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Questions, Answers, Printing Resources

What Folks Ask About the Most: ​

This page answers common questions about book printing, self-publishing, paper selection, and more. You can also access more information about Polyprint & Design here, on your About Us page. 

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1. What services do you offer?

We specialize in custom printing, book design, and archival projects. Whether you need help creating a self-published book, reprinting older texts, or producing specialty art catalogues, we offer comprehensive services from concept to completion, including layout, design, and delivery. We offer storage and fulfillment services. We’ll store your books and ship them directly to customers or distributors in small batches as needed.

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2. Do you handle small or one-off projects?

Yes! We’re happy to work on projects of any size, from a single printed book to a full series of publications. Every project is treated with the same care and attention to detail.

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3. I want to self-publish a book. Can you help?

Absolutely! We’ll guide you through every step of the process, including designing the layout, formatting for print and e-books, obtaining ISBNs, and listing your book on platforms like Amazon. You retain full control and rights to your work.  Read about self publishing in our blog, Notes From A Printer!

 

4. Do you assist with e-books or digital publishing?

Yes, we can convert your book into an e-book format and help you publish it online, ensuring compatibility across popular devices and platforms.

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5. What types of books do you design and print?

  • Art books

  • Academic papers

  • Personal memoirs

  • Family histories

  • Zines, White papers & Brochures, and More...You can read about Zines in our blog, Notes From A Printer. 

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6. Can you help with historical or archival materials?

Yes! We offer archival processing, preservation, and printing services. If you have family archives or historical materials you’d like transformed into a book, we can help organize, preserve, and present them beautifully.

 

7. Do you broker printing services?

Yes, we work with trusted printing partners to deliver high-quality results. We manage the entire printing process to ensure your vision is realized.

 

8. What types of printing projects do you accept?

We accept a wide range of custom print jobs, including:

  • Limited-edition art books

  • Promotional materials

  • Zines

  • Academic white papers

  • Archival reprints

  • Legacy publishing projects

 

9. How long does it take to complete a project?

Timelines vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project. We’ll provide a detailed timeline during our initial consultation to ensure we meet your deadlines.

 

10. How much do your services cost?

Every project is unique. We’ll provide a custom quote based on your specific needs, including design, printing, and additional services like shipping or archival work.

 

11. Do I need to be in New York City to work with you?

Not at all. While we’re based in NYC, we work with clients all over the world. Most projects are handled remotely through email, Zoom, or phone calls. We can also mail sample packs and proofs to you. 

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Printing Resources & References

Looking for quick answers? You can always email us for an estimate or consultation. Also, this page contains essential reference charts for printing—envelope sizes, paper weights, and international standards—all in one place. Whether you’re planning a direct mail campaign, designing invitations, or preparing files for commercial print, these guides will help you choose the right specifications.

Envelopes come in a wide range of styles for business correspondence, invitations, and specialty mailings. Understanding envelope sizing is key for proper insert fit and professional presentation. This guide includes standard commercial envelopes, announcement (Baronial) envelopes, and specialty formats like remittance envelopes, commonly used for donations and direct mail.

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Commercial Envelopes

Commercial envelopes are the most widely used for business letters, statements, and marketing materials. They’re ideal for high-volume mailing and bulk print runs. Below are standard sizes, including remittance envelopes for fundraising or payment forms:

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  • #5 — 3 ⅛ x 5 ½ in (79 x 140 mm)

  • #6¼ — 3 ½ x 6 in (89 x 146 mm)

  • #6¾ — 3 ⅝ x 6 ½ in (92 x 165 mm)

  • 6-3/4 Remittance — 3 ⅝ x 6 ½ in with extended flap (92 x 165 mm)

  • #8-5/8 — 3 ⅝ x 8 ⅝ in (92 x 219 mm)

  • #9 — 3 ⅞ x 8 ⅞ in (98 x 225 mm)

  • #9 Remittance — 3 ⅞ x 8 ⅞ in with extended flap (98 x 225 mm)

