Looking to print short run (5) perfect bound 6x9

Printing and Prepress
#1

Hi everyone. I haven’t been here in quite a while. (Last time when I was here, the virtual graphic designers who can design stuff in 1 second were not even existent yet… yes, it’s been that long of a time since I was here.)

I wouldn’t normally seek for answers here, but I ended up here because apparently what I’m looking for is not widely available in the US, and it’s my first time doing too. I am printing around 20 different self-promo books at very limited amounts – only 5 of each for the beginning. Of course one set will be kept for my own portfolio, while the rest will be given as gifts to my relatives, and also for reviewers.

Due to my requirement for a short run only, my selection of companies immediately got reduced because not many places print short runs. Okay, but that’s not the end. I searched online for 3-D gloss, varnish, and embossing in addition to the short run, and at this point I’ve found only one company, and I haven’t been contacted back by several others that I contacted (because I guess I am a weird case).

Ideally, I plan to do 4 runs for each of the covers. Correct me if I am wrong here. Is this how it’s done?:

  1. color-printing
  2. 3-d gloss for the title
  3. embossing for the title
  4. varnish for everything outside of the title

Yes, I am looking for something that stands out. Unfortunately, I am guessing that the cost for the embossing would be astronomical, and I may have to surrender and not do it. The idea for the varnish background + 3-D gloss for the title gives more contrast, so I want to keep that… But again, I may also give up on the varnish if it’s too expensive, and I will end up with just 2 runs: the color printing and the 3-D gloss for the title (on the cover and on the spine maybe). Is 3-D gloss title better on smooth finish cover, or is it better on dull (non-reflective) cover paper?

I am located in the East coast, and so far I found a company in the West coast that has all the checkmarks. I don’t want to post it here because it’d be considered spam.

Keep in mind that this is my first time book-printing. A while ago I did a large quantity magazine printing, and to reduce the cost I manually enhanced each magazine with additives such as objects and foldouts. But the manual enhancing will definitely not work with the embossing, varnishing, and the 3-D gloss.

Does anyone have suggestions for me? Am I looking for an avalanche of a large bill?

#2

How do you want to bind the book? Saddle stitch, case bound, double loop wire binding, something else?

No matter what, this is going to be expensive. So be prepared to either buck up and pay for what you want or pare back your expectations.

I’ve been doing this a long time and have not run into the 3-D gloss term before. What is the advantage of doing 3-D gloss varnish and embossing on the title? Wouldn’t one be enough?

There are plenty of print companies that have digital presses that can print a short run — the question is going to be what sort of varnish capabilities they have in combination with the digital press. There is one printer in my area (Midwest U.S.A.) that runs an HP Indigo 7K press. They do “digital embossing” by utilizing 250 hits of ink to create the effect. No idea what something like that costs, but at least it’s out there.

Bottom line, I don’t think any of us here will have a magic wand that will produce what you’re looking for without shelling out some serious money.

#3

So, since it’s digital (and maybe more sophisticated than the older printers), they don’t have to do a separate plate for the embossing I guess? Send me the contact for them in PM, and I will tell them that you referred them to me. And if it works out with them, you should ask them for a discount if you do services with them.

The Embossing – pops up the title of the book.
The 3-D gloss – creates extra special glare of the title.
When both are combined – it starts looking like the expensive books you see on the shelves of the bookstores.

I have actually seen the 3-D gloss, you can check it out on the web. It looks like a 1mm of glossy superglue on the top of the paper.

The books are soft cover perfect-bound. What does it mean high cost? Let’s say a color run on glossy paper is $50 per book, is it going to be $500 per book if the book (looked like something you see in a bookstore with embossing)?

#4

Google Search’s AI feature can be useful. For example…

Are there national short-run printers that print and bind booklets and are also capable of digital embossing, media coatings, and varnishes?

Several national printers specialize in short-run booklets that utilize digital “haptic” effects—such as digital embossing, tactile varnish, and spot UV—which mimic traditional embossing without the need for physical dies.

National Short-Run Specialist Printers

  • Bookmobile
    • Capabilities: A premier choice for short runs (starting at 25 copies), Bookmobile is unique in offering both traditional embossing/debossing and advanced digital options.
    • Binding: They handle perfect binding, hardcovers, and French flaps for short-run projects.
  • Alexander’s
    • Capabilities: This “Web to Print” expert uses 100% digital technology to provide digital foil and spot varnish with varying thicknesses to create tangible depth.
    • Specialty: Ideal for prototypes and one-off pieces, they can personalize every single piece in a short run with unique varnish effects.
  • Aura Print
    • Capabilities: Offers fine finishing for booklets as small as 50 copies, including custom shapes and specialized tactile finishes.
    • Varnish: Known for high-impact visual and tactile covers that increase perceived value.
  • Gorham Printing
    • Capabilities: Focuses on custom short-run book printing (25 to 5,000 copies) with a heavy emphasis on personalization and specialized craftsmanship.
    • Quality: They are highly rated for indie authors and small businesses requiring bookstore-quality finishes.

Technology to Look For

When contacting printers, asking for these specific machine-based finishes will help you find those capable of “digital embossing” (also called 3D spot UV):

  • Scodix Ultra

: A digital enhancement press that adds raised textures, gloss, and 3D effects like “Scodix Sense”.

  • MGI JETvarnish 3D

: Allows for digital embossing from 3 microns up to 232 microns thick, perfect for booklets and brochures.

Other Short-Run National Options

  • Lightning Press: Specializes in quantities of 10–2,000 with professional Saddle Stapling and Perfect Binding.
  • Total Printing Systems: Provides ultra short-run digital printing and a full house bindery for case binding and PUR binding.
  • GreenerPrinter: Offers fully customizable short-run booklets with various high-quality finishes using sustainable materials.

Are you looking for a specific binding style (like Lay-flat or Case Bound) to go along with your embossed cover?