Enjoy our insightful article where we take a good look at:
Our blog post delves deeper into each of these benefits, providing a comprehensive comparison between traditional publishing and self-publishing with Ex Why Zed.
At Ex Why Zed, we make self published book printing accessible and straightforward for authors of all backgrounds and experience levels. If you are a novice, then you have come to the right place. Our friendly, expert account managers are on hand to offer advice, move the project forward and crucially check your artwork when it arrives to ensure the files are print ready before they go anywhere near our presses.
Our latest article on how to self publish a book is your essential guide to making it happen. We start with a comprehensive introduction to the self-publishing journey and then take a deep dive into 10 successful books we've printed at Ex Why Zed. These case studies cover the full gamut of niches including children's books, photo books, art books and more.
Explore how Chris Nickolay brought comfort to readers with Stories That Help, or see how Kitty Coles crafted her culinary masterpiece Make Extra. Discover the artistic elegance in the Freud Museum's catalogue Women & Freud and delve into the empowering art book My Vulva and I by Lydia Reeves.
These case studies showcase the limitless possibilities of ink on paper—from captivating children's stories like Hurricane Brain to stunning art collections such as Kieran Gabriel's PVC Sunset. Each example provides valuable insights and inspiration, demonstrating how our creative solutions and premium printing can bring your project to life. Our advice covers material choices and design decisions, so you can launch your project with confidence.
Don't just dream about publishing your book; discover how to make it a reality. Enjoy our article, get inspired, and then choose a specification that suits your project perfectly.
Self-publishing in 2025 is less about guesswork and more about strategy—and this smart, step-by-step checklist gives authors everything they need to succeed. From polishing your manuscript with tools like ProWritingAid to creating compelling blurbs, professional headshots, and ISBN-registered covers, every element is covered with clarity and intent.
Self-publishing today is about more than hitting "publish"—it's about mastering the tools that shape your book’s quality, visibility, and long-term success. This article lays out the definitive tech stack for modern indie authors, covering every phase from manuscript to marketing. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned indie, this resource is your launchpad to doing self-publishing smarter, faster, and with lasting impact. Ready to go pro? Start with ExWhyZed.
Read more about our Storage, Fulfilment and Distribution solutions.
Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, indiegogo and Crowdfunder have become popular avenues for authors to finance their self-publishing projects. Many of our clients have successfully used these platforms to raise funds, build an audience, and increase awareness of their books. Art books, in particular, tend to perform well on Kickstarter. By offering incentives to backers, you can secure the necessary funds to cover printing costs and potentially produce more copies than initially planned.
Additionally, consider exploring financial assistance from organisations like The Arts Council, which regularly supports creative projects. We've compiled a helpful blog post with tips and strategies for successful crowdfunding.
Setting up your files can be a tad overwhelming, we get it. That's why we've condensed all the help and info you need into one comprehensive section on our Print Journey - The File Set-Up Knowledge Base. Whether you're an InDesign pro or a Word wizard, this guide's got you covered. Enjoy the 5 minute read and you if you ever feel lost, our team's just an email or call away.
Remember, all we need to print your book is a PDF file.
Not sure where to start or which software to use? Here is our guide to the Best Design Software. If you would prefer someone else to design your book or set-up your artwork, then we have curated a list of some professional design solutions, or find an experienced designer on fiverr or peopleperhour.
Discover a selection of recent books we've expertly crafted in collaboration with their authors.
"Duffy's Lucky Escape" is a beautifully illustrated children's book that narrates the true story of Duffy, a sea turtle who mistakenly ingests ocean waste and survives the ordeal. Authored by Ellie and Ian, the book has garnered national attention, receiving endorsements from Sir David Attenborough and Prince Charles (now King Charless III). Its compelling narrative has played a significant role in raising awareness about oceanic plastic pollution.
The authors aim to place a copy of "Duffy's Lucky Escape" in the hands of every child in the country, having already distributed 100,000 copies. This widespread reach has inspired many readers to advocate for environmental action within their communities. The book's impact is evident in the growing movement to address plastic waste, highlighted by initiatives such as a £60 million fund announced by the government to combat this issue.
Our comprehensive FAQs address common inquiries to assist you in the final stages of your publishing journey. We've gathered a wealth of information to support you, but if you need further clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Books are more than just pages; they're experiences. You can write them, collect them, cherish them, discuss them, or share them with friends. They can sit proudly on your bedside table, waiting to transport you to another world.
We believe in empowering you to make all the decisions about your book. There are no illogical restrictions on quantity or size—it’s your creation, your choice! You've spent countless hours perfecting your work; the last thing you need is a printer telling you, "Nope can't do that. We'll print it at A4 on glossy paper that doesn't suit your content."
