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Should you print your books in China? According to PrintNinja.com, an online U.S.–based print broker, the world’s very first printed book was produced in China in C.E. 868, so “it only makes sense” to print there now, “back where it all started.” Well, let’s hope we put a bit more thought into the important decisions that affect our bottom lines. I have always taken it as a given that printing is less expensive in China. But now that fuel and freight costs have gone up around the world (Chinese demand plays no small part in that) and now that North American printers have gotten leaner and more efficient (“thanks” to our depressed economy), I have lately been wondering whether China is as competitive as it was a decade ago. I’ve been motivated by other concerns too. China is one of the most polluted nations on earth. Does it care about the environment and provide publishers with products that are safe and green? Do Chinese factories treat their workers well and pay them decently? And in the end, do I want to be sending so many dollars overseas, particularly to a country that may not even allow its people to obtain or read many of the same books its factories produce? Should I make every effort to buy domestically, knowing that keeping our own workers employed makes our economy, and our country, stronger and healthier?
I wish my investigations had had more clear-cut results. The best answer to all my questions seems to be: It depends. So many factors affect the outcome of any print job you’re thinking of sending overseas, starting with the job specs themselves and extending to materials, freight costs, scheduling needs, revenue margins, and on and on. But in the end, there are just two things you absolutely must do before you can come to the decision that is right for you:
The best move here is simple: Work with a reliable printer at home or in Asia, and you aren’t likely to have any quality concerns. Printers on both continents have the latest equipment run by experienced, trained personnel. But keep a couple of things in mind:
This is one area where North American printers have the edge. Print a book in China, and it will be delivered in about ten to twelve weeks. A North American printer can have that same book to you in five to six weeks, or less. And if you have a hot-selling title, or if you guessed wrong on initial demand, your failure to fill up the supply chain can have disastrous results, particularly around the holidays. As John Byrd of the independent book publisher Cinco Puntos Press points out, “We’re under a lot of pressure to keep inventory levels low, so if we print in China we can sometimes run into problems with having enough stock on hand.” Frank Bartenstein of WTA, a freight broker experienced in handling shipments of books from China to North America, provided the following estimates for shipment date to landing time from China:
Actual production costs (prepress plus PPB) are likely the single most important factor affecting your decision to print in Asia. But while Asian printers will always try to sell you on their low costs, it turns out that the costs are not as low as they used to be and that, once you add in everything else, the difference, while still fairly large, will probably not be a deal-killer. To get a sense of differences in costs, I asked three printers in North America and two in Asia to provide bids on three different jobs. The table shows the result. Clearly, at least for these projects, the Asian printers are a lot cheaper. A couple of observations: First, these are low print runs. Your mileage will surely vary. John Byrd of Cinco Puntos says that the sweet spot for his company comes in at “around 5,000 copies.” Second, Ken Coburn of Global Interprint, a print broker with vast experience in China, says emphatically that while smaller print-run or sheetfed full-color jobs will always be cheaper in Asia, if you have a color job that can run on a web press, you will likely find bids from printers in North America very competitive, with all the ancillary benefits of shorter schedules and lower freight costs. Third, my comparison was set up to match apples to apples. But you will want to work with page counts, trim sizes, and other parameters that are in line with the economies offered by your printer, or go in search of a printer that will give you the job at the specs you need. Still, it’s clear that North American printers have a hard time competing head to head with Asia on prepress and manufacturing alone. Freight costs. Cost of delivery is one area where North American printers have the advantage. While freight costs have gone up here at home, they have gone way up overseas. We can’t control fuel costs, but there are things publishers can do to keep freight charges to a minimum. One of your best strategies is to work with a freight broker like WTA. Not only will the broker find the right vessels; it will consolidate your freight with that of other publishers bound for the same warehouse and handle many of the complicated overseas logistics. On the North American side, the broker will land the cargo, deal with customs and port fees, and route your books to the final destination. Most printers can also provide the same “door to door” service, for a small markup that may be worth it to you for the convenience alone. Books, by the way, are duty-free to import into the United States, but you will have to pay an astonishing number of tiny add-on fees, such as a Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464% of the merchandise value), a Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%) plus a Customs Clearance Fee ($100), an Importer Security Filing ($55), and so on. Freight costs escalate if you don’t know what you’re doing. Landing freight in multiple ports for different customers can generate whole new sets of fees, all of which will be charged