  • #10 — 4 ⅛ x 9 ½ in (105 x 241 mm)

  • #11 — 4 ½ x 10 ⅜ in (114 x 264 mm)

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Announcement, Baronial Envelopes & Specialty

A-Style (Announcement) Envelopes

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  • A2 — 4⅜ x 5¾ in (111 x 146 mm)

  • A6 — 4¾ x 6½ in (114 x 165 mm)

  • A7 — 5¼ x 7¼ in (133 x 184 mm)

  • A8 — 5½ x 8⅛ in (140 x 206 mm)

  • A9 — 5¾ x 8¾ in (146 x 222 mm)

  • A10 — 6 x 9½ in (152 x 241 mm)

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Baronial Envelopes

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  • 4 Bar — 3⅝ x 5⅛ in (92 x 130 mm)

  • 5 Bar — 4⅛ x 5⅜ in (105 x 137 mm)

  • 5½ Bar — 4⅜ x 5¾ in (111 x 146 mm)

  • Lee — 5¼ x 7¼ in (133 x 184 mm)

  • 6 Bar — 5¾ x 8⅞ in (146 x 225 mm)

  • 6½ Bar — 6 x 8⅞ in (152 x 225 mm)

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Specialty Social Envelopes

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  • Monarch — 3⅞ x 7½ in (98 x 191 mm)

  • Coin Envelopes — From 1 11/16 x 2¾ in (43 x 70 mm) up to 3½ x 6½ in (89 x 165 mm)

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Catalog & Booklet Envelopes

Catalog envelopes open on the short side, while booklet envelopes open on the long side—perfect for reports, booklets, and marketing kits.

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  • 6 x 9 in (152 x 229 mm)

  • 6 x 9½ in (152 x 241 mm)

  • 6½ x 9½ in (165 x 241 mm)

  • 7½ x 10½ in (191 x 267 mm)

  • 9 x 12 in (229 x 305 mm)

  • 9½ x 12½ in (241 x 318 mm)

  • 10 x 13 in (254 x 330 mm)

  • 10 x 15 in (254 x 381 mm)

  • 12 x 15½ in (305 x 394 mm)

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Paper Weights & GSM Conversion

Paper weight can be confusing because U.S. pounds (lbs) and GSM (grams per square meter) measure paper differently. Here’s a quick guide for converting text weights, cover weights, and common print stocks for U.S. and international printing.

 

Text Weight Papers

  • 50# Text ≈ 75 GSM

  • 60# Text ≈ 90 GSM

  • 70# Text ≈ 105 GSM

  • 80# Text ≈ 120 GSM

  • 100# Text ≈ 150 GSM

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Cover Weight Papers

  • 65# Cover ≈ 175 GSM

  • 80# Cover ≈ 215 GSM

  • 100# Cover ≈ 270 GSM

  • 110# Cover ≈ 300 GSM

  • 130# Cover ≈ 350 GSM

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Formula

  • Text: 1 lb = 1.48 GSM

  • Cover: 1 lb = 2.708 GSM

 

International vs U.S. Paper Sizes

International sizes (ISO A-series) are common in Europe and increasingly requested by global clients. This section compares A-series formats to U.S. standards like Letter and Legal to simplify file setup for both markets.

 

A-Series Sizes

  • A4 — 8.27 x 11.69 in (210 x 297 mm)

  • A3 — 11.69 x 16.54 in (297 x 420 mm)

  • A5 — 5.83 x 8.27 in (148 x 210 mm)

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U.S. Standard Sizes

  • Letter — 8.5 x 11 in (216 x 279 mm)

  • Legal — 8.5 x 14 in (216 x 356 mm)

  • Tabloid — 11 x 17 in (279 x 432 mm)

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Business Card Sizes​

  • U.S. Standard — 3.5 x 2 in (88.9 x 50.8 mm)

  • European Standard — 3.35 x 2.17 in (85 x 55 mm)

Print planning resources for small publishers and indie authors.

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