At 18:49 18/02/2006, Brian Beanland wrote: >I am in the final stages of preparing a family history book using Family >Tree Maker 2006. I would estimate that the completed book will comprise 200 >pages of A4 - the book is a mixture of text and pictures. >Does anyone have experience of having a family tree book professionally >printed? I doubt that I will require more than 30 copies. In particular I >would be interested to understand: >1. Precisely what format will a professional printer require me to present >the book to him, and will he need to have the FTM program on his system? >2. Is A4 the best size for the finished book? >3. Is there likely to be a large cost difference in having the book printed >in colour? >4. What facts do those who have published their books wish they had known >before they handed the copy to the printer? Comments from a very interested (but inexperienced) observer:- Sorry if I am a bit niaive, but I am prompted to ask some questions 1. Do you really need the help of a "printer": if you only want 30 copies? 2. Are you are just looking for a quality binder to make the finished object look professional ? 3. Pages?; There is a big difference between 200 sheets and 200 sides of A4. 4. Could you not do most of the printing, using home computer facilities and/or local copy shops (in colour)? 5. As the cost of asking someone else to produce and bind 30 sets of a "smart book" is likely to be very high, would it be an option to produce a master in .PDF so interested persons can print their own, and then just pay a binder to make say 5 "smart books" ? 6. Is there a UK equivalent of the on-line publishing house <www.lulu.com> ? Best wishes with your project, but obviously a lot depends on what quality you are prepared to pay for. Gordon +Z +Z_______________+Z_______________+Z__________________________+Z <www.adshead.com> Gordon Adshead Manchester Design Technology Beaumont House, 2 Goodrington Road, Handforth, Cheshire, SK9 3AT, England Tel:Fax:Msg:+44-1625-549770 Mob:+44-777-6145602 <gordon@adshead.com>