In the world of publishing, digital printing has opened a whole new realm of possibilities for creative book formats. 

With the ability to print on demand, authors and publishers, businesses and brands can experiment with unique designs and formats that were once too costly or difficult to produce. 

In this post and the associated session available through my thINK Academy Course, we will explore 5 creative formats for digitally printed books that are sure to get you on the best sellers list with your customers.

Flip Books

If you are Gen-X (or older) you more than likely know what these are. For everyone else, a flip book is a small book with a series of images that, when flipped rapidly, create the illusion of animation. Here is an example that shows 100s of submissions and the winners of Flip Fest 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6dDCpt2COE

In the video, the flip book pages were hand-drawn by illustrators and animators. The same concept can be recreated through digital tools like Adobe Illustrator and Canva, printed by you and carefully bound to flip and fascinate the viewer.

This format can be used to share a quick message, as a save the date or an invitation, to introduce a new logo or special offer. The possibilities are truly endless, and with digital printing these books can be personalized and customized as a true added-value bonus that will have customers flipping out for flip books.

Fold-Out Books

A fold-out book features pages that fold out to reveal a larger image. This format is ideal for art books or travel guides that need to showcase panoramic images and maps.

This format can also be used for highlighting group photos. Think of the entire graduating class in yearbooks, all the employees of a company in local or regional car dealerships, an RFP book for an ad agency, or annual report for a corporation.

Using a regional car dealership as an example, through digital printing all the information about the cars sold and serviced can be consistent, and the fold-out photos and specific information for each dealership can be customized. Dealers can order for their business as needed on-demand versus stockpiling inventory that may require changes before materials run out.

Die-Cut Books

A die-cut book is a book with pages that have been cut into different shapes, or the book itself has been die-cut into a shape. You will need some finishing equipment to assist with this, but once the templates have been created and tested you can share them in perpetuity.

These formats can get super creative – within finishing equipment parameters of course. Think about a book in the shape of a 25 to celebrate the number of years a company has been in business, and the content highlights achievements over the years – maybe it even includes a fold-out company photo.

Books in the shapes of animals for Vets and Pet Adoption businesses. If you can create a customer portal, through digital printing you can use specific pictures of the pets being cared for or adopted on the cover and throughout the pages. You can customize care information by breed. 

Cookbooks also fit this format rather well. A book highlighting vegetarian dishes shaped like a green pepper, or round for baking and the cover uses raised embellishments on the frosting flourishes.

Bigger idea: Pitch the Chamber of Commerce on a local shopping guide and die-cut the book into the shape of the city. Works for local and national tourism, too. Shape the book like Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota or the Colosseum in Rome

Mini Books

A mini book is a small book that fits in the palm of your hand. This format is perfect information that can be easily carried around in a creative little package.

Introduce this concept to marketing and ad agencies, and designers. They can use them as mini portfolios and pitch books. Think about a mini meet our team book that includes fun facts or quotes from each employee. Each book can be different – 

that will be a draw to creative people! You can also use foldouts here and die-cutting.

Pop-Up Books

A pop-up book features three-dimensional images that pop up when the book is opened. This is an advanced format that may require hand-work and outside help. If you explore your options and can make this happen, I suggest you only pitch it for special occasions, collectors’ items, and to customers who won’t flinch at the costs.

Once you have the format down and the templates built, digital printing can make the content for each pop-up book unique bringing even more value to these already unique printed products.

These examples illustrate how books offer a unique way for businesses and corporations to tell their stories and connect with their audience. Make sure you attend my thINK Academy class on July 13 for more intel to open new doors, new conversations, and new chapters for collaboration with customers and publishers.

Print Long and Prosper!

Canon production inkjet customers are invited you to join us to learn more in the upcoming thINK Academy live class – register now!

thINK Beyond Printing — Books

Thursday | July 13, 2023 | 2:00 pm EST

Printers are always looking for new ways to help their customers tell their story through print. One of the biggest opportunities can also be one of the most creative, long lasting, and impactful – BOOKS! Digital publishing capabilities open new doors, new conversations, and new chapters for collaboration with customers. In this session, presented by Deborah Corn, the Intergalactic Ambassador to the Printerverse at Print Media Centr, get the Cliff’s Notes rundown of the publishing applications that have brand buyers buzzing and are sure to get you on the bestseller list. 

Print Media Centr, Inc. printmediacentr.com