Step 1: Proof your files
We recommend that every book is proofed for accuracy, embedded fonts
and images, and content. If you need more information about ordering a
proof, click
here:
The importance of printing a proof
We offer one of the fastest routes to market for your book. We
encourage publishers to print a proof, or a couple of proofs if needed,
to ensure your design looks exactly like you want.
It should be noted that the Snowfall Print Network is under no
obligation to reprint books or refund printing and shipping costs if a
proof was not printed prior to the full quantity of books for an order;
unless there is a clear manufacturing defect.
Step 2: Choose the files to save
We often here this question...what is the difference between an editable book and a saved book?
Snowfall Press has two different BOOK tabs in the print application. It is easy to confuse the two, but there are important reasons why they are there.
The first tab, BOOK SETUP, is where all new books are setup for the first time. It is simple to use this tool. Use the NEW BOOK button to add your new title. Once you click that button, you will see a NO TITLE SET title appear in your list. Click on that title to highlight it, and then click EDIT which will take you to the make-ready template and uploading tool.
When you have loaded your new files the first time, you DO NOT have to press SAVE. Your files automatically save in the system each time you make changes. We will talk about the SAVE button later.
If you need to edit your files in the future by uploading a new body or cover file, this is where you do this. All new files will overwrite the old files in the system. When you are satisfied that the cover and body files are fitting in the template the way you want them, we recommend printing a single copy of your book (PRINT PROOF). Simply click the title you want to print, highlight it, and click PRINT PROOF and follow the shopping cart directions.
Once you are satisfied that the first copy that you print is correct, THEN highlight the title, and click SAVE. This places your approved files in the SAVED BOOKS tab.
The SAVED BOOKS tab is where you keep your final printing files. If you have more than one file with the same name, delete the older versions so that you do not accidentally print them. If you want more than one version of the same book in the SAVED BOOKS tab, simply give them different names or versions to keep them separate. If you go back and make changes to files in the BOOK SETUP tab, make sure to save your book again so that it appears in the SAVED BOOKS tab.
Step 3: Add your meta data (book data)
Now that your files are saved, you will need to add your meta data
(product information) to your account. It is not necessary to add this
data to print, but you must have it in order to use Snowfall's e-commerce
and distribution options. It is important that you use the legal Title and
Subtitle of the book, author, description, price, and the ISBN, which is a
critical identifier for your book throughout the Snowfall Print Network
system and the book industry in general. (if you are not going to sell
your book through retail channels, it is not required to have an
ISBN). Please note, Snowfall will automatically assign a SFBN (Snowfall Book Number) to your book for internal tracking purposes. This number WILL NOT work for retail and must be changed.
Fill in all of the critical areas that will need to be shared with
your e-commerce solution and make sure to mark the title ‘Active' when you
have finished. This will allow the title to be ‘pushed' to your e-commerce
or distribution solution.
For more information about selling your book online, click
here:
For more information about selling your book to retail and
distribution, click
here:
Step 4: Activate your files for e-commerce
Once your title has been activated, you have the option of
connecting your e-commerce solution directly to the Snowfall Print Network
to automate orders with the press and distribution options that we
provides.
Currently, the Snowfall Print Network is testing a number of
eCommerce options including websites utilizing Magento eCommerce shopping carts and integration with the Snowfall API. Questions? Please
contact Dave Sheets at david.sheets@snowfallpress.com
for more information.