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Ex Why Zed Print logo

Book Printing for Self-Publishers & Indie Authors

Bring your story to life with professional self-publishing book printing – total creative control, superb quality, and fast turnaround. đŸ‡ș🇾
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"From the minute I first made contact to ask for a quote to delivery the communication and service has been second to none." Charlotte Bellamy, Self-Publisher. 

Reviews.io 5 stars
Self-Publishing Book Printing USA

The Ex Why Zed Difference

8 Reasons to Trust Us with your Self-Publishing Project.
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Personalised Author Support

At Ex Why Zed, you’re never on your own. Our approachable team loves working with independent authors and first-time publishers. We provide one-on-one guidance, answering questions in minutes. From choosing paper stock to tweaking cover layout, we’re as invested in your book’s success as you are.
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Easy Publishing Process

Skip the technical hurdles and focus on your writing. All it takes is a PDF of your manuscript or book design – we handle the rest. We perform a free pre-print file check on every project, catching any issues before press. No ISBN yet? Need advice on spine width for your page count? Just ask. We make self-publishing straightforward and stress-free so you can concentrate on your craft.
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Any Run Size – No Minimums

Self-publishing should be on your terms, including print quantity. Whether you need just a single proof copy to review, 50 copies for a small book launch, or 5000 for a nationwide tour, we can accommodate it. Our digital presses are perfect for short runs with affordability, and our bulk rates make larger runs cost-effective too. Print the exact number of books you need now, and easily reorder later.
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Fast Turnarounds

Excited to hold your book in hand? You’ll have your book in hand before you know it. Ex Why Zed offers deadline-beating speed – many softcover books are printed and ready to ship in 5 working days or less. Even complex projects (hardcovers with special finishes) are typically completed within a week. We know you’re eager to share your work with the world, so we sprint to deliver without compromising quality.
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Bookstore-Quality Results

Just because you’re independent doesn’t mean your book should look “homemade.” We produce bookstore-quality prints that you’ll be proud to sell or showcase. Think flawless bindings, vibrant cover colours, and crisp, comfortably readable text. From novels and memoirs to graphic novels and poetry chapbooks, every book is crafted to meet professional publishing standards – it will look every bit as professional as a traditionally published book.
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Creative Freedom & Options

This is your book – we help you make it uniquely yours. Choose from a huge range of formats and finishes: elegant matte or glossy covers, hardcover case-binding or flexible paperbacks, full-colour interiors for comics or art books, and much more. Want gold foil lettering on the cover of your limited edition? Or thick, photo-friendly paper for that art catalogue you’re self-publishing? We have you covered with premium options that realise your vision.
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USA Printing & Shipping

Enjoy the benefits of local U.S. printing coupled with our expertise. Your books will be printed at our U.S. facilities (Maryland or Arizona), enabling quick domestic shipping with tracking. You avoid any import fees or customs delays entirely. This means faster delivery to your doorstep and no surprises – self-publishing with Ex Why Zed is as convenient as it is high-quality.
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Trusted by Self Publishers

Join numerous successful self-publishers that partner with Ex Why Zed. With nearly 20 years in the industry, we have printed everything from photography zines to high-end coffee table books. Our wealth of experience means you can rely on our expertise to bring your vision to life accurately and attractively.

Your Story, Your Book – Our Expertise

Every author’s journey is personal. You’ve poured passion into writing and refining your manuscript. Now, Ex Why Zed empowers you to transform that manuscript into a beautiful printed book without the hurdles of traditional publishing. We champion independent creators – whether you’re self-publishing a novel, a collection of short stories, a cookbook of family recipes, or a photography art book, we treat your project with the respect and enthusiasm it deserves. 

For many indie authors, printing a book can feel intimidating. That’s why we’ve built a print experience that is inviting and easy to navigate. From the moment you reach out, you’ll sense our engaging and knowledgeable approach. We’ll ask about your book’s content and goals to suggest the best printing solutions. Perhaps you’re a first-time novelist unsure about cover finish – we’ll share samples and recommendations. Or maybe you’re an experienced zine creator looking for a higher quality edition – we’ll explore paper upgrades or binding styles. Our aim is to demystify the print process and put you in control, like a true publisher.
High-Quality Book Printing for Indie Authors
Possibilities of Self-Publishing & Indie Author Book Printing

A Library of Possibilities

Self-publishing projects come in all shapes and sizes. Part of the joy of independent publishing is creating a book that stands out on your own terms. Ex Why Zed offers an array of printing possibilities to suit virtually any book project:

Fiction & Memoirs


Whether it’s your debut novel, a series of short stories, or a deeply personal memoir, we’ll print it in a format worthy of the words. Popular choices include trade paperback size (for a bookstore-ready paperback) or hardcover with a dust jacket for a collectible feel. We ensure the typography is sharp and the pages are trimmed neatly – giving your story the presentation it merits.

