Publishing a book is one of the most exciting milestones for any writer. Whether the book is a novel, a memoir, poetry, or business content, every author wants their work to look polished, professional, and appealing. But before the printing stage begins, many authors unknowingly make mistakes that delay production, increase printing costs, or affect the final quality of the book. These mistakes are common, especially for first-time authors, and they can easily reduce the impact of even the most powerful writing.
The good news is that each of these issues can be avoided with preparation, awareness, and the right support from printing service providers. In this blog, we will explore the most common mistakes authors make before printing and how any writer can avoid them to ensure their final book looks exactly the way they imagined.
1. Not Editing and Proofreading Properly
One of the biggest mistakes authors make is rushing into printing before the manuscript has been thoroughly edited. Many writers feel excited to see their book in physical form, so they skip editing rounds. But even the best writers make grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, inconsistent punctuation, and structural issues.
Why this is a problem
Once a book is printed, errors cannot be corrected without reprinting the entire batch. This not only increases cost but also affects your reputation as an author.
How to avoid this
Always hire a professional editor if possible.
Do multiple rounds of proofreading.
Read the entire manuscript out loud to catch awkward sentences.
Use software tools to check grammar and clarity.
Ask at least two people to proofread your book before finalizing.
Printing service providers often receive files with errors, and they must stop the printing process until authors make corrections. You can avoid delay with thorough editing.
2. Poor Formatting and Layout
Formatting errors are extremely common, especially when authors design their book without proper guidelines. Page margins, line spacing, font size, headers, footers, and alignment all play a huge role in the final appearance.
Why this is a problem
Bad formatting makes a book look unprofessional. It also creates printing issues because print machines follow specific layout rules.
How to avoid this
Decide your trim size (5×8, 6×9, etc.) before formatting.
Use consistent font types for headings and body text.
Keep margin sizes standard for print.
Use professional software like Adobe InDesign.
Ask printing service providers for formatting guidelines before submitting the file.
A clean layout ensures the book prints smoothly and looks neat.
3. Using Low-Quality Images
Images in a book must be high resolution. Authors sometimes use images downloaded from the internet or photos taken on low-quality cameras. When these images go to print, they appear blurry or pixelated.
Why this is a problem
Printed images need a minimum of 300 DPI. Low-resolution images ruin the visual appeal of your book, especially if your work includes illustrations, charts, or photographs.
How to avoid this
Always use 300 DPI high-resolution images.
Avoid screenshots or images taken from online sources.
Ask your designer to export images correctly.
Confirm image quality with your printing service provider before finalizing files.
When authors take care of image quality, the final printed book looks sharp and clear.
4. Ignoring Bleed and Safe Zone Requirements
Most new authors do not understand what “bleed” and “safe zone” mean in printing. Bleed refers to the extra area beyond the edge of your book that is trimmed off after printing. If bleed is not added, important content may get cut.
Why this is a problem
Improper bleed creates white lines on the edges and affects the overall print finish. Similarly, when text is placed too close to the edge, trimming can cut off important words.
How to avoid this
Always keep text inside the safe zone.
Add 3mm bleed on all sides (standard requirement).
Ask printing service providers for templates so you can design correctly.
A small mistake in bleed can ruin an entire print batch, so understanding this is important.
5. Choosing the Wrong Paper Quality
Paper quality affects how your book feels and how long it lasts. Many authors choose the cheapest paper to cut costs, but this often reduces readability and durability. Some genres require specific papers. For example, novels use different paper than photo books.
Why this is a problem
Wrong paper can make pages too thin, too glossy, or too dull. It can also affect ink absorption and how the colors appear.
How to avoid this
Understand your book’s purpose.
Choose paper that matches your content (e.g., matte for novels, glossy for photos).
Ask printing service providers to show you paper samples.
Do not choose paper based only on budget—quality matters.
Your book will be in readers’ hands, so make sure the paper feels pleasant and looks premium.
