Kinkos and the printing and binding of PDFs.

[mcrow]

I'd like to go perfect bound, but I don't think I'm willing to put in the time/effort/money to go with Kinkos. Besides, I don't know if you can even get 640 pages perfect bound. :\

I have never seen a perfect bound book that large, Deathstalkers RPG was in the 500+ range.

perfect bound would be very expensive. I personaly have never used prinfu, but I know people who have and I haven't heard any complaints.

 

[BluSponge]

Hey, while we are on the subject, maybe some kindred spirit already knows where I can find something. I'm looking for a vinyl backing with a pocket or fold that I can use when I have things bound at Kinkos. I know they don't have such a thing there, but I can't imagine no one makes them. Any idea where I can find such a thing? Anyone?

Tom

 

[Kafkonia]

I have never seen a perfect bound book that large, Deathstalkers RPG was in the 500+ range.

perfect bound would be very expensive. I personaly have never used prinfu, but I know people who have and I haven't heard any complaints.

I have perfectbound books that clock in at near or over 1000 pages -- mass market and trade paperbacks, both. Aside from hardcover, it's pretty much the only way to print that page length. The books are not RPG-related, mind you.

You might also want to look at Cafe Press. I'd suggest lulu.com, but they're quite a bit pickier about who owns the rights to what you're printing.

 

[BOZ]

one of the fellows in my gaming group works at kinkos and has printed up a number of PDFs. he uses the "supervisor's not here, and i'm working late all by myself" discount.

of course, that won't help most of you...

 

[SteveC]

My suggestion: anywhere but Kinkos.
Reason: they're expensive, and also tend to give you quite the hassle about printing to PDFs. I have used an Office Max where I had some absolutely amazing service from the woman who worked there. Turns out she managed a Kinkos earlier.

You can also check some local printers in your area to see what they can do for you.

Printfu comes highly recommended from some friends, but I haven't used them myself.

Hope that helps at least a bit...

--Steve

 

[JDragon]

one of the fellows in my gaming group works at kinkos and has printed up a number of PDFs. he uses the "supervisor's not here, and i'm working late all by myself" discount.

of course, that won't help most of you...

MY gaming group benifited from the same thing for almost 3 years when I worked at Kinko's. They were all sad when that came to an end.

I also was able to convert our campaign map to a digital format and get a nice clean poster size print of done too.


Back on Topic....
From what I remember, you would be looking at spending more if you go to Kinko's than using teh PrintFu option, based on the Costs for PrintFu people have posted here.

The only way Kinko's might be close is if they actually can print the PDF 2 sided like you want and then bind it, not having to make copies. Just depends on the equip the store you go to has.

 

[Vanuslux]

Wow, I wish I'd known about this Printfu place when I could actually afford to use it. Once I catch up on all the expense of moving I think they'll have a new regular customer.

 

[the Jester]

If you get a competitor's bid from them and bring it to a Kinkos, they'll meet or beat the price. (I know this 'cause I work at one. )

With printing pdfs, you do have to watch out about copyright issues (that's what will give you teh hassle at Kinkos), but if you buy it legitimately and have any kind of thing in writing that says you're allowed to print it, you are golden. Plus, there's always the self-serve printing option; even though prints cost more than copies, at least at my store, if we can't do it behind the counter for you we'll adjust the pricing to match what we would have charged you if you go print it yourself.

I've done a bunch of cool copies, revisions and re-copies of maps using Kinkos machines and supplies, and they work out great. I really, really dig some of the maps I've been able to come up with.