Help

The following sections are contained within Help:

Tips for preparing the layout of your thesis for printing and binding

Prepare your thesis well in advance so that you don't need to rush it or panic at the end to meet the timetables for hand in dates and remember to take into account the time needed to have it converted to PDF format, printed, bound and delivered
Check the examination boards' specifications before you begin and plan carefully including budgeting for the cost of printing, binding and delivery
Minimum margins: All text, graphics, tables, graphs, page numbers, foot notes, headers etc. should have a 2.5 cm (1") minimum margin around all edges to allow for sewing or gluing and trimming once printed
Single side printing, paper stock and special requirements. We will usually print your thesis single-sided only on high quality 100 gsm white bond paper unless you instruct us otherwise in the NOTES section of the order form. If you want some pages printed double-sided or as A3 foldouts then you should let us know when ordering. You do not need to leave a blank page between each page to be printed

PDF Conversion

Once you have made sure that you’re completely happy with the content and layout of your finished thesis then you will need to convert it as a single file to PDF format (portable document file). PDF is the only format we can accept for digital laser printing as it will preserve the exact accurate typography and layout of your work true to how you want it printed regardless of the application and platform you have used to generate the document. For this reason we have provided a free PDF converter for your use on this website.

Note we can take no responsibility for checking or changing submitted files before printing. It is your responsibility to ensure that there are no typographic errors, problems with page numbering or omissions from the document both before conversion and after you have received the file in PDF format.

Our free PDF converter can be used to upload a single file for conversion. The converted PDF file will then be e-mailed back to you so please make sure that you have an active internet email account before using the PDF converter. After you have checked it you can then upload the saved PDF file to our on-line order form page for printing from.

Using our Easy-Calculator

Before placing your order you will need to enter the details of your thesis printing, binding and delivery/collection requirements into our Easy-Calculator that will then generate the total cost. You’ll need to know:

how many copies you want,
how many black and colour printed pages need printing per copy,
what type of binding you want
details of any extras such as pockets for CD’s, DVD’s or loose inserts,
the turnaround time (service level) you want
and whether you are collecting the finished bound books from our shop or if being delivered, how you want the work to be delivered.

Costs for the various options are shown in the Easy-Calculator. More information on the options is shown below.

Colour or black ink only printing

Our digital printers will automatically print any pages with coloured text, photos or graphics contained within them in colour and so no matter how little colour is contained on the page you will incur the colour page printing cost. All other pages without any colour will be printed in black ink only and charged at the black ink only printing rate.

Turnaround times and service level options

Premium Service:
Order today and have the finished print and bound thesis/es ready for collection or despatch tomorrow.

Standard Service:
Order today and have the finished print and bound thesis/es ready for collection or despatch in two working days time.

NB. Please see below for important caveats relating to the day of order and latest possible submission times:

For both services please allow an extra 24 hours if having thesis delivered within mainland UK by Royal Mail or between 1 and 3 days if by carrier.

Latest possible submission times

We can provide you with a next day (36-hours service), if you’ve left things very late or our standard (48-hours service) level. However, we only work during regular working hours (see shop opening times) so review the information below to work out the latest submission times for your chosen service level option:

Premium Service submissions

Monday – Thursday - Orders must be made before 1.30 pm in order that they are ready for despatch or collection the following day.
Friday – Orders must be made by 8.30am in order that they are ready for despatch or collection on the following Monday (or Tuesday if the Monday is a bank holiday).
Saturday & Sunday – Orders submitted on these days will be ready for despatch or collection on the following Tuesday (or Wednesday if the Monday is a bank holiday).

Standard Service submissions

Monday – Thursday - Orders must be made before 3.30 pm in order that they are ready for despatch or collection within 2 working days.
Friday – Orders must be made by 12.30pm in order that they are ready for despatch or collection within 2 working days.
Saturday & Sunday – Orders submitted on these days will be ready for despatch or collection on the following Wednesday (or Thursday if the Monday is a bank holiday).

NB. Note that these service levels can not be guaranteed by us although we make every effort to adhere to these times. No service is available between Christmas and New Year and we are not open on bank holidays or at the weekends.

Earliest possible collection times

If you are collecting your prepared Thesis/es then please review the Service level and day of submission specific information. (Information on shop location)

Premium Service collections

Monday – Friday – 36 hours after submission. Be aware of shop opening times and latest submission details above.

