48Hr Books, Pre-Press, Production Printing Schedules

Estimate your book printing production time

48 Hour Books is known for printing high-quality books fast. Estimate your book printing production time to get an idea of when you can get your books in your hands. If you have questions at any point, please feel free to reach out. To check on an existing order, review your order status below.

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The pre-press process

Wondering what happens before we print? See how orders move through our prepress department.

File filter
File filter:

Files go through a custom filter that checks for common file issues, including missing fonts, type that's too close to the edges and low-resolution graphics.

Technician review
Technician review:

Your dedicated pre-press technician reviews the files and adjusts the sizing, layout and design according to your order specifications.

PDF proof
PDF proof:

We create a PDF proof. Typically, PDF proofs are available one business day after we receive files, unless the files require significant work.

Final edits
Final edits:

You approve your first PDF proof or request edits. Simple edits may only take a few hours, so watch your email for updates.

Options that impact production time

Find out how the following upgrades will affect your production schedule. All days listed are business days (Monday-Friday) and are in addition to the base production times for your selected binding type.

ISBNs, Cover Design, Reformatting, Scanning or Other File Work
ISBNs, cover design, reformatting, scanning or other file work: These may add to your wait time to see a proof, but will not impact production time after final approval.
Printed Proofs
Printed proofs: We ship printed proofs overnight, but depending on order options, printed proofs can take 1-6 business days to receive. Your full order production time will not begin until after you receive and provide final approval of your printed proof. 
One Diamond 3D option
One Diamond 3D option: +4 days for perfect bound, saddle stitched, or spiral coil-bound orders. +5 days for casebound orders 
Multiple Diamond 3D options on a single order
Multiple Diamond 3D options on a single order: +5 days for perfect bound, saddle stitched, or spiral coil-bound orders; +6 days for casebound orders
Edge Printing
Edge Printing: +4 days (unless combined with at least one Diamond 3D option, in which case Edge Printing is +2 days) 
Hot foil stamping
Hot foil stamping: +3 days
Special order coil
Special order coil: +4 days (for coil colors other than black or white and larger coils for books that are greater than 350 pages) 
Tabs
Tabs: +1-2 days
Perforated pages
Perforated pages: +1-2 days
Individual shrink wrapping
Individual shrink wrapping: +1 day
Freight shipping or special shipping requests
Freight shipping or special shipping requests: +1-2 days

Expedited production options

For perfect bound books

Standard perfect bound books
Standard

With approval by 5 p.m. EST, books are ready to ship in two business days. Weekend order will ship by Wednesday.

Rush Service perfect bound books
Rush Service

Removes one business day from the production time. With approval by 3 p.m. EST, books are ready to ship the following business day.

Rush Service perfect bound books
Super Rush Service

Removes two business days from the production time. With approval by noon EST, books are ready to ship the same day.


For hardcover and spiral coil books

Standard hardcover and spiral coil books
Standard

With approval by 5 p.m. EST, books are ready to ship in two business days. Weekend order will ship by Wednesday.

Rush Service hardcover and spiral coil books
Rush Service

Removes one business day from the production time. With approval by 3 p.m. EST, books are ready to ship the following business day.

Rush Service hardcover and spiral coil books
Super Rush Service

Removes two business days from the production time. With approval by noon EST, books are ready to ship the same day.

Ordering more than 500 books?

For large orders or multiple orders, get in touch with our customer service team to set up a shipping schedule that works best for you!

48hr books, large book orders, multiple orders
Ready to start printing

I'm ready to print my books

To place an order, fill out a simple form to tell us about your book. After the order is placed, you'll be able to upload your files directly to us.

Start Printing

Already have an order placed?

To understand where you are in the process and what comes next, log into your account to check your order status.

We're waiting for you to provide files or instructions. If you’ve placed your order outside of normal business hours, we may be preparing to process it. Otherwise, please upload your files or check to see if you have unanswered order notes from us.
Wait for us to create your PDF Proofs
Review your PDF Proofs, then Approve or Reject them
Wait for us to print, bind & ship your Printed Proof
Wait for us to print, bind & ship your Printed Proof
Pay balance, then we'll print your books
We're printing your books!
Your books are printed, and they’re being bound
Your books are ready for pickup
Your books are being packaged
Your books are ready!
Your order is complete