Delivery Time and Rush Orders
The speed we can go through the process from a digital file to a printed book largely depends on how far along the design is. You typically receive the quote within a day. The delivery time for the books, once they are ready, is usually 3-5 business days. The duration of the process in between is best assessed based on your files.
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When all files are approved, the delivery time is usually 3-5 business days. Your book can also be expedited and made ready within 24 hours. If you prefer not to wait for postal or courier services, you can also pick up the order at our printer.
If you have an urgent order, we can act quickly. It's advisable to call us and let us know your deadline. We will then work together to determine what is possible. The speed of the process depends on how your dissertation is submitted. If it's already well-prepared, we can typically have the files ready in about two days.
Copies
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The minimum number of copies required varies per university. It's advisable to inquire about this requirement directly with your university. Most universities mandate a certain number of physical copies, such as copies for the Bureau of the Beadle (usually 5-10 copies), a copy for each committee member (typically 7-11 members), several copies for the department's secretariat and the faculty office (varies, but usually 5-10 copies). Sometimes, it is mandatory to bring a certain number of copies to the ceremony. Additionally, you may choose to add some copies for other involved parties, guests, and relevant media. Check with your university to determine the exact number of copies required. The decision on how many copies to order is entirely up to you! You can also provide us with your budget so that we can help explore the possibilities together.
If, after the books have been delivered, you find that you need more copies, you can place a reorder. Typically, this can be done at a similar price to the initial delivery (based on volume discounts), and the books can be delivered in a short period since the files are already ready for print.
Yes, this is possible! For this, we charge €75 for converting the files. A hardcover requires a different cover file than a softcover. Additionally, you will pay the printing costs for the number of copies you order.
Firstly, you will receive a digital proof from us: an exact digital representation of what your book will look like. Based on this, you can identify any final errors. After we receive your approval on the corrected version, we instruct our printer to produce your physical proof copy. If you happen to find any last errors in the physical copy, these can still be adjusted before the complete order is printed.
Certainly! However, you will be responsible for covering the shipping costs based on the current PostNL rate.
Most dissertations are not limited to physical printing only; they are made freely available through the university's database to which you are affiliated. Sometimes, this is even mandatory. However, access to this database is restricted to individuals studying or working at the university. If you want your dissertation to be more widely accessible and serve a societal purpose, we are happy to assist you with that. You can read more about it
here
File Submission
Ideally, we prefer to receive dissertations in a Word format. This allows us to thoroughly review all aspects of the document. If you've formatted your dissertation in InDesign, that's also acceptable! You can send us the package. If you've used another program to format your dissertation, we kindly request a high-resolution PDF.
You can do this through our email address
info@proefschrifterij.nl. If your file is too large, you can send it using WeTransfer.
When you email us the number of pages in your dissertation and the desired paper type, we can provide you with the spine width.
If you want to make your dissertation available for sale, you will need an ISBN (International Standard Book Number). For €12.50, we can request and register an ISBN for you with the Commissariaat voor de Media. The ISBN will be mentioned in the colophon of the book and can be placed as a scannable barcode on the back cover.
If you are handling the formatting yourself, you will receive a template for 17x24 cm from us, allowing you to convert the size yourself. If you have a ready-made PDF, we can scale it for you, provided that the font size is large enough. Keep in mind that scaling may result in a reduction of approximately 2 points in font size. It is also possible to print your dissertation in A4 format, although this will be more expensive than printing in the 17x24 cm format. If, in consultation with your Proefschrifterij contacts, you have decided to print your dissertation in a different format, they will guide you through the necessary steps.
If you have a photo editing program like Adobe Photoshop, you can check the resolution through the 'Image Size/Afbeeldingsgrootte' menu. Images with a resolution of at least 300 dpi are of sufficient quality. Pay close attention to the accompanying dimensions: when an image at a resolution of 300 dpi has a size of 6 by 4 cm, it can be printed on passport size at most. Such a photo is suitable for placing as an author's photo on your back cover, but an image with these dimensions is not usable for the cover of your book. The size of your cover will be much larger. When you enlarge a photo of too small a size, you'll notice that the result becomes very blurry. If there need to be full-page images in your book, it's good to discuss this in advance with your contacts. The size of the book will determine the minimum size of the image in that case.
If you don't have a photo editing program and are unsure if an image is large enough to include on your cover or in your book, send the image to
info@proefschrifterij.nl, and we'll be happy to take a look.
Bleed, also known as the trim area in printing, refers to the margin needed for the cutting process. By adding 5 mm to your file around the entire edge, you provide the printer with a small margin for cutting your book. This prevents a white border from being visible in print. This means your design extends 5 mm beyond the 'edge'. Ensure that there are no important elements within this 5 mm, as they will be trimmed off. For example, if your dissertation is printed in the size of 17 by 24 cm, and you want to place an image across the entire front cover, it should have a minimum size of 18 by 25 cm.
In essence, you can choose from three types of paper:
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MC (Machine Coated) Paper: This is a white and lightly glossy paper with a special coating that makes it smoother to the touch and helps the ink adhere better. It is highly suitable for books where illustrations or photos are essential. This paper type is most commonly used for dissertations.
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HVO (Wood-Free Offset) Paper: This paper has an open structure, giving it a rougher feel and allowing ink to be absorbed better. It provides a matte appearance, reducing the 'splash' effect of images. We recommend this paper type for books where reading comfort is more important than images.
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For books where reading comfort is paramount, Novel paper (cream-colored paper) or white/natural paper is usually chosen. This paper type is less suitable for printing images and (color) graphs.