Children’s Books


Bring your imaginative tales to life with rich colours and kid-friendly durability. We excel at printing picture books and children’s stories, offering thick, glossy pages to make illustrations pop. You can choose robust binding and even specialised safety-tested materials if needed, so your book can be loved (and even tugged at) by little hands.

Art Books & Photography Journals


For visual artists self-publishing an art compilation or photo series, our high-fidelity printing will do justice to every image. We provide premium coated papers for vibrant colour reproduction and options like lay-flat binding or large-format hardcovers to give your art book a gallery-quality aura. (If you’re an artist or photographer, also check out our dedicated services for creatives – but rest assured, we handle these projects for self-publishing authors too, frequently blending art and narrative.)

Comics, Zines & Graphic Novels


Comics and zines often embody the indie spirit. We can print comic books in standard comic dimensions with rich CMYK colours that bring your panels to life, or staple-bind edgy zines that capture that DIY aesthetic with professional polish. From manga-style paperbacks to graphic novels on heavyweight stock, we help sequential art storytellers make a big impact.

Poetry Chapbooks & Journals


Poetry is an art that deserves an elegant page. We print slender chapbooks or perfect-bound poetry collections with attention to print clarity and paper texture, enhancing the reader’s tactile experience. Similarly, if you’re compiling a journal or anthology of writings, we’ll ensure consistent quality throughout the run, so each piece in your collection is presented gracefully.

Specialty Projects


Perhaps you’re compiling a family genealogy book, a cookbook with decades of secret recipes, or a niche hobbyist guide. Unusual projects are welcome here. Ex Why Zed’s diverse printing capabilities mean you can take on creative formats (like spiral-bound manuals, or notebook-style publications with custom inserts). We revel in helping authors break the mold – if you have a unique idea, we’ll find a way to print it.

This list is just the beginning. The bottom line is, your vision leads the way. You have full creative freedom over content and design; our job is to materialise it in print flawlessly. And if needed, we’re ready to lend our forward-thinking expertise – for example, advising on how to make sure a wraparound cover design aligns perfectly, or how to incorporate an ISBN barcode clearly.

A Smooth Self-Publishing Journey

We like to say that with Ex Why Zed, the printing part of self-publishing is the easiest part. We’ve fine-tuned our process to remove obstacles and give you confidence: 

1.Instant Quote & Advice: Starting out, you likely have questions – about cost, sizes, paper types, etc. Contact us for a quick quote or just to discuss your project. We’ll provide a transparent price and any guidance you seek. There’s no obligation, just friendly help. Many authors find this initial chat sparks ideas or calms their nerves about printing.

2.Prepare Your Files: You handle the creative, we’ll handle the tech. When your manuscript is proofread and your cover design ready, export them to PDF format. If you’re not sure how to set up the file (for instance, adding bleed for a cover that goes to the edge), our file setup knowledge base and team support will ensure it’s done right. Remember, we’ll check the files for free too, catching any issues like missing fonts or images. 

3.Test Copy (Optional): Feeling cautious? We can print a single proof copy of your book and send it to you before the main print run. This is a valuable step for many self-publishers: you get to experience holding your actual book, see how the colours and paper feel, and make any last-minute tweaks. We’re one of the few services that encourages a test print because we know how much peace of mind it provides. 

4.Go to Print: Once you’re fully satisfied, give us the green light and we’ll start printing your books! Our print team takes it from here – your book files go into production, and we monitor quality at every stage. We get a little thrill each time a new author’s work comes off the press, imagining the readers who will soon enjoy it. 

5.Delivery & Beyond: When your books are ready, we ship them swiftly from our U.S. facility. They’ll arrive at your doorstep in secure packaging, ready for your book launch, signing event, or to ship out to your backers if you crowdfunded your project. And our support doesn’t end there – if down the line you need a reprint, more copies, or have questions about storing or distributing your books, we’re just an email away. Many authors we work with come back for multiple projects, essentially building their own publishing line with our help. 

Throughout this journey, we maintain clear and upbeat communication. You’re never left guessing about the status of your project. We know it’s your baby (and maybe your business), and we respect that trust deeply.
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Custom Book Printing Options for Indie Authors

Fast Quote

⏰ You are just 60 Seconds away
Not ready for a quote yet? Keep scrolling down for more ideas and inspiration âŹ‡ïž
Landing Page - Book Printing
  • Format and Size
  • Paper Finish
  • Colour and Binding
    • Project Details

    Choose a Format and Size

    Orientation *

    Portrait Options

    Portrait Size *
    Prefer a custom size?
    Select a measurement and enter your dimensions.