Thankfully, we're not that printer. At Ex Why Zed, we embrace a forward-thinking approach to print. We'll strive to find a solution for even the most bespoke requests. This isn't our first rodeo - we've tackled plenty of challenging projects in the past!
Our bottom line is getting your book into print, so we offer very competitive rates that enable you to sell at a price your readers are willing to pay.
So, how much will it cost?
Printing involves numerous variables, making it impossible to price every option online. Use our intuitive Project Builder or email us with your specifications, considering the following factors, and we'll get a quote back to you as soon as possible:
It take 2 minutes maximum to fill out the form...1 minute if you choose the Rockstar route.
From Kitchen to Bookshelf: How to Successfully Self-Publish Your Cookbook
This step-by-step guide is your recipe for creating a beautiful, sellable cookbook—packed with insider tips and real publishing know-how.
Publishing a cookbook isn’t just about sharing recipes—it’s about building a culinary brand that resonates with your audience. This beginner-friendly guide walks you through the entire journey: finding your niche, curating and testing your recipes, writing with clarity and voice, designing a mouthwatering layout, and navigating the best self-publishing platforms. Whether you’re a food blogger, chef, or passionate home cook, it teaches you how to stand out with a strong USP, stunning imagery, and authentic storytelling.
Key takeaways include using consistent measurements and terminology, testing every recipe for reliability, and investing in a professionally designed cover to attract readers at first glance. The guide explores the pros and cons of print-on-demand vs. bulk printing, and shares marketing tactics like launch events, influencer collaborations, and building an online presence. Once you're ready to print, Ex Why Zed’s cookbook printing services are ideal for bringing your recipes to life—beautifully bound, brilliantly photographed, and professionally produced. Let your dishes leap off the page and onto your readers’ tables.
Generally, we aim to deliver your finished books within 4–5 working days after receiving your print-ready artwork. For larger orders or complex projects, such as those requiring litho printing, please allow 8–10 working days. If you have a specific deadline, we recommend discussing it with us to ensure timely delivery.
Our Long Run Hardback Book team get super busy n October to December so if you are printing over 700 copies of a hardcover book in the latter part of the year, book it in nice and early because turnaround times can slip to 4-8 weeks.
We offer a wide range of paper types and weights, from standard uncoated papers to premium stocks. Sizes can be standard 'A' sizes or custom dimensions to suit your project's needs. Our team can advise on the best options based on your content and design.
Yes, we provide both hardback and paperback printing services. Our hardback books feature professional binding and durable covers. View our hardback video guide for inspiration and ideas on how to create a stunning hardback book.
Have a look at our hardback video guide for ideas on what can be achieved.
For over 32 pages, we can bind a softback book with perfect binding.
For smaller page numbers, we can staple bind a booklet for you.
Certainly! Special finishes such as foiling, embossing, debossing, and spot varnishing can add a luxurious touch to your book. These options are excellent for making your cover stand out and can enhance the overall aesthetic appeal.
Each process tends to add £280 to the overall cost. That is a flat fee for 1-500 copies.
Perfect binding requires a minimum thickness to ensure durability and proper adhesion. For books with fewer than 32 pages, we recommend saddle stitching (staple binding) as an alternative. This method is ideal for thinner publications and offers a professional finish.
Our maximum printing sizes are:
Our smallest printing sizes are:
If you have specific size requirements, please discuss them with our team. We can print all custom sizes up to the dimensions shown above
Our setup guides offer detailed instructions on preparing your files for each binding method.
Cover lamination enhances the durability and appearance of your book:
We don't but you can go direct to https://www.nielsenisbnstore.com/ who are the UK distributor. They have a very simple system for buying the ISBN and generating a barcode which you then add to your back cover artwork.
Absolutely! The term 'text pages' refers to the internal pages of your book, which can include text, images, illustrations, photographs, or any combination thereof. We support full-colour and black ink printing to accommodate all types of content.
For quoting purposes, we consider one page as one side of content. Therefore, a sheet of paper has two pages—a front and a back. If you request a quote for 40 inside pages, that means 40 pages of content in your artwork file/PDF and in the book, which equates to 20 sheets printed on both sides.
Self-publishing today is about more than hitting "publish"—it's about mastering the tools that shape your book’s quality, visibility, and long-term success. This article lays out the definitive tech stack for modern indie authors, covering every phase from manuscript to marketing. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned indie, this resource is your launchpad to doing self-publishing smarter, faster, and with lasting impact. Ready to go pro? Start with ExWhyZed.
