Frequently Asked Questions

What is HardCopy?

HardCopy transforms your digital PDF manuals into professionally bound physical manuals using lay flat coil binding. Perfect for technical documentation, user manuals, reference guides, and any important documentation that needs to stay open while you work.

How does it work?

Our streamlined process is simple:

1. Upload: Drop your PDF file - we automatically detect the best size from 4 standard options
2. Professional Printing: Our professional print partners create your lay flat manual with premium coil binding
3. Fast Delivery: Your bound manual arrives at your door in 3-5 business days

Who is this for?

Perfect for technicians who need hands-free reference materials, equipment owners with digital manuals, professionals working with step-by-step procedures, and anyone who prefers physical documentation that lays completely flat.

Why coil binding instead of perfect binding?

Coil binding (spiral binding) allows your manual to lay completely flat when open, making it perfect for reference work. Unlike perfect bound books that fight to close, coil bound manuals stay open to any page, giving you hands-free access to instructions while you work.

What file types do you accept?

We accept PDF files only. Your PDF should be the complete manual you want printed and bound with lay flat coil binding.

What are the file size and page limits?

• Maximum file size: 50MB
• Minimum pages: 2 pages (single pages can't be properly bound)
• Maximum pages: 500 pages
• Recommended: 10-300 pages for optimal lay flat binding

What sizes are available?

We offer 4 popular standard sizes that cover most manual needs:

• Letter (8.5×11"): Standard US size, great for technical manuals
• Trade (6×9"): Compact size, perfect for portable reference guides
• A4: International standard size
• Digest (5×8"): Pocket-sized for field work

We automatically detect the best size based on your PDF dimensions.

Do you accept scanned documents?

Yes! As long as your scanned manual is saved as a PDF and meets our size requirements, we can print it with lay flat binding. For best results, scan at 300 DPI or higher.

What binding options are available?

We specialize exclusively in professional coil binding (also called spiral binding). This creates a lay flat manual that:

• Opens completely flat to any page
• Stays open hands-free while you work
• Allows 360-degree page rotation
• Provides durable, long-lasting binding
• Perfect for reference materials and step-by-step guides

What's the print quality like?

Professional commercial printing quality through our trusted print partners:

• 300+ DPI resolution for crisp text and images
• Professional grade paper and binding materials
• Color accuracy optimization
• Premium coil binding for maximum durability

Do you offer color or black & white printing?

Yes! During upload you can choose:

• Black & White: Cost-effective for text-based manuals
• Full Color: Perfect for manuals with diagrams, photos, or colored elements

How does tier-based pricing work?

Our transparent pricing system uses 5 fixed tiers based on page count:

• Tier 1: 2-25 pages
• Tier 2: 26-75 pages
• Tier 3: 76-150 pages
• Tier 4: 151-300 pages
• Tier 5: 301-500 pages

You pay one fixed price per tier regardless of exact page count. If your manual has 30 pages, you pay the Tier 2 price whether it's 26 pages or 75 pages.

Why tier pricing instead of per-page pricing?

Tier pricing provides:

• Predictable costs: No surprises, you know the exact price upfront
• Better value: Often cheaper than per-page pricing
• Simplified ordering: No complex calculations needed
• Professional printing economies: Allows us to partner with professional printers for better quality

Can I order multiple copies of the same manual?

Each upload creates one bound manual. For multiple copies, simply upload your file multiple times or contact us for bulk pricing on larger orders.

How long does delivery take?

3-5 business days total from order to your door:

• 1-2 days: Processing and professional printing
• 2-3 days: Shipping via professional print partners

Where do you ship?

Currently shipping within the United States only. Our professional print partner network ensures fast, reliable delivery nationwide.

How is my manual packaged?

Your lay flat manual is carefully packaged in protective materials by our professional print partners to ensure it arrives in perfect condition. We use sturdy mailers designed specifically for bound documents.

Is my uploaded file secure?

Absolutely. Your files are:

• Encrypted during upload and storage
• Automatically deleted after fulfillment
• Never shared with third parties
• Processed only for your specific lay flat manual order

Can I upload copyrighted material?

You're responsible for ensuring you have the right to print any uploaded content. Our service is designed for personal use items like equipment manuals you own, technical documentation, and materials you have printing rights for.

Am I allowed to print copyrighted PDF manuals?

Great question! The good news is that many situations are perfectly fine. You can typically print copyrighted manuals when:

• You own the equipment: Most equipment manuals can be printed for personal use with the equipment you own
• Personal/private use: Many manuals fall under fair use when printed for your own reference
• Replacement copies: Printing a manual to replace a lost or damaged original you legitimately owned
• Workplace documentation: Technical manuals for equipment your business owns and operates

The simple rule: If you legitimately use or own the equipment/software, you can usually print its manual for your own reference. When in doubt, you're always welcome to contact the original publisher for permission - most are happy to allow personal printing!

Remember: You confirm you have printing rights during upload, so you're covered for legitimate personal and professional use.

My PDF upload failed. What should I do?

Common solutions:

• Check file size is under 50MB
• Ensure it's a valid PDF file
• Try saving/exporting your PDF again
• Contact us if the problem persists

What if my manual doesn't look right in the preview?

Contact us immediately! We review every order before printing and can make adjustments or provide a full refund if needed.

Can you fix formatting issues in my PDF?

We print exactly what you upload to ensure accuracy. For best lay flat manual results, ensure your PDF is properly formatted before uploading. We can provide guidance on common formatting best practices.

What if I'm not satisfied with my lay flat manual?

We offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee:

• Quality issues: We'll reprint for free
• Shipping damage: Full replacement at no cost
• Not what you expected: Full refund within 30 days

What constitutes a quality issue?

• Poor print quality or blurry text
• Coil binding defects or pages falling out
• Incorrect page count or missing pages
• Manual doesn't lay flat properly
• Damage during manufacturing or shipping

How can I contact support?

We're here to help you create the perfect lay flat manual:

• Response time: Within 24 hours
• Support: Real people who understand manual printing