    Landscape Custom Size

    Landscape Size *
    Prefer a custom size?
    Select a measurement and enter your dimensions.

    Square Custom Size

    Square Size *
    Prefer a custom size?
    Select a measurement and enter your dimensions.

    Page Amounts

    This has to be an EVEN number. Choose a minimum of 8 pages and a maximum of 500.
    Your cover counts as 4 pages.
    The front cover, inside front cover, inside back cover and back can all be printed onto a thicker paper or card. So if you have a 4 page cover and 16 inside pages type '20' in this box.

    What Stage Are You At On Your Print Journey?

    From inspiration to delivery, we have all the resources you need to style, design and print your project

    Some Selected Case Studies

    Take inspiration from our previous work and if you like something,
    we can quote for similar on your self publishing printing

    Ready To Order?

    Send Us A PDF file using WeTransfer.com and We’ll Do The Rest!

    Well done on getting your artwork ready for print!

    Now go ahead and upload the file/s using WeTransfer.com
    It is super easy, free and you don’t need an account.

    1.  Add [email protected] in the ‘Email to’ box.
    2. Add your email below that so we can contact you.
    3. In the message area, let us know:
      • your print spec
      • number of copies you would like to print
      • the best address for delivery.
    4. All good? Go ahead and click Transfer.

    We then get a download link with your files, simple as that!

    Put Your Mind at Rest

    When the files arrive our team will give them a thorough Preflight check. We will let you know if anything needs changing. We don’t just go ahead and to print.

    Once the files are approved, we will send over an invoice for your to pay by card or bank transfer - whichever is more convenient for you.

    In a few days, your books will arrive!

    Your WeTransfer screen should follow this format (but with your details):
    Premium Quality Fine Art & Photography Book Printing

    Retain Control, Reap the Rewards

    By choosing to print with Ex Why Zed, you’re effectively acting as your own publisher – and reaping the benefits. Unlike traditional publishing deals, you keep 100% of your book’s rights and profits. We simply charge for the printing service, and once you have your books, they are entirely yours to sell or distribute as you see fit. Authors often tell us how liberating this feels: you might sell copies at events, through Amazon or your own website, all while keeping every penny of profit after print costs. 

    We also ensure that our pricing remains fair and transparent so that your self-published book is financially viable. Because we don’t impose middleman markups, many authors find they can price their book competitively and still enjoy a healthy margin. Our goal is to enable your entrepreneurial success as well as your creative success. 

    And with our storage and fulfilment options, if you choose to use them, you can run a lean operation. For example, imagine you launched a successful Kickstarter for your comic book – we can print the run, then store the copies and mail them out to each backer for you, simplifying your life. Or if your memoir is selling steadily online, we can hold some stock and dispatch orders to buyers on-demand, so you’re not constantly running to the post office. These services are entirely optional and tailored, but they’re part of how we support indie authors as they grow.

    Self-Publish with Confidence and Creativity

    Ex Why Zed is more than a printing company – we’re a partner in your self-publishing adventure. Our philosophy is that indie authors and creators should feel empowered, not limited. That ethos guides everything we do for self-publishers and indie authors in the USA and beyond. We blend a sophisticated printing operation with a personal touch, giving you both the high-end results and the human support you crave. 

    When you work with us, you’ll notice our forward-thinking approach. We embrace new ideas (both yours and ours), keep up with publishing trends, and continually refine our techniques. At the same time, we’re visually driven perfectionists; we know that the look and feel of your book is a huge part of its impact. So we sweat the details to make sure that, from cover to cover, your book is stunning. 

    We’re also genuinely excited about the projects we take on. If you mention you’re printing a fantasy novel or a poetry book, chances are someone on our team is a fan of that genre and will be extra thrilled to help. We bring that enthusiasm into our customer service, making the process fun and collaborative rather than transactional. 

    In short, Ex Why Zed is the ideal partner to print and launch your book. You maintain full control and ownership, while we provide the expertise, tools, and reliable service to make it happen with ease. It’s the best of both worlds – the freedom of self-publishing combined with the quality and support of a seasoned printing house. 

    Ready to see your name in print? Contact us today for a quote on your self-published book project. Let’s work together to turn your manuscript into a beautiful reality that you can share with readers everywhere – all on your own terms.
    Get your print quote
    Book Printing & Test Print Copies for Indie Authors
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