Camera-ready copies refers to manuscripts which are ready for printing with no further editing or typesetting required, typically used within the publishing industry for books.
“Camera-ready” refers back to a time when printing was done with cameras rather than computers. For book printing purposes, each page of manuscript would need to be photographed before being used to create printing plates – a process known as “camera-ready copy.”
Since books are now printed using computers, the term “camera-ready copy” may seem outdated; nevertheless, publishing industry professionals still use this phrase to refer to manuscripts ready to be sent off for printing.
Before a manuscript can be considered camera-ready, several steps need to be completed. First and foremost is editing and proofreading – any corrections made must be in their final forms before beginning editing again.
Next, the manuscript must be formatted according to publisher specifications – such as margin sizes, page numbers and chapter headings.
Finally, the manuscript needs to be typeset; that is, converted into a form suitable for printing presses. Once this step has been completed, it can be sent off for production.
“Camera-ready copy” may seem like an outdated term now that books no longer printed using cameras, but the publishing industry continues to use it to describe manuscripts ready for printing. If you plan to self publish, make sure your manuscript has been edited, proofread and formatted according to publisher specifications before considering it as camera-ready copy.