Hello! I've been meaning to look into howw to do an extremely limited run of print books, but the deadline just moved up a lot, so I'm calling in the troops. I will focus on looking for something local, but if anyone could point me in the direction of any entity that can print me five copies without having to publish it, I would appreciate it. The reason I believe I can't go through Amazon with this is because I'm having somebody created a limited edition cover and there will be an extra page to thank my five biggest fans (which, if I'm honest, is basically all of them anyway). Can't have that in the regular version, for which the time isn't right yet anyway. I definitely can't go through IngramSpark, because I'm still waiting on proofs for the book that came out in '21. So: Need five books printed, don't wanna publish it so Amazon can send me reader's copies, and they put that "not for resale" banner on the proof copies.
I don't know how it works, but would Amazon or Ingram let you set up two different versions of the book—the regular one and the special edition? The titles would be different—one would be Title Special Edition, and the other would just be Title. Or maybe do one through each?
Some one I know IRL printed 3 Advanced Reader Copies from amazon. She didnt publish it. She just wanted printed copies to give to friends and family to read and give her feedback before the whole publishing process. it even has a banner on it that says "Advanced Reader" I could ask her how she did it if you want to go the Amazon route. i dont know what the steps are or how long it took to get the 3 copies.
But would still require "publishing," as far as I know. Not that it matters that much. Nobody's sitting on the edge of their seat for my new release. IngramSpark is definitely off the table, they're just too slow. I might go the Amazon route if I don't find a better option, but there's still time. The cover isn't done yet. I never even saw an option for ARCs with my previous books, but it's wholly possible that I didn't pay enough attention. But it's not an option. Amazon seems to slap banners on everything that's not the official release and I don't wanna hand out a book that says "I improvised you a gift." ;o) I'm checking into Lulu at the moment. I thought they were just another self-publishing portal (which makes it all the more strange I haven't jumped on it already), but they do print-your-own-book stuff too. So far, after a brief look through, they seem okay. Any reason I shouldn't use them?
Did i recall corrrectly that this is a photo book? if so I'd be inclined to go with Blurb for a very limited run - they arent cost effective for volume https://www.blurb.co.uk/
Only photo I have worth printing is of an unreasonably beautiful coworker, and somehow I think printing it is where it turns creepy. ;o) No, it's an actual book. I've got two guys who are literally always excited to read my stories. At this point in my "career" it's safe to say they are my biggest fans, so I wanna do the Limited thing for them and a select few others. One of them's retiring September 7th, so I wanna give him a copy on his last day. To be honest, doesn't look like I'm gonna make the deadline, cover's not even done yet, but I'll figure something out. ...And I've just been notified that my girlfriend also doesn't care for a book with one photo of an unreasonably beautiful coworker, so thanks, but I won't be needing Blurb.
A local private print shop did a very nice job with my limited edition embroidery texts. While I was at the shop, I looked at some of their other books, also nicely done. Perhaps you could find a similar business?
I'm in the process of looking, but I'm used to the American measurements and I can't find any Dutch shops that match a 8.5x5.5, which it has to be because I'm not redoing the PDF. When I have time, I'll start visiting in person, because the idea is solid.
