ABOUT
Welcome to Thomas Group Printing, our state-of-the-art book printing serves Chicago’s vibrant community of authors, businesses, and educational institutions. We are here to support your vision with innovative printing technology and a tradition of excellence.
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🚛 FREE Ground Shipping for this online order (does not include multiple shipments, multiple orders, or international shipments). ✈️ Paid Express Shipping Available. Orders typically ship within 5 days of placement.
Need a sample? Business and high-volume printers can get free proofs by signing up for a corporate account.
FAQ
How is Page Count Determined?
Each side of a sheet counts as one page, so a book’s cover alone includes 4 pages: front cover, inside front cover, inside back cover, and back cover.
Binding-Specific Page Counts:
- Saddle Stitch: Requires page counts divisible by 4.
- Perfect Binding & Wire-O: Requires page counts divisible by 2.
What’s the Maximum or Minimum Page Count?
The binding method you choose will influence the page count range:
- Saddle Stitching: Works best for projects between 8 and 60 pages, with page counts in multiples of 4.
- Perfect Binding: Suitable for 32 pages + cover and up, with page counts in multiples of 2.
- Spiral or Wire-O Binding: This option is flexible and can handle page counts from just a few pages up to 520 on thinner stock, with page counts in multiples of 2.
Can Perfect Bound Books Lay Flat?
Perfect bound books are not designed to lay flat when opened. Forcing them to do so can damage the spine and weaken the glue holding the pages together. To maintain the book’s quality and durability, avoid pressing it down.
Does Pricing Include Multiple Editions or Covers of a Book?
Pricing reflects the cost of one edition only per book. If you need additional editions or multiple covers, this requires a custom quote.
Does Pricing Include Hardcover and Landscape Books?
The listed pricing is for portrait orientation soft cover books only. If you’re interested in hardcover or landscape formats, please request a custom quote.
What is the Difference Between Coated and Uncoated Paper?
Coated paper has a smooth finish that visually sharpens images and enhances color. The coating can be glossy or semi-gloss, depending on the desired effect, but both options contribute to a polished, professional look.
Uncoated paper has a natural, porous surface. It’s perfect for projects where readability and a tactile feel are priorities. It’s also a practical option for items that need to be written on, like letterheads or notepads.
Should I Choose Color or Black-and-White Printing for My Bound Product?
If your project includes color anywhere – even a single image or logo – it’s a 4-color (4C) job. Our standard pricing is designed for 4C printing, providing vibrant, professional results fast.
Single-color (one-ink) printing is available by custom quote and may offer some cost savings, but 4C remains the most common option. If you’re unsure, we are happy to talk with you to determine the best options for your unique printing needs.
How Long Does it Take to Produce a Bound Product?
Once PDF proofs are approved, production can take approximately 3 days for saddle stitched publications and roughly 3-5 days for perfect bound, plus shipping. Shipping times vary from next-day delivery to a few days, depending on your location relative to our NYC print house.
If you need a precise timeline, send us your project details, and we’ll set up a schedule that works for you.
How Can I Avoid Delays in Prepress and Design?
Before submitting your file, double-check that it’s set up correctly to prevent any prepress delays:
- Bright, high-resolution images (300 dpi)
- Files exported with crop marks and 1/8” bleed all around
- Files exported as single pages within one PDF
Is Shipping Really Free?
Yes! We’ll cover the cost to ship your order to a single location via ground delivery. If you need expedited shipping or drop shipping to multiple locations, additional fees will apply.
Have More Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you’re still unsure about any details or need guidance on your options, contact us here. We’re here to make the process smooth, simple, and tailored to your needs.
Book Printing Chicago
At Thomas Group Printing, we bring over a century of experience in book printing to support the vibrant city of Chicago. From the bustling streets of the Loop to the diverse neighborhoods throughout the city, we combine traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge printing technology to provide high-quality book printing services.
No matter the scale or type of book you’re looking to produce—whether it’s a local business guide or a high-end art collection—our custom printing services are designed to bring your ideas to life with professionalism and style.
Custom Book Printing For Chicago for Business & Personal Projects
Our book printing services are tailored to meet the unique needs of Chicago-based authors, businesses, and educational institutions.
