Printed technical manuals and instruction manuals
Short answer: We print manuals, handbooks and technical documentation in editions from a single copy to large series, with revision control that keeps track of which edition applies. Print files are archived per edition, and we can store stock and ship on call-off. Production takes place in our own facility in Västerås, Sweden.
The real problem is rarely the printing
It is keeping track of which edition applies, avoiding scrapping an edition that has become out of date, and getting the right version to the right recipient. We have worked with this kind of documentation since 1966 and have built customer-specific flows for it.
Binding and format
The binding is chosen according to page count, how the documentation will be used and how often it is revised.
| Binding | Suited for | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Saddle stitching | Up to about 60–80 pages | Cheapest, lies flat at low page counts |
| Perfect binding | From about 40 pages | Gives a spine with text and looks finished on the shelf |
| Spiral or wire binding | Manuals used in the field or workshop | Lies completely flat and withstands heavy use |
| Binder with index | Documentation that is revised continuously | Individual sheets can be replaced instead of the whole edition |
We also produce customer-specific binders and indexes when the documentation is delivered as a binder set.
Revision and version control
- Print files archived per edition. An old revision can be reprinted exactly as it looked, not as it would look with today’s template.
- Approval routine before print, so no edition goes to print as a draft.
- Revision marking in the document and on the spine, so the recipient can see which edition they hold.
- Partial revisions. With binder sets we replace the sheets that have changed instead of reprinting the whole binder.
- Traceability of what has been delivered to whom, with a delivery list when needed.
Print on demand and stock
We can store stock and ship on call-off, directly to you or to your end customer. A revision then costs a new print run instead of a scrapped edition.
Several languages and markets
Manuals often exist in several language versions, and content can differ between markets. We handle language versions as separate editions with their own revision marking, or as one combined edition with several languages in the same document. With many language versions we set up a version matrix with you: which revision applies per language and market.
Assembly, packing and delivery
For complex jobs where information comes from several sources, we retrieve material from your document systems, print in colour or black and white (A4 and A3), pick and sort according to your instructions, and pack for direct delivery to your end customer with a contents list and labelled packages. Freight, customs and VAT for deliveries outside Sweden are agreed in the quotation.
Frequently asked questions
Can you print 15 copies?
Yes. There is no minimum edition. We print single copies as readily as large series.
What does it cost to print a manual?
The price depends on page count, format, colour or black and white, paper, binding and edition. Send a PDF and state the quantity, and we will quote.
How do you handle revisions?
The print file is archived per edition, the revision is marked in the document, and with binder sets we replace only the sheets that have changed.
Can you store stock and ship on call-off?
Yes, to you or directly to your end customer.
Can you digitise older manuals?
Yes. See document digitisation.
Related: technical binders, O&M manuals and handover documentation.
Send us a PDF and the quantity
State the page count, binding and edition size, and we will come back with a quotation.