The purpose of any Manual or Handbook is to provide reference and guidance. Most businesses and organizations print manuals and handbooks to address a variety of specific needs, such as-
> Training, Instruction and User Manuals
> Employee and Company Handbooks
> Repair, Maintenance and Technical Manuals
> Equipment, Assembly and Operator Handbooks
> Policy and Procedure Manuals
> Reference Manuals and Field Guides
As a long-time printer of business manuals and related documents, we wanted to share three quick questions you should ask yourself before printing your next manual.
Thinking through the answers to these questions may reveal ways to improve how your manual works and help you save some money along the way.
1) Is Color Really Necessary?
Color printing works great for promotional materials, but most manuals and handbooks serve a different purpose. They're meant to inform, not sell, so the design priorities are different. Many manuals and handbooks also stay within an organization and are never seen by customers.
Because of this, most pages can be printed in black ink on white paper without losing any value. This simple choice can significantly lower the overall printing cost. That said, there are times when color makes sense. If it helps clarify a diagram, highlight an important detail, or make a photo easier to understand, we're happy to recommend it.
As a general rule, though, we suggest using color sparingly in manuals, handbooks, and other materials that aren't meant for promotion. It's an easy way to keep quality high while keeping costs down. If you're putting together a manual or handbook and want help finding the right balance between cost and clarity, reach out to our team at Formax Printing. We'll help you get a quote that fits your project and your budget.
2) What is the Frequency of Use?
Knowing how much handling a manual will go through over its lifetime helps us determine the right paper weight for both the pages and cover. This matters because thicker paper naturally costs more than thinner paper. For more guidance on this topic, check out our page on Choosing the Right Paper Weight. Many manuals, like product assembly guides, are only used once or twice before being filed away or tossed out. For manuals with this kind of short lifespan, printing the cover and pages on lighter paper is a smart way to save money. On the other hand, manuals that get passed around an organization or referenced often, such as reference guides or technical manuals, need heavier paper for both the cover and pages.
This helps them hold up under frequent use. Choosing the right weight from the start just makes good business sense, since it helps you avoid paying to reprint manuals too soon. Some manuals face tougher conditions altogether. Repair manuals and field guides, for example, often get used in dirty, oily, or damp environments.
For these projects, we recommend adding a clear plastic laminate to the cover and pages. This coating adds an extra layer of protection and helps the manual last much longer, even with rough handling. Learn more about Creating Books and Manuals for Use in Damp or Dirty Environments and our laminated printing services.
3) Which Binding Style Best Suits My Needs?
The binding style recommended for your particular manual will depend on several factors. For example, if your manual has a relatively high page count - like a software manual - then the Perfect Binding method is generally used. But if your manual has a relatively low page count - say 64 pages or less - it could very likely be bound with the more economical Saddle Stitch method.
And if the page count is extremely low - like an 8-page instruction manual - the information could be printed on one large sheet and then folded into separate panels. This would completely eliminate the need to bind separate pages together.
Furthermore, if the content in your manual might change periodically and you predict the need to swap out pages - like a policy handbook or operation manual - then a 3-Ring Binder is often used. This is because ringed binders provide a simple way to add or remove pages. Plus, tabbed inserts are easy to place into ringed binders to allow for quick and efficient indexing.
The Spiral Binding method, also known as Coil Binding, is another popular method used to create manuals - particularly maintenance and repair manuals. This is because a spiral bound manual can lie completely flat in the open position, allowing both hands to remain free while the user refers to the manual. See more about Coil Binding and the advantages of spiral binding.
Whatever type of manual, handbook, guide or reference book your business or organization may need, Formax Printing Solutions can simplify the entire printing process for you. And if you're looking for ways to save money on printing, give Formax a call 866-367-6221 or submit our quote request form when your next project arises.
Take care! Rick