back to you at cost (again, a freight broker knows how to avoid that trap). As an example, shipping 2,000 pounds of books from Asia to Jackson, TN, will end up costing about $900, or $0.45 per pound. The takeaway: Be sure you are clear on freight and fees before you commit. Yes, you will pay more to bring in books from Asia, but probably not as much as you feared, or enough to justify the higher unit costs of printing in North America. Going green. “Green” printing involves three areas primarily: paper, ink, and waste. In all these areas North American printers seem to be much farther advanced. Certainly there is more popular awareness of environmental issues in the United States and Canada than in China, and this is steadily reflected in government regulations as well as corporate cultures and voluntary practices. Companies in North America get tax credits and earn valuable promotional cachet by embracing green standards. Worzalla, a large book manufacturer in Wisconsin, for example, sports logos from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council and provides comprehensive documentation of its green practices at worzalla.com/solutions/green-commitment.html. According to Elise Gochberg of Spectrum Printing in California, which represents the Canadian printer Friesens, “North American printers are more environmental overall. The plants are FSC and have environmental standards to follow that are not required in Asia,” she says, adding that Friesens offers “recycled and FSC-certified paper selections that are vast and various. And the inks are usually vegetable based or soy based, which is not standard in Asia.” Other North American printers I spoke with said much the same. The picture they (and some “green” publishers) paint is that China is unregulated, even toxic. One San Francisco–based green-initiative publisher claimed that paper in China is produced by clear-cutting forests. Asian printers take issue with this disparagement. Speaking for his main supplier in China, the printer Everbest, George Dick of Four Colour Print Group says: “We print on FSC paper whenever a client shows concern for the environment and can afford the cost difference.” He points out that Everbest offers vegetable-based ink at no extra charge and is investing in an ink piping system to further reduce VOCs (volatile organic compounds), a major pollutant. And he adds, “No Chinese paper company is clear-cutting old-growth forests. It is not in their best interest to do so economically, environmental concerns aside.” I received similar assurances from other Chinese printers. The cost of going green in China, according to Dick, may add about 10 percent to the bill. Needless to say, it also costs more in North America to use recycled sheets and specially formulated inks. Another green issue involves product safety. Many children’s books are produced in China because they require special bindings and handwork. Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, any U.S. publisher that prints children’s books overseas must provide certification that the books “(a) comply with all applicable children’s product safety rules; (b) are tested for compliance by a CPSC-accepted laboratory; [and] (c) have a written Children’s Product Certificate (issued by the manufacturer or importer) that provides evidence of the product’s compliance.” Chinese printers all provide such certification and are extremely familiar with customers’ expectations in this area. But as Ken Coburn of Global Interprint emphasizes, in China “the certifications may not be reliable” from job to job or cover all the material components. So while it is definitely possible to print green and safe in Asia, you need to have faith in your printing partner and to be demanding and exercise vigilance. All the Asian printers I spoke with are alert to these issues (and why wouldn’t they be?), and all state they are doing more and more each year to offer foreign and domestic customers the products they demand, as well as to produce less waste and pollution at home. So in this area, you will pay more to go green regardless of where you print, but you may need to pay more attention in Asia. Working conditions. None of us wants to save money by shortchanging or endangering the people who work on our books. We have all heard the horror stories about the Apple factories in China, the collapsed building in Bangladesh. While a thorough investigation of working conditions at Chinese printing plants is beyond the scope of this article, I did make a point of putting the question directly to the printers and brokers I interviewed. Domini Williams of Regent Publishing Services wrote, “I have been to China and have toured the factories. If you work with a reputable company, they are very safe. There are no children working in them, they are safety certified, and cleaner than most factories I have seen in the United States. In the factories I have seen, the workers are housed in dorms. Most leave their family homes to travel to the towns where there are jobs, and housing is provided.” Kathy Kueneman of the printer Toppan Leefung writes of “frequent audits by outsiders” to verify working conditions. And George Dick of Four Colour notes that one of its plants is even “Disney certified,” which means it complies with the International Labor Standards Program. Living standards and life expectations in China are certainly different, but there seems to be no reason to think that Chinese printers’ employees are being exploited. Still, today’s lower standard of living in China makes it impossible for American workers to compete on wages. The average annual wage in China in 2011 was less than $9,000. The Chinese government has mandated minimum wage increases annually, at a rate of nearly 13 percent per year. So in the next 10 years we can expect some of the cost advantage of Chinese labor to lessen. But it will certainly not disappear.