Whether it’s a local startup’s employee handbook, a self-published novel, or educational resources for schools in the city, we offer an array of high-quality options. Our goal is to ensure that every book we print reflects the professionalism and creativity Chicago is known for.
Comprehensive Book & Booklet Printing Services
Thomas Group Printing provides a full range of book printing services designed for flexibility and convenience.
Our online ordering system allows for easy pricing and file uploads, perfect for standard projects. For those needing more personalized options, our knowledgeable team is available to provide custom quotes and ensure your project aligns with your vision.
Whether you’re printing a small batch using digital technology or a large-scale run with offset printing, we offer customizations such as die cutting, embossing, foil stamping, and specialty papers to make your project truly unique.
Standard and Customizable Book Sizes
We offer a wide selection of standard book sizes for quick and easy online ordering at any time of day. Our sizes include:
- 4.25 x 5.5
- 4.25 x 11
- 4.75 x 4.75
- 4 x 9
- 5.5 x 8.5
- 6 x 6
- 6 x 9
- 8.5 x 8.5
- 8.5 x 11
- 8 x 8
- 9 x 12
- A4
- A5
For projects that require something unique, our team is equipped to handle custom size requests to suit your specific needs.
Book Binding Options for Every Style
We offer a variety of binding options to match the style and purpose of your book:
- Saddle Stitching: Ideal for smaller booklets with staples along the fold.
- Perfect Binding: A professional, clean look for thicker books.
- Wiro Binding: Durable and flexible, great for manuals and notebooks.
- Case Binding: Classic and premium, perfect for hardcover books.
- Post Binding: Versatile for projects that need updates over time.
Custom Finishes to Elevate Your Book
Enhance the look and feel of your book with custom finishing options:
- Die Cutting: Add standout shapes and designs.
- Embossing/Debossing: Create a tactile, dimensional cover.
- Foil Stamping: Elegant metallic or color foil accents.
- Custom Sizes: Tailor the dimensions to your project.
- Specialty Papers: Elevate your book’s visual and tactile appeal with premium paper options.
See Examples of Our Book Printing Work
For more ideas and inspiration, explore Thomas Group Printing’s Inspiration blog, showcasing some of the many creative projects we’ve completed.
It’s the perfect resource for gathering ideas for your own book printing project.
Read Reviews from Real Customers
Chicago’s unique blend of business and creativity is reflected in the diverse projects we’ve printed across the city.
Here’s what our customers have to say about working with Thomas Group Printing:
“Thomas Group Printing printed copies of a booklet for my organization and they turned out great! They sent over virtual proofs in a timely manner and were patient with us as we went back and forth during the approval process. Kelli was a pleasure to work with! We will definitely use them again.” – Chabely C.
“Rory and Kelli (I believe the owners) were able to quickly turn around a project for me and were really communicative and reliable in the process. I highly recommend!” – Nadia B.
We Deliver to Business & Residential Addresses in Chicago with Fast, Free Shipping
Our printing services are designed to keep pace with Chicago’s energy, turning your book printing projects into a reality quickly.
For orders shipping to Chicago, our typical turnaround time is five days for production, plus 7-8 days for delivery. For complex or large-scale orders, we recommend placing your order early to allow time for any necessary file adjustments during pre-production.
Your Trusted Partner for Chicago Book Printing
We understand that book printing needs don’t always fit into a standard timeline, and we work hard to deliver exceptional quality as quickly as possible.
As a fourth-generation, family-owned business, Thomas Group Printing blends family values with the latest printing technologies to meet the demands of our clients.
There’s no printing challenge we haven’t faced, and we’re here to help you every step of the way, offering fast, free shipping to the Chicago area.
Our mission is to provide the best quality book printing and service. Contact us today to begin your book printing project and experience the dedication to excellence that defines Thomas Group Printing.
Download Templates
Our templates are fully editable, free, and ready to print!
Available in multiple formats for use with your favorite software.
See all templatesGet a fast, free quote.
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Chicago Commercial Printing Services
Experienced commercial printers: we've been a family-run printing company since 1912.
