A print run is the number of copies of a book that a printer produces from one printing. A print run can range in size from a few dozen to several hundred thousand copies. The quantity produced in a print run depends on many factors, such as the popularity of the book, the size of the press run, and the printing technology used.
The vast majority of print runs will be done on an offset printing press. This type of press uses large metal plates that are covered in a thin layer of oil. The image that needs to be printed is transferred onto these plates and the oil repels the ink except for where the image is located. The inked image is then transferred onto a rubber blanket and from there to the paper.
The benefits of offset printing are that it is very consistent and can produce a large number of prints quickly and relatively cheaply. The downside is that it requires a large initial investment in terms of the printing press and plates. For very small print runs, digital printing can be a more cost-effective option.
The purpose of a print run is to allow a printer to produce a large number of copies of a book quickly and efficiently. The print run is an important part of the printing process, as it allows for the mass production of books. This mass production is necessary for publishers, who need to print large quantities of books in order to meet the demand of the market.
Print run is an important factor to consider when printing because it can affect the overall cost of the project. A higher print run will typically result in a lower per-unit cost, while a lower print run will often lead to a higher per-unit cost. Therefore, it is important to consider the total cost of the project when deciding on the print run.