Printstar takes a phased approach to publishing that includes numerous steps. While almost all of these steps overlap at some point, it is helpful to present an ordinal view of some of the processes involved in producing a professionally managed publication:

Manuscript review and comment

Designer meeting(s) for cover and interior

Editor meeting(s)

Editing

Initial design approval

Editing review

Design and illustration review

Initial layout

First round of approvals and modifications

Second round of approvals and modifications

Third round of approvals and modifications

Final proofing

Sign off on designer proofs

Sign off on printer proofs

This is a simplified list of some of the highlights of the publication process. Behind the scenes it is also necessary to manage the nuts and bolts of the publication process, be it registrations and copyrights, or issues of taxation and distribution.

The entire process typically takes six to nine months. This may seem like a long time; however, it is not uncommon for a royalty publisher to take one to two years to bring a manuscript to market. With Printstar the publication process can be a great deal of fun; it is a time for creative ingenuity and an accelerated learning curve that can eliminate years of DIY frustration. As long as the author has a realistic expectation of the timing involved and an implicit understanding that an enduring product requires careful development, the process is a joy!