Because a quote without a diagnosis is just a number—and it might be a number for the wrong book. We've seen authors get quotes for the wrong binding, the wrong paper, and the wrong quantity, then spend $8,000 printing a book that doesn't hold up to shipping, doesn't fit their distribution plan, or costs twice what it should. A quote tells you what something costs. A diagnostic tells you whether it's the right thing to print in the first place. The diagnostic evaluates your specifications, budget, timeline, and goals together—and gives you a clear verdict on whether your project is ready to move forward, what risks you're carrying, and what to change before you commit money. That's the information you actually need before a quote means anything. And if you proceed with Origin Books for production, the full $395 is credited toward your project. You're only paying for the diagnostic if you walk away—and even then, you're walking away with a professional spec document and risk analysis that could save you thousands with any printer you choose.

Printers give you a price. We give you a verdict. A printer will quote whatever you ask for—even if what you're asking for is wrong. They'll quote you perfect binding on a 48-page book that should be saddle-stitched. They'll quote 80# gloss text for a novel that should be on uncoated stock. They'll quote 5,000 copies when your realistic sales projection is 300. That's not the printer's fault. Their job is to print what you spec. Our job is to make sure the spec is right. The Origin Books diagnostic reviews your entire project—format, binding, paper, quantity, budget, timeline, and distribution plan—and tells you what to print, how to print it, and whether your budget can support it. No commercial printer offers that, because their business model depends on running the job, not questioning the job. Think of it this way: you wouldn't skip the architect and go straight to the contractor. The diagnostic is your blueprint.

It's not just a report—it's the least expensive insurance policy in the entire publishing process. The average book production mistake costs $2,000–$8,000 to fix after printing. Covers that crack at the spine. Pages that show through because the paper stock is too thin. Binding that fails in transit. Color that prints muddy because the files weren't prepped for the right color space. These aren't rare problems—they're common ones, and they're almost always the result of decisions made before printing. The diagnostic catches those decisions while they can still be changed, and gives you a clear, written analysis of your project's readiness, risks, and recommended specifications. You get a professional document you can hand to any printer and know the specs are right. For context, $395 is less than 10% of what most authors spend on their book—and it's the only part of the process specifically designed to make sure the other 90% isn't wasted. If you proceed with Origin Books for production, the full amount is credited toward your project.

If you know your specs, great—the diagnostic will confirm them quickly, and you'll walk away with a professional specification document you can hand directly to any printer with confidence. But here's what we've found: most people who say they know what they want discover two or three things they hadn't considered. A trim size that's adding 40% to their per-unit cost versus the nearest standard size. A binding method that won't survive their planned shipping method. A paper weight that causes show-through with their interior ink coverage. A quantity that doesn't hit the price break that would change their entire unit economics. That's not a failure—it's exactly what the diagnostic is for. Even experienced publishers and designers find value in having an independent set of eyes review the full picture before money is committed. Printing is the last irreversible step in the process, and the diagnostic is the last chance to make sure every decision upstream was the right one.

Then it just saved you thousands of dollars. Not every book is ready to print, and not every book should print in the format or quantity the author originally envisioned. Sometimes the manuscript needs another editing pass. Sometimes the budget doesn't support hardcover but would produce a beautiful softcover. Sometimes the right move is to print 200 copies instead of 1,000 and test the market first. A "Hold" or "Go with Conditions" verdict isn't a rejection—it's a road map. The diagnostic report tells you exactly what needs to change and what it would take to get your project to a confident "Go." Many of our best production engagements started with a diagnostic that said "not yet," followed by a client who came back eight weeks later with a stronger project. Our willingness to say "don't print yet" is what makes the "Go" verdict worth trusting.

Your diagnostic fee is credited 100% toward your production engagement—so the diagnostic effectively costs you nothing. Once you receive your report and decide to move forward, we transition you into either production management or print brokerage, depending on your project's needs. The spec work from the diagnostic carries over directly—we don't start from scratch. Your report becomes the foundation for printer quoting, file preparation, and production scheduling. For most clients, the next step after the diagnostic is a production management engagement where we handle everything from final file prep through delivery: soliciting printer bids, managing the production timeline, performing quality checks, and coordinating shipping. You get the quality and pricing of working with commercial printers, with a single point of contact who understands your project from the inside. If you want even more hands-on planning before committing, the $1,250 Production Blueprint includes a 60-minute strategy call, complete print specifications, 2–3 competitive printer bids, and a full production timeline—all credited toward your project if you proceed.