8 Costly Book Printing Mistakes First-Time Authors Make — and How to Avoid Them with Confidence in Singapore (2025)
Book Printing Guide
Gordon Lim | 22 Jun 2025
Completing your manuscript is a major accomplishment — congratulations! But for many first-time authors, the final stage of the journey — printing — can be filled with unexpected pitfalls.
At Print Print, we’ve helped countless new authors across Singapore turn their manuscripts into beautifully printed books. We’ve also seen the most common mistakes they make along the way.
These errors often result in higher costs, reprints, and disappointment. But here’s the good news: every mistake is avoidable with the right guidance.
This guide brings together years of hands-on experience in book printing services in Singapore. We’ll show you 8 common mistakes to avoid and how to print your book with the clarity, polish, and professionalism it deserves.
Table of Contents
- Choosing the Wrong Book Size
- Poor Margin and Bleed Setup
- Picking the Wrong Binding Method
- Using Low-Resolution Images
- Overcomplicating the Design
- Underestimating Print Time
- Not Requesting a Sample Print
- Choosing the Cheapest Printer Without Checking Quality
1) Choosing the Wrong Book Size
Choosing a non-standard book size may seem like a creative decision, but it often leads to unnecessary costs, complicated setup, and longer turnaround times.
Solution: Best Book Sizes for Affordable, Professional Printing
Stick to tried-and-tested standard book sizes:
A5 (most common for novels and educational content)
A4 (ideal for manuals or guidebooks)
Trade paperbacks (5” x 8” or 6” x 9”)
2) Poor Margin and Bleed Setup
Submitting print files without correct margins and bleeds can ruin your layout. Pages may appear off-centre, text can be cut off, or artwork may have awkward white borders.
Solution: Set Margins and Bleed for Print-Ready Files
Set your file up correctly from the start:
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Minimum 12mm (0.5 inch) margins on all sides
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3mm bleed for any elements that extend to the page edge
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Ensure content like headers, page numbers, and footnotes stay within the “safe zone”
We offer free file checks and template advice to ensure your manuscript is fully print-ready before production begins.
3) Picking the Wrong Binding Method
Binding isn’t just cosmetic — it affects your book’s structure, usability, and even shelf appeal. Unfortunately, many first-time authors don’t realise how critical this choice is.
Solution: Select the Best Book Binding Method for Your Book Type.
Choose the binding that fits your page count and purpose:
Perfect binding: Ideal for 40+ pages. Offers a clean, professional look with a square spine — great for fiction, memoirs, or non-fiction.
Saddle stitching: Best for shorter books (under 48 pages), such as booklets, guides, and children’s stories.
Wire-O or Spiral: Perfect for workbooks or manuals that need to lie flat.
Need a second opinion? Our binding guide walks you through all options with visuals and use cases.
4) Using Low-Resolution Images
Many authors submit book covers or illustrations that look good on screen — but print poorly due to low resolution. This is one of the top causes of quality complaints.
Solution: Image Resolution Guidelines for High-Quality Printing
Use only 300 DPI images for all print elements:
Avoid screenshots or images pulled from the web (usually 72 DPI)
For photo-heavy books, check every image individually
Cover art should be vector-based or high-res JPEGs/PDFs
Our team at Print Print checks your artwork quality and advises on corrections before printing. Need help with image resolution or custom artwork? Explore our custom printing services for personalised support and high-quality results.
5) Overcomplicating the Design
It’s natural to want your book to stand out — but design overload often makes it look amateurish. Using too many fonts or inconsistent layouts can confuse readers and cheapen the visual experience.
Solution: Keep your Design Layout Clean and Professional
Keep your layout clean and professional:
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Stick to 2–3 fonts throughout the book
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Use consistent styles for chapter titles, body text, and subheadings
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Ensure line spacing and margins are uniform across pages
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Let your content breathe with white space
We help you simplify without losing visual appeal — ensuring your book feels polished and easy to read.
6) Underestimating Print Time
Many authors assume printing can be done in a day or two — only to learn that quality production takes time. Rushing this stage can lead to errors and additional costs.
Solution: Set Realistic Timelines for Printing Your Book in Singapore
Plan for a realistic timeline:
Allow at least 5–7 working days for standard book printing
Factor in additional time for binding, proofing, and shipping
For urgent projects, ask about our express printing options — but be prepared for slightly higher fees
At Print Print, we’ll help you plan backwards from your launch or delivery date to avoid surprises.
7) Not Requesting a Sample Print
Without a physical sample, you’re taking a risk. You may spot errors — from paper texture to binding misalignment — only after all copies are printed.
Solution: Always Request a Sample Print
Always request a sample print before confirming your order. This lets you:
Feel the paper quality
Check cover alignment and colour accuracy
Spot layout or text errors in real-world format
We include this step in many of our packages because we believe in quality control and giving you full confidence before bulk production.
8) Choosing the Cheapest Printer Without Checking Quality
It’s tempting to choose the cheapest option online, but poor quality control, weak customer support, and inconsistent print standards can ruin your book’s first impression.
Solution: Choose a Printer with Both Affordability and Good Portfolio
Choose a printer that combines affordability with proven experience.
Reliable book printing partners are those who will help you print your books affordably without compromising on quality. Their works are backed by:
Transparent pricing
Responsive customer support
Portfolio samples and testimonials
Local Singapore-based service (no vague offshore printers!)
When it comes to your book, trust matters. Explore our book printing services in Singapore – trusted by first-time authors and professionals who want quality, affordability, and local support.
Print Confidently, Publish Proudly
As a trusted printing partner for authors, educators, and businesses in Singapore, Print Print brings more than just printing — we bring peace of mind. We know how meaningful your first book is, and we’re here to make sure every detail is done right.
Here’s what you get with us:
Expert guidance from layout to final print- Affordable pricing for small and large print runs
- A wide range of paper, cover, and binding options
- Sample prints and express services when needed
- Local support with fast turnaround times
Whether you’re printing 20 copies or 2,000, we help you bring your story to life — beautifully, affordably, and on time.
Final Thoughts
Your book deserves to look as good as it reads. By avoiding the most common printing mistakes — and working with a reliable, experienced partner — you’ll be setting your book up for success from page one to the final print.
At Print Print, we specialise in book printing services in Singapore designed for first-time authors like you. We’ve helped many authors publish confidently, and we’re ready to help you do the same.
Get in touch with us today to start your print journey with expert support and quality you can count on.
