FAQ | CM Printing Shenzhen Co., Ltd. - OEM Book Printing Solutions

Are you a direct manufacturing factory or a trading company?

CM Printing is a direct OEM/ODM book printing and binding manufacturer in Shenzhen, China, with over 12 years of specialized industrial manufacturing experience. Our 15,000 Square Meters Workshop operates 11 high-precision multi-color offset presses (Komori Lithrone and Heidelberg Speedmaster), fully automated Kolbus/Martini binding lines, and specialized assembly workshops. We operate strictly as an industrial contract manufacturer for global B2B clients, without retail intermediaries.

Do you sell ready-made books or have in-stock inventory for immediate purchase?

No. We do not sell in-stock books, retail overruns, or pre-printed inventory. CM Printing operates strictly as a 100% custom, made-to-order contract manufacturer. Every project is produced from raw materials according to the client's proprietary artwork, specifications, paper stock, and binding requirements.

Can you design illustrations, write stories, or layout our book from scratch?

No. We do not provide graphic design, copywriting, or commercial illustration services. Clients must supply ready-to-print digital artwork. However, our engineering team provides comprehensive pre-press support: we supply complimentary 1:1 CAD dielines (templates), perform 24-point pre-flight file inspections, and assist with mechanical layout adjustments to ensure seamless manufacturing.

What is your Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)? Do you accept orders under 100 copies?

Our standard baseline MOQ is 500 copies for standard hardcover and softcover books, and 1,000 copies for electronic sound books and complex pop-up board books. High-speed industrial offset presses require significant fixed setup procedures (CTP aluminum plating, ink fountain calibration, and automated binding line tooling), making smaller runs under 500 copies economically impractical for commercial clients.

What artwork file formats and technical specifications do you accept?

We accept print-ready PDF (PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 preferred), Adobe InDesign, and Illustrator files. Key specs: CMYK color mode, minimum 300 DPI resolution, exact 3mm bleed on all trim edges (5mm for hardcover casewrap), live text kept at least 5mm from trim lines, and all fonts outlined or fully embedded.

Do your children's board books and sound books comply with US and EU safety standards?

Yes, 100%. Our children's books comply with US CPSIA / ASTM F963 and EU EN71 (Parts 1, 2, 3), REACH, and CE directives. We use non-toxic food-grade soy inks, water-based laminating adhesives, rounded corners with smooth die-cut edges, and lead-free ABS plastic enclosures. Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and testing reports are available upon request.

What batteries and certifications are used in your audio sound modules?

Our sound modules use heavy-metal-free, leak-proof button cell batteries with child-proof screw compartments. They hold up-to-date UN38.3, MSDS, 1.2m drop test certification, and CE/FCC EMC compliance for safe international maritime and air cargo transit. Each unit includes an insulating Mylar pull-tab to completely eliminate battery drain during transport.

What are your sample policy, lead times, and can sample fees be refunded?

We provide Blank Dummy samples (2-3 business days, $30-$60) and High-Precision Digital Color Hardcover Proofs (4-6 business days, $100-$200). 100% of the sample fee is credited back directly against your mass production invoice when your bulk order meets our standard MOQ threshold.

What are your standard production lead times from proof approval to dispatch?

Standard mass production lead times from final proof approval and deposit receipt are: 15-20 business days for standard hardcover/softcover books, 18-22 business days for board books, 25-30 business days for electronic sound books, and 25-35 business days for luxury gilded leather bibles. Expedited rush lanes (10-12 days) are available for urgent launches.

What are your commercial payment terms for international bulk orders?

Our standard B2B terms are Wire Transfer (T/T): 30% advance deposit upon Proforma Invoice (PI) confirmation, and 70% balance paid after mass production completion and final QC report inspection prior to shipment release. Irrevocable L/C at sight is accepted for orders over $30,000 USD. Sample fees can be paid via PayPal or credit card.

How do you protect our book manuscripts, illustrations, and intellectual property?

We execute legally binding Bilateral Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) prior to receiving artwork files. Digital files are stored on isolated, encrypted internal servers. Setup sheets and overruns are systematically shredded and recycled under industrial surveillance. We strictly guarantee that no client manuscript or book is ever leaked, resold, or shared.

Do you support DDP shipping and direct delivery to Amazon FBA warehouses?

Yes. We offer FOB (Shenzhen/Hong Kong), CIF, and turnkey DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) door-to-door delivery with all customs clearance and tariffs prepaid. For Amazon FBA sellers, we provide full compliance handling: individual shrink-wrapping, scannable FNSKU labels, 5-ply export cartons under 50 lbs, standard ISPM-15 fumigated pallets, and appointment booking directly into FBA centers.

How are books packaged to prevent moisture damage and edge dings during sea transit?

We apply a multi-tier protective packaging protocol: POF shrink-wrapping in bundles of 5-10, heavy-duty 5-ply double-wall BC-flute corrugated export cartons (250+ lbs crush test), heavy waterproof poly-bag carton liners with industrial silica desiccants, and solid palletization with 5mm edge protectors, strapping, and 6 layers of stretch film.

What quality control process do you follow, and what is your defect policy?

We implement a 5-stage Quality Management System adhering to AQL 2.5/4.0 standards (IQC, IPQC, Binding Inspection, FQC 100% cosmetic check, and OQC) and issue an official Certificate of Conformance (COC). If any verified manufacturing defect is reported within 30 days of receipt, we provide an immediate commercial credit/refund or arrange free expedited re-printing and air shipment.

How do you print on ultra-thin 28gsm-45gsm bible paper without ghosting/show-through?

We utilize high-opacity micro-coated opaque bible paper, high-pigment rapid-curing vegetable inks that stay on the surface, and precise prepress line-on-line backing registration (aligning text lines on both sides of the sheet within +/-0.2mm to optically eliminate ghosting between lines).

Can you provide FSC certified paper stocks for sustainable book printing?

Yes. CM Printing is an audited FSC certified manufacturer. We provide Chain of Custody tracking for 100% FSC-certified art paper, woodfree stocks, and recycled greyboards. We can officially authorize and imprint the FSC certification logo with our chain-of-custody license code onto your copyright page.