. 

• You have run spelling and grammar checks. 

• You have formatted it properly for print. 

A common mistake at this stage is assuming that any old Word document will do. While we can technically print from a Word file, we always recommend converting your manuscript into a high-quality PDF. This locks in your formatting and reduces the risk of unexpected layout changes. 

If you are not sure how to get your book printed and feel overwhelmed by things like trim sizes, margins or bleeds, do not worry. We are happy to guide you through the details or take care of the formatting for you. It is what we do. 

 

Formatting the Interior: More Than Just Pretty Pages

The inside of your book needs to do more than hold words. It should be comfortable to read, easy on the eyes and structured in a way that makes sense. If the formatting is off, even the most brilliant story or expert advice can feel messy or confusing. 

Here are some of the key things we look at during this phase of the book printing process: 

• Choosing an appropriate font that reflects your content and is readable in print. 

• Setting up headers, footers and page numbers consistently. 

• Ensuring chapter titles stand out and transitions between sections are smooth. 

• Avoiding awkward spacing, widows and orphans (those lonely lines of text at the top or bottom of pages). 

You do not need to be a design expert to get this right. If you are thinking about how to print your own book and you are handling formatting yourself, take your time and use design software with book templates. If you would rather not wrestle with layout tools, we are always happy to take it off your hands and do the design work for you. 

 

Cover Design: First Impressions Matter

Now let’s talk covers. It is the first thing anyone sees and, rightly or wrongly, it has a big influence on how your book is perceived. A strong cover will make your book stand out on shelves and in online shops, and it gives a sense of professionalism before a single page is turned. 

A proper book cover includes three parts: 

• The front cover, where your title, subtitle and author name live. 

• The spine, which includes the title and author again, especially for thicker books. 

• The back cover, where you can add a blurb, author bio, reviews or even a barcode if needed. 

If you are considering how to get your book printed and want to make a great first impression, investing in a good cover design is well worth it. We can help you design one from scratch or work with files you provide. Just make sure the design is sized correctly for your book’s dimensions and has a bleed area to avoid any white lines at the edges. 

 

Proofing: The Safety Net Step

Before we move into full production, we highly recommend ordering an unbound printed proof copy. This is a single version of your book, printed exactly as it will appear in the final run. It gives you the chance to spot any issues with layout, text, spacing or print quality before committing to a full order. 

You would be surprised by how different things can look on paper compared to a computer screen. Typos you have missed for months may suddenly leap off the page. That table you thought was centred might be wandering a bit to the left. The cover might feel a few shades darker than you expected. 

Catching these issues at this early stage is far easier and cheaper than fixing them after 100 copies have been printed. Trust us, this step saves many headaches and regrets. 

 

Printing: The Real Deal Begins

Once you have approved your proof, it is time to start the real printing. This is where your book truly comes to life. At Print My Book, we use professional digital printing technology to produce high-quality books with crisp text and vibrant covers. 

This stage of the process of book printing includes: 

• Printing your interior pages on your choice of paper (usually white or cream). 

• Printing your cover in full colour, often with a protective laminate finish. 

• Quality checking each print run to ensure consistency. 

The great thing about digital printing is that it is flexible and cost-effective for smaller runs. Whether you need ten copies or a few hundred, we can produce what you need without the big minimums associated with traditional offset printing. 

 

Binding: Holding It All Together 

Once the pages are printed, they need to be assembled into a proper book. This is the binding stage and where your book starts to look and feel like the real deal. 

We offer several binding options, depending on your book’s style, length and intended use: 

• Perfect binding: the most common option for paperbacks, with a flat spine and professional look. 

• Saddle stitching: ideal for shorter books or booklets, using staples down the centre fold. 

• Hardcover binding: a more durable and premium option, often used for keepsakes or higher-end projects. 

If you are exploring how to print your own book but are not sure which binding method to choose, we can help you decide based on your goals, page count and budget. 

 

Final Checks and Finishing Touches 

Before any books are sent out, we carry out a final round of quality control. We check the print alignment, the trimming, the binding and the overall look and feel of your book. We treat each project as if it were our own because we know how important this moment is for every author. 

 

Shipping and Delivery: Your Book’s Big Debut

With everything printed, bound and checked, your books are ready to head out into the world. Whether you are ordering just a few copies or a full print batch, we offer both delivery and collection options to suit your needs. 

When that box of freshly printed books arrives, trust us, there is nothing quite like opening it for the first time. It is a proud, exciting moment, and one we never get tired of seeing our customer’s experience. 

 

Bringing It All Together

So, there you have it. That is the book printing process step by step, from raw manuscript to a finished, tangible copy. If you have been searching for how to get a book printed or wondering how to print your own book without all the stress, we hope this guide has helped clarify the path ahead. 

At Print My Book, we are here to make the process of book printing as simple and straightforward as possible. Whether you need a bit of help with formatting, want advice on cover design, or are ready to print tomorrow, we are just a call or click away. 

Your words matter. Let’s put them on paper, properly.