The following things require checking before an order is submitted:
Check
your margins. Make sure that when you print or photocopy
your text and any tables, graphs, maps, and illustrations they
fall within the margins specified by the university These are
usually recommended to be a minimum
of 40mm on the left and a minimum
of 15mm on the other three sides. The
page numbers look best when positioned consistently and within the
margins.
Check
your pages.After printing or photocopying check your
pages are all present, in the correct order and the right way up.
Simple errors often occur at this final assembly stage. Ask a friend/colleague to check the text.
This is a worthwhile exercise as a fresh set of eyes often spots problems quickly. We expect
customers to bring their
pages ready for binding and to have printed a full set of pages
for each of the copies they require. If
an error is discovered we will try to rectify it but will contact
you if this cannot be done. If you are sending your thesis or
dissertation as a pdf file please open it after conversion from
WORD or other word processing program and check it before
emailing. Some elements may not be converted correctly (this is
rare but it does happen) and by quickly checking you will avoid
delays in processing your work.
Check
Spelling and Grammar. We often find that it is the pages produced at the
end of the writing up, such as title page; acknowledgments and
abstract, which have obvious errors
in them. Spell check them too!
Folding
Pages. If you need to include folding pages, i.e. larger
than A4, please bring them unfolded and let us fold them as we
carry out the binding. This ensures they are incorporated
correctly. We usually Z fold pages larger than A4.
Appendix
pages. To fit the content of appendix pages to A4 format
within the margins specified by the university where the originals
do not have an adequate margin try reducing them on a photocopier by 10 to
15%.
Maximum Number of Pages
If your thesis exceeds 500 pages in length it may have to be
presented in two volumes. Where theses have many illustrations
their presentation in a separate volume can make the reader's task
much simpler.
Mounted
photographs. Rarely required these days
but: these can prove to be a problem for the
binder. They make the volume uneven in thickness and require
the spine to be packed in order to compensate. This takes longer so the cost is increased.
Mounted photographs are becoming less common now photo quality
printers are much cheaper. If the images can be incorporated into
the pages electronically this produces a much more satisfactory
result.
Cover
colours.Different institutions use different colours
as a standard. The code number for the correct colour should
be discovered before making an order.
The codes can be seen here on the appropriate colours.
