While self-publishing my first children's book, "The Great Latke Cook Off", I had no idea where to start. When it came time to selecting a printer, I assumed I should work with a local company. I had visions of popping in to test out different paper weights, watching my pages go through their press, and holding the first copy in my hands. You know, a "hot off the press" moment.

Well, it didn't quite work that way. I had selected a well known printer that was located about 15 miles from my house. But instead of a blissful partnership, I was assigned to someone who was impossible to track down. I would send emails, leave voice messages, and get crickets for days on end. On top of which, every time we spoke, I had to remind her of my project as if it was the first time she had heard of it.

But this was the "go to" printer within a 50 mile radius so I stuck with her for longer than I should have. And then, only weeks away from sending my book to print, she asked me, "it's a cookbook, right?". Nope. Not a cookbook. It's a children's book about a family cooking contest.

And that was it. I realized that this person was not taking care of me or my project in the way that I deserved. And so we parted ways. And would you be surprised to know that a few months later they went out of business?

Fortunately by that point I had already found Steuben Press, a family-owned printer located 1,226 miles away. And while I have never set foot in their building, never witnessed my book running through the press (although they did send me a video!), I knew that they were the right fit.

Talk to an actual human. Online and on-demand printing options such as KDP and Ingram Spark are some of the biggest players out there. You can basically complete all of your transactions through uploads, downloads, and online payments. While that is great for convenience, I highly recommend getting in touch with one of their account managers or customer service personnel to talk through all of your options before you hit that final button.
Assess your own values. With so many printing options available, I recommend taking a moment to think through what is important to you other than convenience and price (which we both know are really important). When it comes to selecting a printer, what do you want to know about their business practices? How about their materials and impact on the environment? Is it important to you to support printers in your home state or country? Don’t assume that you can’t get a competitive price unless you go with an online or overseas operation.
Go with your gut. Even if every author and their sister is using this printer, that doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you. If you aren’t getting the type of service you deserve, don’t hesitate to part ways. Remember, your printer should be a partner in this process! So find the one that meets your needs and gives you peace of mind.