Color Art and Paper Quality

[timfire]

Alright folks, so I've decided to upgrade the interior art for The Mountain Witch to full color. (Yah!) Should I upgrade the paper thickness as well? I've been assuming 60# paper, non-gloss.

I wasn't sure if the color art would "show through" the page or not.

Thanks!

[Luke]

What's your printing process? Traditional press? POD? And how the hell can you afford interior color?

-L

[Andy Kitkowski]

While I love PTA with the marrow in my bones, I really hate that flimsy "one step up from paper" cover, oh it bends.  IT BENDS!!!

So make not that choice and I will be happy.  But hell, if it's a buck cheaper a book to use thin cardstock, then go for it. :-)

-Andy

[timfire]

What's your printing process? Traditional press? POD? And how the hell can you afford interior color?

I'm using POD. I plan on using Express Media. I know some people have had issues with them, but others have had pretty good experiences too.

Anyway, how am I affording it? I'm passing the cost to the consumer, of course. Seriously, I'm simply raising the price of the book to match the increase in printing costs. I was going to sell the book for $15-17, now I'm selling it for $20.

I should mention that even though I'll make the same net-profit per book, my take-home percentage is going to be much lower. My production cost is going to be relatively high for the price I'm selling th book at. I can get away with this because I plan on primarily selling direct. If I ever start making a significant number of retailer sales (which I'll make almost no money on) I may have to re-think pricing.

...

But back to paper. Would it be a good idea to upgrade the paper, or will it not make much difference?

[Luke]

if you're using EM, then let them choose the paper for you. It's likely that your range of stock choices is pretty limited -- semi gloss laser copier paper prolly being it.

lasers use toner, not ink like a traditional printer. so unless you have really heavy coverage in a particular area, you won't see too much bleed through.

-L

[Joshua A.C. Newman]

60# should be fine, I think. What are the options?