Hard copy versions of purchased PDF's

[anders lager]

Maybe a stupid question, but does anyone know if it's allowed to make your own "dead tree" version of an official PDF?

Of course, I can print it by myself, but if I want a more professionally made book, like from LULU or something similar?

Or does the publisher have to have a deal with them beforehand, or they will refuse to print the PDF?

Hints appreciated....

 

[Valarian]

As far as I know, you are allowed to take the PDF to a printing shop and produce a single copy for your own use. LULU is different as it's a print on demand shop. However, the local high street printing shop should be able to print and bind a copy for you.

Alternatively, and possibly cheaper, is to invest in a home office laser printer (between £200 and £400) and some decent file binders. I use Guildhall ErgoGrip binders. They're more expensive than a standard 4-ring A4 binder, but hold the printed output like a book. I probably spend around £60 to £100 per year on consumables and print between 4 to 8 books a year. That's probably a high estimate, but gives you some comparative pricing. When I last looked the printing shops cost between £20 and £30 to print and bind the PDF (hard cardstock cover, spiral bound), as they're more geared around bulk printing rather than one-off prints.

 

[Gadrin]

Take a copy in a give it a shot. All they can say is no.

Kinkos was a bit high for printing for my taste (cost as much as a real book) last time I checked (2 or 3 years ago). Things might have changed.

I had taken in a few of GURPS Codex Arcanum (Fan based spell books) and got them printed and spiral bound with plastic covers, for like $8 bucks a piece, I don't remember if I did the printing or they did.

I think I did, for that price.

Anyway when you do, make sure you find out if they recommend best print practice, double-sided or whatever. Might be nicer -- or not.

>

 

[anders lager]

Thanks guys. I have the option to use our printshop at the University. They use pro laser printers and can bind with either ring binders or with glued backs. I was, however, looking for a more professional approach, but I think I'll try them out first. Since it's for private use I'll have to pay for it myself, but their fee is still very low compared to a commercial print shop.

 

[Patron Zero]

Just my two cents, if you do go the printed copy route may I suggest one bound copy for bookshelf-archive purposes and one loose leaf-ring binder version for quick and easy access of materials.

One thought might be to even laminate pages-sections you frequently reference to extend said pages life and allow for dry erase notations to be made as needed.

And simply remember, a printed copy is only as good as the paper it's printed on, please take that into consideration before you order the job mentioned,