6. Not Creating a Professional Cover Design
Your cover is the first thing readers see. Authors who design their own covers without experience often end up with mismatched fonts, poor image quality, or unbalanced layouts. A strong book with a weak cover struggles to attract attention.
Why this is a problem
A poorly designed cover reduces sales and makes your book look amateur. If the spine width is not calculated correctly based on the page count, it also causes printing issues.
How to avoid this
Hire a graphic designer who specializes in book covers.
Use bold, clear fonts that match your book’s genre.
Calculate spine width using the paper type and page count.
Ensure the design includes bleed and safe zones.
Ask printing service providers to check cover specifications before printing.
A beautiful cover dramatically improves your book’s presentation.
7. Incorrect File Format
Many authors submit Word files or incorrectly exported PDFs. Print-ready files must follow specific guidelines. For example, fonts must be embedded, color mode must be CMYK, and layout must remain fixed.
Why this is a problem
If the file format is wrong, the printing machine may change fonts, shift images, or distort colors. This causes delays and rework.
How to avoid this
Always export your file as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-3.
Embed all fonts before exporting.
Use CMYK color mode, not RGB.
Do a final print preview before submitting.
Take guidance from printing service providers if confused.
Correct file format ensures accurate printing without surprises.
8. Not Doing a Test Print
Many authors directly print bulk copies without checking a sample. Even if everything looks perfect on screen, small errors can appear in physical print.
Why this is a problem
If you skip a test print, you may end up with hundreds of copies containing errors, misalignments, or unexpected color differences.
How to avoid this
Always request a sample copy.
Check margins, colors, images, paper quality, and cover details.
Make changes before printing the full batch.
A test print protects you from costly mistakes.
9. Ignoring Copyright and Legal Requirements
Many first-time authors forget to mention copyright information, ISBN details, author bio, or acknowledgments. These sections complete a book and make it professional.
Why this is a problem
Missing legal details may cause ownership disputes and reduce credibility.
How to avoid this
Add a copyright page.
Include ISBN and barcode if the book will be sold publicly.
Add an “About the Author” section.
Include necessary disclaimers based on genre.
Printing service providers can guide you on where to place these pages.
10. Unrealistic Timelines
Authors often expect printing to finish within 24–48 hours. But printing takes time—especially if the book is complex, has many pages, or requires special finishing like lamination or binding.
Why this is a problem
Rushing leads to errors, poor print quality, and unnecessary stress.
How to avoid this
Discuss timelines with printing service providers in advance.
Allow extra time for revisions.
Plan your book launch only after printing schedules are confirmed.
A well-planned timeline ensures a smoother printing journey.
11. Not Considering Binding Options
Books can be spiral-bound, perfect-bound, saddle-stitched, or hardbound. Each binding style serves a different purpose. Many authors choose a binding style without understanding whether it suits their book.
Why this is a problem
Wrong binding affects durability and reader experience.
How to avoid this
Understand your book’s genre.
Light books use saddle stitching.
Thick books use perfect binding.
Premium editions use hardcover.
Ask printing service providers for samples.
Choosing the right binding enhances your book’s appeal.
12. Not Branding Yourself as an Author
Many first-time authors forget that the book is also their personal brand. They do not include their website link, social media handles, or contact email. This reduces engagement and future opportunities.
How to avoid this
Add simple author branding at the end of the book.
Create a small professional bio.
Add a call-to-action like “Follow me for more updates.”
Share website details if you have one.
A book is more powerful when it represents you as a brand.
13. Not Communicating Clearly With the Printer
Good communication with printing service providers makes the process smooth. Authors who send unclear instructions or incomplete details face delays and confusion.
How to avoid this
Discuss all requirements clearly.
Ask for guidance if you are unsure.
Clarify paper type, size, binding, deadlines, and finishing.
Provide final files only after reviewing them twice.
Printers can guide you, but they need clarity from your side.