Binding Options
The best books have bindings that allow them to stand upright on a bookshelf, have room for a title on the spine, and are sturdy enough not to break apart or lose pages if dropped. Sewn bindings and hardback covers are best. Budget considerations may say otherwise, however. Whatever binding you choose, be sure that it is as sturdy as your budget can afford. And even though they don’t stand as nicely on a bookshelf, spiral bindings do allow the book to lie flat for easy perusal. The cover of your book should also have a finish or coating to prevent it from becoming smudged or discolored by normal handling.Printing or Publishing the Book
Once the design and printing specifications are chosen for your book, it's time to obtain estimates for the printing and binding. The printer or publisher should present you with a detailed list of costs, and a cost per book based on the total number of books ordered. You may want to get a bid from both your local quick-copy shop, as well as a short-run publisher.Some publishers will print hard-bound family histories with no minimum order, but this usually increases the price per book. The advantage to this option is that family members can order their own copies when they wish, and you aren’t faced with purchasing books and storing them yourself. Explore the options available from these Short-Run Family History Publishers.
Kimberly Powell, About.com's Genealogy Guide since 2000, is a professional genealogist and the author of "Everything Family Tree, 2nd Edition." Click here for more information on Kimberly Powell.
