FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have a question for us?
You're probably not the only one. Here are some of the questions we hear most frequently. If your question isn’t listed, ask us a question or call 734-426-3939.
Customer Service FAQs
What can I expect from my customer service team?
On the day your complete job and signed quote are received, you will be emailed or faxed a Customer Notification. This lets you know that your job has been received and lists any missing items, i.e., shipping instructions, foil choice.
If you are new to Thomson-Shore, a welcome letter will be emailed or faxed to you. This welcome letter introduces you to your team at Thomson-Shore and provides their contact information. Your team includes a Customer Service Representative (CSR), Customer Service Associate (CSA), Planner, and Cover Artist.
Your job pieces (text, cover, jacket, inserts) will be simultaneously reviewed, imposed and prepped for press and manufacturing. If there are any questions at this stage, you will receive communication from your Thomson-Shore team requesting information.
Thomson-Shore proof approvals can be communicated via email or phone. Please discuss any changes with your CSR. Your CSR is the leader of the Customer Service team. Your CSR can help you with proofing, scheduling, and packing and shipping questions.
If you are new to Thomson-Shore, a welcome letter will be emailed or faxed to you. This welcome letter introduces you to your team at Thomson-Shore and provides their contact information. Your team includes a Customer Service Representative (CSR), Customer Service Associate (CSA), Planner, and Cover Artist.
Your job pieces (text, cover, jacket, inserts) will be simultaneously reviewed, imposed and prepped for press and manufacturing. If there are any questions at this stage, you will receive communication from your Thomson-Shore team requesting information.
Thomson-Shore proof approvals can be communicated via email or phone. Please discuss any changes with your CSR. Your CSR is the leader of the Customer Service team. Your CSR can help you with proofing, scheduling, and packing and shipping questions.
Where is Thomson-shore Located?
Our Contact page has a map and the full address available to find us.
Who is my Thomson-Shore Representative?
At Thomson Shore, our customer service department is divided into three market segments – Trade and Professional, Religious and Independent Publisher, and University. You will be assigned to a customer service team based on your market segment. Meet our Customer Service Team.
Project Design FAQs
Why do you ask if there are any bleeds on the text pages of my project?
A bleed is a printed image that extends beyond one or more of the page margins. If bleeds fall on certain pages, based on the page count and trim size, it could cost more to produce because the bleeds may cause a double pass at press. To accommodate bleeds a printer may use a larger sheet size to print on.
What is a horizontal or landscape book?
This type of book is also referred to as short side bind. This is a book that is wider than it is tall.
What does the acronym PPI stand for?
Pages Per Inch. The spine bulk of a book is calculated by taking the page count and dividing it by the PPI.
Bindery FAQs
What offset binding styles do you offer – what are the advantages?
Binding Styles for Paperback
• Perfect Bound: text book block is glued to the cover; very economical
• Sew & Glue: text book block is sewn and then glued to the cover; great for books that will be read multiple times (durable)
• Notch Bound: book block spine is scored creating small notches in the text paper in which glue seeps; the reader will not be able to pull pages cleanly out of the book.
Binding Styles for Case Bound
• Smyth Sew: book block spines are sewn as one block and then cased in; durable, tight binding with page turning flexibility.
• Tight Back Binding: no gap between the case and the text book block; spine is flexible (allowing easy opening of the pages) yet eliminates the hole between the case spine and book block and reinforces the book block and case.
• Reinforced Joint Option: super mesh is affixed to the joints of the text book block and onto the board, thus safeguarding that during “hang time” with a rough user, it will survive.
• Perfect Bound: text book block is glued to the cover; very economical
• Sew & Glue: text book block is sewn and then glued to the cover; great for books that will be read multiple times (durable)
• Notch Bound: book block spine is scored creating small notches in the text paper in which glue seeps; the reader will not be able to pull pages cleanly out of the book.
Binding Styles for Case Bound
• Smyth Sew: book block spines are sewn as one block and then cased in; durable, tight binding with page turning flexibility.
• Tight Back Binding: no gap between the case and the text book block; spine is flexible (allowing easy opening of the pages) yet eliminates the hole between the case spine and book block and reinforces the book block and case.
• Reinforced Joint Option: super mesh is affixed to the joints of the text book block and onto the board, thus safeguarding that during “hang time” with a rough user, it will survive.