One skeptical publisher I corresponded with told me, “Every company who does business with middlemen or Chinese manufacturers potentially bears responsibility in supporting the PRC and its companies whose practices could be suspect (e.g., from drywall to solar panels).” As we all know, that charge applies to many of the other decisions we make every day. So much of what we consume is either made in China or assembled from Chinese-made parts. Goods and money go back and forth so seamlessly between the continents that it’s hard to know where one economy begins and the other ends. We could ask, isn’t it better to support some Chinese workers—who bear no responsibility for the misdeeds of their government—with the opportunity to learn a trade and provide for their families? This is a decision each of us must make individually, according to our own consciences or the exigencies of our business bottom lines (or both!). What I hope I have indicated in this article is that:
Peter Goodman, publisher of Stone Bridge Press in Berkeley, California, can be reached at sbpedit@stonebridge.com. His sources for this article include: Frank Bartenstein, WTA USA, World Transport Agency, wtagroup.com Roger Beyer, Worzalla, worzalla.com John Byrd, Cinco Puntos Press, https://www.leeandlow.com/imprints/cinco-puntos-press Oliver Chin, Immedium, https://immedium.com/ Ken Coburn, Global Interprint, https://www.globalinterprint.com/ George Dick, Four Colour Print Group, fourcolour.com Elise Gochberg, Spectrum Printing Group, spectrumprintgroup.com; https://www.friesens.com/ Gregory Graalfs, Sheridan Books, https://sheridancommunicationsinc.com Kathy Kueneman, Toppan Leefung, https://www.toppanleefung.com/ Domini Williams, Regent Publishing Services, https://www.regent-hk.com.hk/ John Wurtsbaugh, United Graphics, unitedgraphicsinc.com
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If you are seeking for a cost-effective and efficient way to print books. China is one of the best places to do just that. With its low cost and high quality printing services, etc. you can have your books printed quickly and easily. But there are some limitations when printing books in China, such as certain religious and political books. In this article, we will explore the benefits and limitations of book printing in China.
When printing books, there are a multitude of benefits that come with printing in China. One of the main advantages is low cost. The Chinese economy is one of the world’s largest, and this has enabled them to produce large quantities of goods at a lower price than many other countries. Such as, if you need to print thousands of catalogs or over 500 copies of board book printing. Printing in China will be much more cost-effective than you printing in North America, Europe, Japan, etc. That means that companies can get their printed books for a fraction of the cost they would pay elsewhere.
The availability of cheap raw materials in China also contributes to the low cost associated with printing books there. For example, paper is often sourced from local forests or imported from other countries, meaning that costs are kept down and quality remains high.
Finally, labor costs in China are much lower than in many other countries around the world. It means that businesses can employ skilled workers at much lower rates than they would elsewhere. That allows companies to produce high-quality printed products without having to pass on higher production costs to customers.
Books printing china offers several advantages that make it an attractive choice for authors and publishers. The most notable of these is the ability to produce high-quality prints quickly, with a short production cycle. That makes it ideal for both small and large projects alike, as the time required to get a book printed is significantly less than in other countries.
First, most China printing companies have advanced technology that can produce detailed graphics and sharp text quality with minimal effort. They also employ experienced professionals who are familiar with the latest techniques and technologies to guarantee that all works are printed accurately and efficiently.
Second, another benefit associated with printing books in China is the speed at which orders can be completed. With access to modern equipment and streamlined processes. Companies can have their orders fulfilled quickly and efficiently without having to wait for long periods for them to be shipped or produced overseas. Furthermore, Chinese printers are often highly experienced and knowledgeable in book publishing standards and processes. Helping make sure that clients get exactly what they want while still keeping costs down.
Third, many of these services offer online ordering options so you don’t even need to leave your home or office to place an order. The cost savings associated with printing books in China are another major benefit. Because of low labor costs and efficient production processes, Chinese printing companies can offer lower prices than those found in other countries. As a result, authors and publishers can save money on their book production costs without compromising on quality or turnaround time.
Moreover, China printing services are highly flexible in customization options. Such as cover design, paper type and size selection — allowing customers to tailor their book orders exactly according to their needs. That allows authors and publishers to create unique products that stand out from the competition while staying within their budget constraints.
All these factors combine, making printing books in China to be an attractive option for businesses. Who looking for high quality prints delivered on time and on budget.
