Perhaps you have ideas about publications you would like to bring to life. Like most would-be publishers, you probably believe that fancy equipment and oversized production facilities are a must. You could not be further from the truth. Self-publishing is possible. Even better, self-publishing is simple and affordable. All you need is a tabletop and the right equipment. The specific type of equipment you will need will depend on the type of document you would like to publish.

For many self-publishers, FastBack binding provides superior results for hardback and paperback books. In just a few minutes, you can teach yourself to use this machine to make beautifully bound documents in a variety of colors. This style works on documents ranging from three to 350 pages. When bound, FastBack documents lie flat for easy use and reference. You can even purchase components to emboss foil designs and text onto the covers. This is a premium solution with a premium price tag.

Another option that also provides that perfect bound look is thermal binding. This style binds your publication using a one piece cover that is adhered to the book using a strip of heat-activated glue. These machines are a very affordable option ranging in price from $100-$150 for machines that can bind one book at a time. Not bad at all for perfect binding. With a price like that, you can pay for the machine with just a few sales of your self-published books.

Depending on your needs, color coil binding may be what you are looking for. You have seen this binding type on church cookbooks, workbooks, and school directories. Equipment associated with this type of binding is available in a huge range of prices and capabilities. One of the advantages of this type of binding is that the publications created can be turned 360 degrees. A nice feature of color coil binding is the degree of customization. You can choose custom covers and colored spines. You can even get the coils printed.

Plastic comb binding is similar to color coil binding in appearance, but it looks more like a comb (hence the name). This makes for easy photocopying and reading. This method also allows your publication to lie flat when opened. You can bind publications ranging from half an inch to two inches. Like spiral coil binding, plastic comb binding is very economical and easy.

With so many affordable self-publication options now available, you can get started on your project now. Some documents people frequently choose to self-publish include:

Collections of essays and poems
Family histories
Biographies
Novels
Scrapbooks
Portfolios
Cookbooks
Graphic novel and comic books
Chapbooks
User guides

Think about the powerful impression your book can make by virtue of its professional binding. The greater the visual impact your publication has, the higher the price tag you can set for it. Consider starting your own press today using one of the binding methods outlined in this article.

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