Advice, Inspiration & Printing Know-How
Practical tips for creators, publishers, and game designers bringing their projects to life through print.
18 Million and Counting
PrintNinja just passed 18 million pieces printed since 2009. Jeff Zwirek on why self-published work matters, and a thank-you to everyone who helped get us here.
All Posts
Shipping Explained: Ocean, Air, and Your Front Door
Shipping books from China? Compare ocean and air freight costs and timing, small package vs pallet, and what to expect when your order arrives.
PrintNinja Joins the Kickstarter Expert Partner Program
Hi, Jeff from PrintNinja here. We’re part of the Kickstarter Expert Partner Program! PrintNinja has a long history with crowdfunding. We’ve worked with hundreds of creators who have used crowdfunding platforms to get their projects funded. In fact, I have...
How My Books Got Distribution, And Yours Can, Too!
Josh Oaktree on getting book distribution as a self-published author: why you may not need a distributor, how to self-distribute, and how to land one.
What’s Your Deadline? Planning Your Timeline
How long does printing take? Plan your timeline around the three factors that set your turnaround: proofing, production, and shipping. Hit your deadline stress-free.
How I Published My First Book, and You Can, Too!
A guest post by Josh Oaktree, founder of Oak Tree Comics, on the five lessons that took him from rejected grad-school applicant to award-winning independent publisher, and how you can start your own publishing journey.
Card Game Design: Key Manufacturing Considerations
Explore the essentials of card game design and manufacturing and learn how to finalize the deck, box, and components for your game.
Think About Book Design: A Self-Publisher’s Guide to Covers, Spines, and Endsheets
Discover key self-publishing book design strategies to ensure your book is ready for publication and impresses your audience.
How Many Copies Should You Print? A Self-Publisher’s Guide to Print Run Quantity
Five questions to find your ideal print run quantity, with real pricing examples and an interactive profit calculator from Jeff Zwirek, PrintNinja's Director of Operations.
Inspiration for Print Design 4/22/26
Inspiration straight from our customer library for your print design! The ABCs of Architecture by John and Chloe Doessel, beautifully illustrated by @HouseLogos. This stunning board book introduces young readers to the wonders of architecture—one letter and building at a...
How to Find an Illustrator for your Children’s Book
Combining narrative and imagery unlike any other medium, children’s books have the potential to captivate and inspire readers both young and old. Finding an illustrator to bring your vision to life,...
How To Deal With Kickstarter Delays Without Losing Your Cool
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly taken a toll on industries like hospitality, food service, and entertainment. What you may not know is that the pandemic has also had an impact on the retail industry: a shortage of shipping containers has led...
4 Tips For Running A Successful Kickstarter Campaign
Crowdfunding is one of the most integral parts of most self-published projects. In this post, Catholic Card Game creator and PrintNinja customer Matt Martinusen shares 4 of his favorite tips for running a successful Kickstarter campaign. Crowdfunding campaigns can be...
How To Self Publish Without Amazon
“I got it on Amazon!” How many times a week do you hear that phrase? It seems like you can buy anything and everything on Amazon — so what happens when you don’t want to sell on it? In this...
5 Amazing Projects We Printed In June
Our favorite part of working with independent creators and small businesses is getting to see the results. We know how much time and effort it takes to create your dream project, and we love seeing it finally come to life....