Page 144 - How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper, 8th Edition 8th Edition
P. 144
Page 158
Page 158
Chapter 24
How to Order and Use Reprints
Most authors will purchase between 100 and 300 copies of reprints for each article they publish, for "professional self-advertising" for
distribution to their colleagues upon demand.
—John K. Crum
How to Order Reprints
Reprints are to some degree a vanity item. "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes I, 2; XII, 8). Having said
that, I will now give a few words of advice on how to buy reprints and use them, because I know you will. Everybody
does. It is a rare author indeed who does not want to order reprints.
The "how to order" is usually easy. A reprint order blank is customarily sent with the proofs. In fact, this custom is so
universal that you should call or write the journal office if the reprint order form does not arrive with the proofs,
because the omission was probably inadvertent.
Reprint Manufacturing Systems
Some journals still manufacture reprints (offprints) by the "run with journal" process. (The reprints are printed as an
overrun while the journal itself is being printed.) If that process is used, it is important that you get your order in early.
Return the order form, with the proof if so directed, at an early time, rather than waiting for an official purchase
Page 159
order to grind through your institution's mills. Try to get a purchase order number even though there might be delay in
getting the purchase order itself.
Some journal reprints are now manufactured on small offset presses, in a process essentially unrelated to the
manufacture of the journal. In recent years, the cost of paper has increased tremendously; the wastage of paper
inherent in the "run with journal" system has made that system economically unsound.
The newer system has one huge advantage: Reprints of your paper can be produced at any time in any number.
Therefore, if you publish in such a journal, you need never worry about running out of reprints.
How Many to Order
Even though you may be able to reorder later, it is wise to overorder in the first instance. Most journals charge a
substantial price for the first 100 reprints, to cover the setup and processing costs. The second 100 is usually very
much cheaper, the modest increase in price reflecting only the cost of additional paper and press time. Therefore, if
you think you may need about 100 reprints, order 200; if you might need 200, order 300. The price differential is so
slight that it would be foolish not to err on the high side. The price list shown in Table 11 is typical of many.
Table 11. Reprint price list: Journal of Bacteriology
Number of copies
Pages 100 200 300 400 500 Additional
100's
4 $128 $142 $154 $166 $178 $17
file:///C|/...0208%20Books%20(part%201%20of%203)/How%20to%20write%20&%20publish%20scientific%20paper/24.htm[4/27/2009 1:17:06 PM]
