This section aims to answer the questions most frequently asked of FinePrint.
If this page does not answer your question, please e-mail info@fine-print.com.au
- How do I contact FinePrint?
- What software is used?
- How long does it take to typeset a piece?
- How much does it cost to get a piece typeset?
- How do FinePrint's rates compare
to other typesetters' rates?
- What type and size of paper is used?
- What music fonts are available?
- Does FinePrint do tablature?
- Can you incorporate my non-standard, unusual or complex
elements into the final product?
- What does FinePrint require
to start?
- How does the manuscript come to FinePrint?
- Can I see a sample page before?
- What happens after I receive a draft?
- Is there a limit to the number of times I can resubmit
drafts?
- Can I get just performance parts completed?
- What are the final format possibilities?
- When will my score be ready?
- When do I have to pay?
- Do I know before how much it will cost?
- What are my payment options?
- But FinePrint is so far away!
- Why should I bother getting my music published?
- Can FinePrint mass publish
and distribute my score?
- Final suggestions to ensure fastest and most accurate
completion of your piece
- How do I contact FinePrint?
Most easily by e-mailing info@fine-print.com.au.
Should you which to speak with a particular representative, you can contact
them via e-mail, or call +61 (0)402 84 85 31 (within Australia),
or +49 (0)761 290 9276 (within Germany).
The postal addresses for submission of scores are:
|
Rehlingstr. 6B |
11 Lawnton Street Daisy Hill, QLD 4127 Australia |
- What software
is used?
FinePrint's primary software resource is FinaleTM, and when requested, SibeliusTM, both in their most recently released versions. These programs are considered as the industry standards for most of the major publishing houses.
- How long does it take to typeset a piece?
Of course this is determined by exactly what you submit. Elements
which come into play are:
- The length of the score
- The size of the score
- The complexity/content of the score
- The legibility of the manuscript or the copy
We can advise of a projected timeframe prior to commencement.
- How much does it cost to get a piece typeset?
Once again, this is determined by exactly what you submit; some of the factors for consideration are listed directly above.FinePrint prefers to work by our very reasonable hourly rate, however, a per page rate will be made available if it is more cost effective for the client. Please enquire for more details.
- How do FinePrint's rates compare to other typesetters' rates?
After extensive market research throughout Europe, Australia and the US, FinePrint's rates are not beaten, especially our hourly rate where in comparison, most typesetter's rates are more than double, if not more! If you find cheaper rates, let us know, preferably with an example of the finished product provided for that rate and quote, and we'll see what we can do about beating them!- What type and size of paper is used?
For drafts, we generally use A4 or A3 of standard weighting at 600 or 1200dpi. The completed project is printed at 1200x1200dpi, and to your requirements, which could include archival quality paper, paper of various weights, colours, sizes (upto A3), and in various formats– whatever your requirement! If you require multiple copies, collating and binding (in various forms) or have other requests, simply ask! All output is via laser printer.For projects of high volume, offset printing is also possible.
- What music fonts are available?
We use a wide range of music fonts, and are able to create new symbols and characters if needed. If you have specific requirements, or would like your score to resemble a professionally hand-notated score (as often seen in jazz/big band scores), simply let us know. Our Examples page has samples of some of the options available.- Does FinePrint do tablature?
Yes, please enquire when submitting a project to us.- Can you incorporate my non-standard, unusual or complex elements into the final product?
Yes, please enquire with details and requirements when submitting a project to us.- What does FinePrint require to start?
Initially when we receive your enquiry, we either discuss your project with you personally, or ask you to fill in our questionnaire about the project. Sending us a copy of the score also enables us to provide a more accurate price and completion date estimation. If required, FinePrint will provide, one (or two) representative page(s) before fully commencing the project, to check individual requirements and to assist us with price estimations. When appropriate, FinePrint will then set the entire work, sending you a printout and perhaps a list of questions that arose along the way. As issues arise, we may contact you personally for clarification via telephone or email. In the case of large projects, once the first draft is received, we ask for 50% of the projected project cost, or the cost per hourly rate incurred to that point.- How does the manuscript come to FinePrint?
Normally via traditional postal mail; PDF and pre-existing computer files through email, or via upload to our FTP server (email us for login and password details), or fax if it will be suitably legible. Please ensure that you have made backup copies (particularly in the case of hard copy scores) before sending them.- Can I see a sample page before you start?
Yes, of course. You can look at our examples page , and PDF files are also available for download. If you want a sample page of the score you wish to submit, we can set one to two pages as an example and cost calculation guide for you - no problem.- What happens after I receive a draft?
You will receive your draft along with a comments sheet, which in some cases, will have already been discussed through other means. Preferably in red, please make all the necessary corrections of typesetting errors, which will gladly be corrected free of charge. Please note however, that corrections simply mean corrections - rewriting, reorchestrating, changes of mind and the like do not constitute editing. These such changes will be charged for at our hourly rate.Upon completing corrections/alterations in the draft, you are required to sign the form received with the draft. This provides a record that corrections are authenticated and complete, and also serves to satisfy copyright requirements. Please note that copyright is the responsibility of the client.
Upon receipt of your proofed score by FinePrint, we again work through the piece and complete alterations. If required, we can also extract parts at this stage. You can continue to resubmit your score until satisfied. Alterations will be completed at the hourly rate.
