Question 1

Which way of working with you suits my business?

Accepted Answer

If your website or app creates print-ready PDF files for each order, connect to our Print API: open a free account, test in the sandbox, and orders flow straight into production, one at a time or thousands a day. For a one-off job or a short run (for example a launch batch of canvases or boxed card sets), get in touch and we’ll quote it directly.

Question 2

We’re a start-up and haven’t launched yet. Is that OK?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many of our partners came to us before launch. Opening an account costs nothing, there’s no minimum order quantity, and you can build and test your integration against the sandbox before you sell anything. Order samples to lock in your product specification, then go live when you’re ready.

Question 3

Do I need a developer to work with you?

Accepted Answer

For the Print API, yes. Your system needs to create print-ready files and send each order to us as JSON over HTTPS. If your platform can call a web API, it can place a print order. The full documentation is public, so your developer can check the work involved before you sign up. If you already use Printbox or HP SiteFlow, we can connect through those instead. If you don’t have development help yet, talk to us: we can introduce you to developers who have built integrations for our partners.

Question 4

Who will I be dealing with?

Accepted Answer

A real person in Melbourne. Every partner has a dedicated account contact who knows your products and setup. We’re happy to get on a phone, Zoom or Teams call (we regularly work with partners in the UK and US time zones), and you’re welcome to visit our production facility in Reservoir.

Question 5

What can you produce?

Accepted Answer

Books are our core: casebound hardcovers, softcovers, lay-flat photobooks, PUR-bound, perfect-bound and saddle-stitched books, including children’s storybooks, colouring books, yearbooks, journals and novels. We also produce greeting cards, notecards and stationery, flashcards, calendars, photo prints, canvas prints (stretched and ready to hang), wide-format graphics and photo gifts, plus embroidery, UV flatbed printing and laser engraving.

Question 6

What sizes and page counts can you do?

Accepted Answer

We offer a wide range of book sizes, including square formats (such as 20–21 cm and 30 cm), A4 and A3, in both standard and lay-flat binding. Custom page counts are no problem, for example 24, 32, 64 or 96 pages, depending on the binding and paper you choose. The full list of products, sizes and page rules is in the catalogue in your account, where every product is priced on your own price list.

Question 7

Can I use my own cover and spine design?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Hardcover and softcover books are printed with your own fully customised front cover, spine and back cover. You can also personalise every copy, with a different name, photos or artwork in each book.

Question 8

Which paper do you recommend?

Accepted Answer

As a guide: photobooks work best on a 170–200 gsm matt or silk photographic stock, which feels premium but still turns easily. Colouring books suit a 120–150 gsm uncoated stock, which takes pencils, crayons and markers well; the heavier end reduces show-through. Our house stock for flyers and brochures is 150 or 170 gsm gloss or silk. Cards and stationery are usually 300 gsm or heavier, including textured and premium stocks (felt, linen, eggshell and smooth). Tell us how the product will be used and we’ll recommend a stock, then print samples so you can compare options side by side.

Question 9

Can I supply my own paper?

Accepted Answer

We prefer to buy stock from our own suppliers, such as Spicers and Ball & Doggett. That keeps production moving: if there’s ever a problem, we can replace the stock the same day instead of waiting for yours. Tell us the brand and stock you want and we’ll source it, including specialty and textured papers, as long as it’s certified for our HP Indigo presses.

Question 10

What finishing and packaging options are there?

Accepted Answer

Matt or gloss lamination, rounded corners, trimming, collation into sets (for example 50, 100 or 200-card packs), inserts, and packing into boxes, envelopes, cello bags or belly bands. We can source envelopes and packaging for you, or you can supply your own.

Question 11

Can I order a sample or physical proof first?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and we recommend it. You can order a single copy as a physical proof before committing to a specification, and we can print the same artwork on several papers so you can compare them. Samples are charged at normal pricing plus freight, and we also send samples overseas. Before an API partner goes live, we ask for a test order for every product you plan to sell, so each one runs through the full workflow first.

Question 12

What do you need from me to make a sample?

Accepted Answer

Print-ready PDF files and your product specification (size, paper, binding and finish). If you’re not sure about the specification, send us what you have and we’ll recommend one. You can also collect samples from our facility in Reservoir, Melbourne.

Question 13

Do you have sample books I can look at?

Accepted Answer

We have a limited number of sample books printed with stock photography. Tell us the type, size and finish you’re interested in and we’ll see what we can send. Or visit us in Reservoir and see the full range in person.

Question 14

What file format do you need?

Accepted Answer

Print-ready PDFs, generated by your system for each order. For books, the inside pages and the cover are supplied as separate files. Through the API, you send a link to each file and we download it when production starts. The exact layout depends on the product: single pages or spreads, cover size, bleed and spine width vary with the binding. Once you’ve chosen your products, we’ll give you the specification for each one.

Question 15

How do I work out bleed, spine width and cover size?

Accepted Answer

Use our free Book Artwork Size Calculator: choose the binding, size, page count and paper to get exact page, cover and spine dimensions, then drop in your PDF to check it. Partners can save specs to their account. As a rule of thumb, a hardcover cover is one flat piece of artwork (back cover, spine and front cover) with a wrap allowance of around 20 mm on each outer edge, which folds around the boards. Keep text and logos at least 6–8 mm away from the spine folds and wrap edges.

Question 16

What image resolution and colour should I use?

Accepted Answer

Aim for 300 dpi at the printed size. Low-resolution photos, noisy images and colour differences caused by uncalibrated screens are the most common reasons a print looks different from expectations. Printed colour can vary slightly within normal industry tolerances.