Customized services are a major advantage of printing books in China. Our country has an extensive range of printing methods and materials. That can be tailored to individual customer needs, making it ideal for unique or one-off orders. Customers have the option to choose from digital printing, offset printing, and screen printing with a variety of paper stocks. Such as silk paper, glossy paper, uncoated paper, etc. They can also customize the size of the book and add any additional elements. Such as special binding techniques or embossing to create truly unique works. Chinese printers also offer customized color selections and image reproductions for photographs and illustrations used in the book. That allows authors and publishers to use the highest quality graphics possible when creating their works.
Additionally, Chinese printers offer advanced technologies. Such as variable data printing (VDP), which enables customers to personalize each copy of their book with images or text related to that specific buyer’s interests or preferences. The ability to customize books is a major benefit for authors and publishers looking for a highly personalized product that stands out from other books on the market. By taking advantage of these services offered by Chinese printers. They can make sure their book is exactly what they envisioned without spending exorbitant amounts of money on other production services located elsewhere in the world.
Payment security and speed are two of the most important considerations when printing books in China. To guarantee the safety of our customers’ payments, we typically use third-party payment platforms, such as PayPal, bank transfer, credit card, etc. Not only do these trusted payment system, provide a secure way to make payments online. But they also allow for quick and easy transfers of funds. Customers can easily transfer money from their bank accounts or credit cards directly into the printer’s account with just a few clicks. It is especially beneficial for those who may not have easy access to traditional banking services in China.
Chinese printers are also able to offer fast delivery times due to their advanced technologies and expertise in the field. With the help of additional processes, like digital pre-press proofing and automated manufacturing lines. We can produce high quality work quickly and efficiently while making sure that all orders are delivered on time. That makes it possible for customers to receive their books within weeks instead of months — an advantage that no other country can offer. Making it even more attractive for authors and publishers looking for fast production times.
Also, Chinese printing services often include tracking information with each order. So customers can check its progress throughout the entire production process until it reaches its destination safely. That gives customers peace of mind knowing that their orders will arrive as expected without any delays or complications along the way. With safe and fast payment systems combined with timely delivery times. Print books in China offer many benefits that simply cannot be found elsewhere in the world today.
Books printing in China, customers can expect high quality results. Most of the China printers are well-equipped with the latest printing technologies and experienced professionals who are adept at producing accurate and reliable works. We use advanced digital presses and offset printing systems that produce detailed graphics with sharp clarity and vivid colors.
Furthermore, we use top-of-the-line materials, such as silk paper, glossy paper, uncoated paper, etc., which provide that finished products look professional and aesthetically pleasing. In addition to our technical capabilities, we also pay close attention to detail when inspecting each book before shipping it out. Every page is carefully examined for any imperfections or errors. So customers can rest assured their book will be printed correctly the first time around. This quality control system helps to minimize customer dissatisfaction due to product defects or mistakes made during production.
Finally, Chinese printers strive for customer satisfaction by offering a wide range of customization options for authors and publishers who want a unique look for their book. From special binding techniques, such as perfect binding or saddle stitching to adding embossing or foil stamping on the cover page. Customers can tailor their order according to their exact needs and preferences without sacrificing quality or accuracy. With our advanced technology, experienced professionals, and commitment to customer satisfaction. China remains one of the world’s leading processing plants in the field of printing books today.
Generally speaking, Chinese printers offer competitive prices when compared to other markets. Thanks to our efficient production methods and low overhead costs. Customers are also guaranteed quality results due to strict quality control protocols. Which are designed to make sure that all materials meet international standards before being shipped out for delivery.
Overall, printing books in China offers several benefits including high efficiency, short production cycles, low costs, flexibility for customization, etc. That makes us to be a great option for authors and publishers who are looking for reliable printing solutions at reasonable prices.
While printing books in China offers many advantages, it is important to be aware of the limitations that come with it as well. For example, religious and political books are prohibited from being printed in China due to government regulations and censorship laws. That means that authors looking to print those types of books will have to look for other options outside China. If you are not sure, please contact us. We are willing to help you and aim to bring high quality printing services for each client.
While most Chinese printers are experienced professionals and stringent quality control procedures are in place, there is still a risk of receiving a product that does not meet expectations due to miscommunication or errors made during production. But if you print at ChinaPrinting4u, you don’t need to worry about such problems happening. During each part, our experts will repeat confirming with you and control well, to make sure each client pleases with our quality and services.
In conclusion, printing books in China offers numerous advantages, such as low cost, diversified customization options, and short production cycles. There can also be limitations depending on your book type and which printer you choose.
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