Standard Service collections

Monday – Friday – 48 hours after submission. Be aware of shop opening times and latest submission details above.

NB. No service is available between Christmas and New Year and we are not open on bank holidays or at the weekends.

What are the binding options?

We will sew and bind the printed pages for you either as cloth covered Hard bound books or cloth covered Soft bound books with lettering on the spine and/or front covers. You can choose which cloth colour we are to use when covering the hard bound or soft bound bindings and also what colour spine and front cover lettering you require.

Alternatively you can have the pages bound together using our Wiro bound binding facility without any spine lettering of course but with a choice of cover combinations and spine wire colours.

Hard bound
Soft bound
Wiro Bound

Are discounts available?

Whilst no discount is available on the printing charges, Wiro Bound formats or delivery costs, you will be given a 5% discount on the binding costs if ordering at least 4 or more copies of any hard bound or soft bound formats at the same time for delivery to one address.

What Extras are available?

The following extras are available with your thesis binding:

Cloth Pocket for loose inserts
Plastic Pocket for CD inserts
Plastic Corner Pockets for loose inserts

What are the delivery options and times?

Important Information on delivery options:

We can arrange to deliver to any single UK mainland address either by Royal Mail Special Delivery (guaranteed next working day) or by secure carrier within a maximum of 3 days. Most deliveries by carrier are made the next day but please make sure if using this method that there will be somebody in to receive and sign for delivery otherwise the parcel will be returned to us.
We can also despatch to Highlands and Islands or to Ireland on a 3-day basis and will be pleased to quote for deliveries overseas if requested in advance. Contact Us (info@thesisonline.co.uk)
It may be possible to arrange delivery to your university department or faculty if within London or the South East via our own delivery van. Please check with us first. Contact Us (info@thesisonline.co.uk)

Costs for packaging and delivery by the different options are shown inclusive of VAT in the Easy Calculator.

While all efforts are made to ensure your work is sent out within deadlines, the company, (Blissett Bookbinders) does not accept any responsibility whatsoever for late submissions which may be due to production issues during the print and bind process. Nor can any responsibility be taken for the loss of work in transit. Whilst all efforts are made to deliver your work accurately, our responsibility for delivery by Business Post is limited to having a signed proof of delivery which will be provided by Business Post on request. Our own drivers will also have signed paperwork and responsibility is limited to this also. No responsibility whatsoever is taken for the loss of work by normal postage. Any other loss, in the event of a successful claim against the company is limited to the cost or producing print and binding at the companies expense.

Is VAT payable?

There is no VAT payable on your thesis printing and binding as the service is currently zero rated by HM Revenue and Customs. VAT is charged on packaging and delivery charges at the standard rate.

Cover Colour Options

Important Notice

Whilst every effort has been made to reproduce these colours accurately, users should be advised that actual cover colours may vary from that displayed on your own computer monitor.

For Hard or Soft Bound Formats

View the colour grid at Blissetts main web site: Colour Grid.

Please specify cloth colour choice when ordering on the order form using the drop down menu.

For Wiro Bound Formats
Cover and Spine Wire Options: Choose between clear plastic front and back covers or clear plastic front covers with white card back cover. Spine wires are available to order in black, white, red or blue colours. Please specify when ordering on the order form using the drop down menus

Payment options

If ordering on-line then your payment details will be required when you place the order and payment will be taken from your credit or debit card before any work commences. You can pay on a Mastercard, Visa, Switch, Delta or Solo charge card by giving details on our secure encrypted payment page. Confirmation of your order and payment will be sent to you by e-mail.

You will still need to submit your payment details when ordering on-line, even if collecting your work personally.

Do I need to reserve orders in advance?

There is no need to book an appointment in advance if planning to visit our shop or to reserve an order prior to sending your order on-line. Check Shop opening Times ›

Other Services

We will print from a remote disc or storage stick if delivered or posted to us or from an attached file sent by e-mail provided the file is in PDF format. We can also provide a photocopying service if multiple copies are required from an original hardcopy or just bind from your own printed copies. Please ask us for details of current prices for photocopying and binding or binding only. Contact Us (info@thesisonline.co.uk)

Thesis Online

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