Short Run Printers

Investing some time in researching printers and finding the right one for your publishing operation can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Even if you are satisfied with your current printer, it's a good practice to periodically gather bids from other operations—this could even encourage your printer to reduce the price you are paying for services. Also remember that, while using a local printer may seem more convenient, you might find a bargain if you look farther afield.

When looking for a new printing service or changing printers, have all the necessary information gathered together before asking for any bids. When asking for an estimate make sure you can provide the following:

• the size of the issue or book (dimensions and page length)
• print run
• type of paper to be used
• type of ink to be used
• will materials be camera-ready or will preparation be necessary?
• kind of cover stock: color? four-color? laminated?
  

You may also want to consider asking prospective printers whether they have an in-house packaging/mailing service, whether they do any in-house proofing, and how problems (with bluelines or the final product) will be handled if they develop. (More on getting printing estimates.)

The size and format of a journal or book will have a large effect on the cost of the printing job, so a printer which is economical for one journal may not be able to meet the needs of another at a reasonable cost. Also, the lowest bid may not always be your best one; quality, service and reputation should all be factors in your final decision. The following is a list of short-run printers used by a few CLMP members; unless otherwise noted, printers offer full service book and journal manufacturing, packaging and shipping. For further information about short-run printers, consult Marie Kiefer’s Directory of Printers (Open Horizons Publishing, 1993).

Blue River Graphics
2985 West Osborn Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017
(602) 252-5687/(602) 252-0626 fax

Cushing Malloy
PO Box 8632
1350 N. Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
(734) 663-8554/(734) 663-5731 fax
www.cushing-malloy.com

Data Reproductions
4545 Glenmeade Lane
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
(800) 242-3114 or (810) 371-370
(810) 371-3710 fax
www.datarepro.com

Edwards Brothers Inc.
2500 South State St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1007
(734) 769-1000/(734) 769-0350 fax
www.edwardsbrothers.com

Heritage Printers
PO Box 669407
Charlotte, NC 28266
(704) 392-1032/(704)393-3376 fax
Hot metal letter press serving literary presses and magazines.

McNaughton & Gunn, Inc.
960 Woodland Drive
Saline, MI 48176
(734) 429-5411/(800) 677-2665 fax
www.bookprinters.com

Thompson-Shore
7300 W. Joy Road
Dexter, MI 48130
(734) 426-3939

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
77 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60616-1696
(312) 326-8000
www.rrd.net

The Sheridan Press
450 Fame Avenue
Hanover, PA 17331
(717) 632-3535/(800) 352-2210

The Print Center
225 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014-4304
(212) 206-8465/(212) 243-7499 fax
Provides press and prepress services for literary publishers.

United Graphics
PO Box 559
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 235-7161/(217) 234-6274 fax
www.unitedgraphicsinc.com

University of Chicago Printing Services
5020 South Cornell
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 702-1999
Because it is university based, this company may only do work for non-profit organizations.