Question 17

Do you check my files?

Accepted Answer

Files are checked automatically for format and production readiness, and our prepress team is available to help during setup. Please check your own content (spelling, cropping and layout) carefully: we print what we receive, and errors in supplied artwork aren’t covered by reprints.

Question 18

How do orders get to you?

Accepted Answer

Through our REST API. Each order is a single request containing the products, your customer’s delivery address and links to the print-ready files. We also accept orders through HP SiteFlow and Printbox.

Question 19

Can I test before going live?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When you sign up and save a card (it isn’t charged until we produce something for you), you receive sandbox credentials. Sandbox orders are fully checked but never printed or billed. Live credentials follow once your account is approved.

Question 20

Does it work with Shopify, WooCommerce or my own app?

Accepted Answer

Yes, through the API. We don’t have a one-click Shopify app yet, so stores usually connect through a personalisation or order-routing app, or a small piece of custom code, that sends each paid order to us. If you need help, we can introduce you to developers who have built these integrations for our partners.

Question 21

Can I upload orders by CSV or SFTP instead?

Accepted Answer

For businesses sending orders every day, we recommend the API because it’s fully automated and scales without extra work. If an API isn’t realistic for you yet, talk to us about your volumes.

Question 22

Can I send a batch of different files at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each order line has its own file, so 10 or 50 unique books can be submitted together, and shipped individually or in one box to you.

Question 23

Can my system receive order status and tracking automatically?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your system can check the API for orders that have changed, and tracking numbers are included once an order is dispatched, so you can update your customers automatically. Your partner portal also shows every order, its status and tracking, and a log of the API requests you’ve sent, which helps with troubleshooting.

Question 24

Can you print and ship single orders?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our production is built for print on demand: one unique item per order is normal, as are small orders of one to three copies (for example, one for the family and one for the grandparents).

Question 25

Do you ship directly to my customers without your branding?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Orders ship straight to your customer on a blind basis, with no iPress or PhotobookShop branding on the product or parcel. You can choose no sender details or your own company name as the sender. Branded packaging and inserts can also be arranged.

Question 26

How long does production take?

Accepted Answer

Our standard production lead time is 3–5 business days from when we receive the order, plus delivery time. We process orders Monday to Friday in Melbourne. Peak periods such as the lead-up to Christmas can take longer, so plan ahead and let us know about big campaigns.

Question 27

Where do you ship, and what does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Anywhere in Australia with Australia Post (Parcel Post or Express Post), and to New Zealand and the rest of the world with Australia Post International (Standard or Express). Delivery is charged at the carrier rate for the parcel’s weight and destination. Your account includes a shipping calculator and downloadable rate cards (PDF and CSV) showing your exact prices, so you can build them into your checkout.

Question 28

Can I collect orders instead?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you’re in Melbourne, you can collect from our facility at 43 Lakeside Avenue, Reservoir, which saves on freight. Please arrange a time with us first.

Question 29

Can you store my stock and ship it with orders?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can warehouse standard products (such as pre-printed card sets or packaging) and pick, pack and ship them on their own or together with personalised items.

Question 30

What if something arrives damaged or faulty?

Accepted Answer

Send us a photo. If the fault is ours, we reprint and reship at our cost. Problems caused by the supplied artwork (low-resolution images, spelling errors or layout) or by an incorrect address aren’t covered.

Question 31

Where can I see your trade pricing?

Accepted Answer

In the partner portal. Create a free account and the catalogue shows every product at your price, including the base price, what each option adds and the total for a configured item. There’s no quote to wait for.

Question 32

Is the price the same for 1 book as for 500?

Accepted Answer

Our prices are set for print on demand, so there’s no penalty for ordering one item. Your price per item is the same whether you send one order a month or 500. As your spend grows, your account moves up our pricing tiers automatically, based on your rolling 90-day spend. For bulk runs of one design, ask us for quantity pricing.

Question 33

Do your prices include GST?

Accepted Answer

Prices are shown in Australian dollars, excluding GST. We add 10% GST to orders delivered in Australia; GST doesn’t apply to orders shipped overseas.

Question 34

Are there setup fees or minimum orders?

Accepted Answer

Opening an account is free, with no subscription and no minimum order quantity. You pay for the items we produce and their delivery. If you want bespoke work, such as custom-branded packaging or help with an unusual integration, we’ll quote it up front.

Question 35

How do I pay?

Accepted Answer

You save a card securely with Stripe when you sign up (we never see the card number). We invoice weekly for items dispatched that week and charge the card automatically, with a tax invoice and a line-by-line CSV emailed to you. Other payment terms can be arranged for established accounts.

Question 36

What happens to my customers’ photos and files?

Accepted Answer

We use them only to produce and deliver your orders. Personal information is handled under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, and in line with your own privacy policy. It is never passed to third parties without your consent. We can agree a retention and deletion period that matches your privacy policy, and on termination we return or securely destroy your data.

Question 37

Is there a contract?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You accept our standard Fulfilment Services Agreement when you sign up. It covers service levels, quality, reprints, privacy and billing. You can read it in full during signup before you accept.

Question 38

Who owns my designs?

Accepted Answer

You do. Each party keeps ownership of its own intellectual property. We use your artwork only to produce your orders.

Before you
start.

Which option suits you?

Your system creates print-ready PDFs

You need a one-off or short run

Is iPress right for me?

Products, paper and finishing

Samples and proofs

Files and artwork

Ordering and integration

Fulfilment, shipping and turnaround

Pricing and billing

Privacy and agreements

Let's Get
Started

Send us a message

Call us directly

Email us

What happens next?

Before youstart.