- Is there a limit to the number of times I can resubmit drafts?
No, there is no limit. Please resubmit until you are completely satisfied with what you see.- Can I get just performance parts completed?
Yes. This is not unusual, especially for the purpose of first performances. Australian composers - be aware that funding is available to subsidize or reimburse the cost of the copying of performance parts. This scheme is administered by the Australian Music Centre, with funds from the Australia Council and the Australian Performing Right Association (APRA). We can direct you to the appropriate sources if necessary.- What are the final format possibilities?
In hard copy format, you can choose to have your work presented on:- standard paper
- archival quality paper
- various paper weightings, colours and sizes
- bound copies (saddle stiched - stapled, wire, plastic)
and many other styles. Simply indicate your preference, or FinePrint can advise on suitability.
In digital format, FinePrint can also produce
- PDF files, so that you can
distribute your work electronically
- Various image and file formats
- CD-ROM's, as archives of
digitised scores or complete interactive presentations with sound, image,
video, text and score
- Complete publications ready
for print/press
- When will my score be ready?
FinePrint will of course endeavour to get every score to you as soon as possible. As a rough guide, smaller projects may be completed in as little as a few days, while full orchestral scores can rarely be completed in less than a month. Just ask us for a timeframe estimate.- When do I have to pay?
FinePrint asks that the balance is paid to that point upon receipt of each draft or final copy.- Do I know before how much it will cost?
To ensure you get the best possible value, FinePrint initially sets one to two pages of your score, to calculate approximate costs. We ask that you please send ‘typical’ pages of your score, including an example of any including modern notation/extended techniques/graphics if necessary. We will provide you with an approximation of cost and time to complete your score.However, in the end you pay ONLY for the actual product and time, unlike others who quote a maximum, fixed price.
- What are my payment options?
For Australian payments, we can accept Cash, Australian Cheques, Money Orders or a Direct Bank Transfer. For America, Europe and other countries, we ask you to pay through Bank Transfer, or International Cheque.Cheques are payable to FinePrint.
For bank transfers, our details are below:
Account Name: FinePrint
Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Branch: 25-29 Fitzgerald Avenue, Springwood, Queensland 4127, Australia
BSB Number: 06 4170
Account Number: 1021 8277
If payment is via national or international bank transfer, or International Cheque, we ask that you also fax, scan and email or upload, a copy of the completed documents to us. They can be emailed to info@fine-print.com.au (or to your particular FinePrint consultant), or faxed to +61 7 3208 4425. This is to ensure that your score can be sent to you without unnecessary delay.
- But FinePrint is so far away!
We very often hear from international customers for whom neither Australia nor Germany is their home/residential country. We literally have both sides of the globe covered, so European customers can work through Germany, and Australasian customers through Australia. Other customers – contact us, and we'll direct you to the fastest possibility to get your score finished. We can create PDF files for you, which can be downloaded from our website or sent via email immediately upon completion, eliminating postage time. With international postage, manuscript scores usually reach within a week, from all over the globe. Through email/telephone, we can clarify most editing issues, with minimal cost and no loss of time. Returning your final score via international express post has rarely taken more than a week.- Why should I bother getting my music published, and with FinePrint?
In today's age of computer accessibility, you can rarely be taken seriously
presenting a handwritten job application or important letter; similar
circumstances apply in the music industry. Having your music typeset
will not only help your music to be taken more seriously, but will be
treated more professionally, as hours of rehearsal time can be saved by
not having to answer questions like “is that an F or an F#?” “I
can't read what I'm supposed to play in bar 27” and similar questions.
If you have spent such a long time creating your work, why not have it
performed to the best possible standard?
If the work has parts, we can simply create parts for the ensemble through
extraction from the full score. This saves you time and the tedious process
of writing out the parts for each player. Once typeset, you also
have the possibility of making your music available electronically, through
various internet sites, to publishers, and to your friends, colleagues
and fellow musicians.
The FinePrint team of music typesetters, proofreaders and editors are all professionally trained, postgraduate degree-qualified musicians. As composers, performing musicians and educators ourselves, we understand what is required to make a score 'work'. We are able to prepare scores to levels acceptable to major publishing houses, and can tailor the appearance of your score to meet specific publisher requirements. Even though more musicians are becoming familiar with the standard software packages, the default output from these programs is rarely publishable - we are able to give scores a publishable face.
- Can FinePrint mass print and publish my score?
This will depend on a case by case basis.FinePrint can provide a wide range of related services, from allocating an ISMN and/or ISBN identifier, to cover design and page layout, proofing, to offset printing and shipping. If you think this may be appropriate for you, please talk to us.
On a smaller scale, FinePrint is happy to provide you with multiple copies of your score. Simply enquire about numbers and we will provide you with a quote.
- Final suggestions to ensure fastest and most accurate completion of your piece
Know what you want before starting the project, and submit 'final' versions of your score to start with; changes of mind and extra alterations take time and therefore cost money.For your own compositions, take extra space when writing – if the score is clear to start with, FinePrint will be able to complete your score faster, therefore making the process cheaper.
Any other questions or queries? Just send FinePrint a message. We will do our best to answer your questions!
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It may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
FinePrint reserves the right to interpret
and change without notice all content on this site as it sees fit.