I want to print my novel, but it seems impossible!

When I am finished with my novel, I want to print it somehow, but it seems like it would be uber expensive (paper, ink, etc) just so I could have a copy of it. I know there is that CreateSpace thing, but I don't want to give them my address, and I only want one copy, not five. If I wrote 60,000 words, how much do you think it would cost to print? And how can I reduce the cost (i.e.: small font, etc)? Or, if there is some other way I can get a physical copy of my book without getting it published or giving my address.

You don't have to get five copies. It's my understanding that you only get the five copies if you actually publish through CreateSpace. You don't have to do that. And they won't do anything with your address other than send you the book.

I can't think of a single way to get a printed copy without giving out your address to someone. Even a local printer would likely ask for that.

How much the book costs depends on the type of binding, the quality of pages, whether or not you are including color images, and page count. Lulu.com has a book cost calculator.

Yes, using a smaller font size will decrease the cost because it will reduce the page count. But if you go too small you won't be able to read it.

You can keep your book private on CreateSpace or Lulu. No one can make you publish it.

Honestly, the 100% cheapest way is to do it on your home printer (unless you have a very generous friend with a printer...or a boss that's on vacation long enough for you to run off a copy of your manuscript at the work printer).

Voss

The createspace offer requires buying a proof copy of your novel anyway. I checked lulu for the price of what my novel will probably end up as, and creating a trade paperback of about 60,000 words was about £5/$10 per copy. I think it's reasonable.
Is there a reason that you're averse to giving out your address? Do you have friends or family who might be willing to let you use their address as a delivery option instead?

Lulu makes decent quality paperbacks. I have all my nanos printed through them so far. None of them are publicly listed on the lulu website, I set them up strictly to get a single copy for myself.

Only things to remember are that:

a) most of the cost of the book is in the cover and binding; I got a 50,000 word book for about $8 - $9, and a 150,000 word book for $12. Triple the words, for half again the price.

b) shipping can be absurd. Don't forget to factor the cost of shipping in when you're deciding, and pick the slowpoke delivery option. I bought one book for $8, and it was $8 shipping. Then I bought my next 2 nanos at the same time for $8 each and it was $8 shipping for the pair. Then I waited a while and bought my next 3 nanos and a prior nano 3rd draft (the 150k) and four nanos on behalf of a friend to combine packaging, and it was 7x$8 + $12 and $25 shipping for the lot ($3/book shipping is getting reasonable).

Take it to Kinko's. They will print and bind it for you and you don't have to worry about it being shipped.

I am printing mine from work as I write it. Each day I print off what I wrote before I go home. Works good.

ask for financial support for printing for your christmas present.

I would research local printing. At my work we do self publishing for a pretty low cost. There's a 75 dollar set up fee, and then around 7 cent a page for your book to be printed. The book is cut into an actual book shape, and the binding is glued. There are other local places that do the same-it depends on what you want . Volumes has various publishing packages too. You can opt for an isbn, cove design etc...

I am printing it on my own printer. So far word tells me it is around 52 pages, that will not do. I needs to be printed by February please. If I pronted at school it would cost... A lot. 10c per Black and White page... Do the maths.
If I went to one of those printing places, which are not close at all! It would end up being the same cost. I will have to print from home.

School, work, a public library... :D If you're a high school student/college student, sneakily use printers. If you have a work, print there... (However, you run the risk of being banned from the printer...) or you could pay for printing at a public library, just see how much it costs first! And fix margin sizes and font size so you can print it at once. or just little by little normal font... :D

I never print. Not any more. Save the trees and all that. Mine go straight to ebooks. lol.

(yes, I used to print whole novels years ago. what a waste. lol)

I just posted the quotes I received in printing at various office supply stores in the USA.

I don't want to copy paste it here and spam the same comment, so you can read it here:
http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/all-ages-coffee-house/threads/35992

Start a degee course and use the laser printer in your department - our's was free cause they know we're cool dudes ;)

Thanks so much guys. Whoever said this, I am a teenager who doesn't want anyone to know that I am writing or printing my novel. I think I will opt for the slowly printing it at home idea. :)

You could always have it sent somewhere else? A friend's house? PO Box?

http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/news/20-top-print-on-demand-services/

I donno if I got this link on this site? Have it in my fav's anyway...

My book involves all my friends as charachters, so I'm planing to give them proper novel format copies when I'm done ;)

Impress their pants off!!!! :D

(not literally... that'd be pervy)