ETA: The lovely Gene and Sasha have swooped in to make sure the cover is as perfectly pretty as I want it to be (but you know still intense/forboding/striking because I’m never easy to please 😂). But I won’t be using these printers again (or possibly overseeing print runs on my own again. I’m not sure I have the temperament for it. 😜).
Having a minor meltdown over the limited-edition paperback covers for Awry (Conduit 1). The proof the printer sent (which cost me $130 BTW) (see my video a couple of weeks back) printed darker than I like. This can and does happen often, due to the printer settings, I believe. I approved the proof (the interior is lovely) but asked them to try to lighten it on their end (i.e. tweak it for their own printer settings, etc). They sent me a photo of the ‘tuned up contrast’ that they did, and it looks AWFUL.
Now, the production team must have known how awful their ‘tuned-up version’ looked, because they wouldn’t have sent me a comparison picture. And yes, I could have just said, print it like you printed the first proof (which was a little dark, lacking the great contrast of the eBook/PDF versions, but still striking), but of course, NOW I’M REALLY WORRIED.
So, more than a little freaked out, I immediately contacted the cover designer. And G&S, of course, are going to fix as much as they can on their end.
I let the printer know that the designer is doing a pass (read: to fix the PRINTER issues. Not DESIGN issues).
And … they immediately inform me that I’ll owe them another $45 for uploading a new cover and there WILL BE NO PHOTO.
Yep, they just want to print the cover without any oversight.
You know, as if their first attempt hadn’t already been an issue.
I’ve informed them back that if they want to send me $4k of books because they can guarantee that the cover looks exactly like the PDF I submit (read: like it should have the first time), then great! But, if not, then certainly they do test prints themselves, yes? Perhaps as quality control before every print run? So they must be able to take a picture and send it my way, and include that in the $45 extra fee, yes?
Haven’t heard back. I assume they’re going to sic someone higher on the food chain on me now.
Sigh.
I loathe confrontation.
I just want pretty paperbacks.
And yeah, I won’t be working with them again. This aligns with my determination to not be running a ‘store’ in 2024, so just … extra motivation to stick to my resolutions, I suppose.
Also, I’m aware that these sorts of issues stem from me defaulting to being ‘nice’ all the time (see the note about confrontation above). Instead of being (what I perceive as) picky and demanding. Because I understand that some printers just default to printing darker, etc, and I just ask them to do their ‘best’ to fix it, while also paying a nonrefundable $2k deposit because they’ve already delayed my freaking print run by two weeks.
In other news, the paperbacks are probably going to be (further) delayed.
Here’s a pretty picture to soothe us all.
Okay, to soothe me.
Okay, enough grumbling! I’ve got postcards and stickers to design/order!
Wow! That is so stressful! I have worked with printers and checking proofs most of my working life – I don’t know how they work in your part of the world, but down here in Australia they usually do a digital proof (it used to be a chemical proof, first run off the plates) for you to approve, then they have to make every other print match that approved version – or else they get to print it again! I have had to stand my ground on this a few times, but getting the print right is important (and they really do know this, they just get antsy about the cost of paper and ink). I hope it all works out well and they stop trying to sting you for more money for something that is essentially their fault. Sounds like chocolate is in order for you today.
We will love it and you, no matter. So, big hugs, and remember, there is a point between nice and picky called firm.
It’s not “picky and demanding” it’s exacting. Which should be the printer’s priority. You are not only sending YOUR work to be printed, but are representing other artists as well. Moreover this is your product to be sold to customers all over the world. You must be exacting! And oh, yeah, you are paying for this work to be done, along with fees for your tweaks! It is frustrating when some businesses only see dollar signs and not people. You won’t be going back. Their loss. Hopefully the final print is as you ordered it. Either way your fans appreciated the heck out of you! We know how hard you work and how much you appreciate us. We love you!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💕💕💕
It sounds to me that they want superior payment, while providing inferior work. Which also says to me that they are unethical, and are cheating you. What you do about what they’re doing to you is up to you, but seriously? I wouldn’t stand for it.
That is not picky in any way shape or form. They are not doing their job, and they want ro blame someone other than themselves. Being the customer, they need to fix it without additional costs. Promise them if they don’t fix it their reputation will suffer. You are a well known author and that can cost them. Remind them that other businesses do not act this way. In any case sorry to hear about the experience and big virtual hugs! You can get through this. Channel your internal (insert favourite character here) I’d pick Jade.
So sorry for all the extra stress.
It sucks that you are going through this when all you want is to release pretty books! Hopefully things get sorted soon, confrontation is horrible. But the pretty picture is soothing.
Ok take a deep breath, (or several) and then give them a good fight. Also know we will love whatever the cover looks like and love the inside even more!!❤❤❤❤🌹
You know, I would read you books however I can get them. It is sad the printers won’t do their job, but I am sure glad you do yours! You do have a right to have it printed as you like it because after all you are the customer! If it does go up the chain, the higher ups will see it is not up to par. So, not smart on the lower end of the printer chain.
Totally looking forward to the new book but not going to pitch a fit because you are having trouble with your printer. They are being horrible and I’m so sorry you have to put up with their crap. We are loyal and because you are so kind to keep readers in the know, we will wait patiently. Breathe deep and enjoy the view.
I am so sorry you have to deal with this. Hope you had a calming weekend, and your week starts with an email from them taking a new and totally reasonable approach, fixing the situation.
Your time is much too valuable to be spending time and frustration dealing with all this. I obv. don’t know your situation but I feel there should be a service you could hire for as-needed admin assistance? Fiverr or something similar? And there may be home-based shop runners who would love to partner with you on merch? I would do it for the books if I had any free time myself. 🙂
As a self-recognized perfectionist and someone with the need to do it myself, I have found great freedom in delegation. And I constantly repeat this mantra: “Perfect is the enemy of good” (or even done, in my case).
We will all love it regardless, because the magic is between the covers.
Best wishes for happy writing!
Angela