Printing and binding your dissertation or thesis in Paris
Independent guide, updated on . Practices vary from one workshop to another: have your printer confirm the values.
A dissertation or thesis is printed and bound in a copy shop or a digital print shop. In Paris, many workshops do it in a few hours, especially near the universities. Here are the steps to arrive with a ready file and avoid unpleasant surprises on submission day.
1. Preparing the file
- A single PDF, pages in order, including the cover if it is printed with the inside pages.
- Fonts embedded when exporting, so that the layout does not move.
- An even page count if you print double-sided: add a blank page if needed. The page count calculator shows how many pages to add depending on the binding.
- Inside margins of at least 2 cm on the binding side, so that the text does not disappear into the spine.
The guide Preparing your file details the checks to make before printing.
2. Choosing the binding
| Binding | Look | Strengths | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect binding (glued square spine) | Paperback book | Neat look, title on the spine possible | Calculate the spine width; does not open flat |
| Spiral or rings | Notebook | Opens flat, economical | No title on the spine |
| Cloth or hardcover binding | Hardback book | Durable, for deposit or archive copies | Longer turnaround and higher cost |
For a square-spine binding, the guide Spine width explains how to calculate the width of the cover's spine.
3. Paper and printing
- Inside pages: white paper of 80 to 100 g/m², black and white or colour depending on the figures.
- Cover: board of 200 to 300 g/m², or a clear front cover and a card back cover for spiral binding.
- Double-sided: thinner and less paper; single-sided is sometimes requested for a thesis.
4. Turnaround times
Outside submission periods, many workshops print and bind a dissertation the same day. In June and September, or the day before a deadline, demand soars: send your file in advance or allow a day's margin. Some workshops are open on Saturday.
5. Before leaving the workshop
- Leaf through a copy: page order, colour figures, blank pages.
- Check the title on the cover and on the spine.
- Keep the final PDF: it is often needed for the digital submission.
Where to go in Paris
The imprimeur.paris directory lists the workshops that print and bind dissertations and theses, by district, with their opening hours and whether they open on Saturday: see the product page “Bound dissertations and theses” in the Products section.
Frequently asked questions
Which binding should I choose for a dissertation?
Perfect binding (glued square spine) looks like a book and suits most dissertations. Spiral or ring binding opens flat and costs less. Some schools require a specific binding: check your programme's rules first.
How long does it take to print a dissertation?
Many copy shops print and bind a dissertation in a few hours, sometimes in under an hour outside submission periods. In June and September, queues get longer: allow a day's margin.
Single-sided or double-sided?
Double-sided printing reduces thickness and paper; single-sided is sometimes required for theses submitted for deposit. Follow your institution's instructions.
What paper for a dissertation?
White paper of 80 to 100 g/m² for the inside pages, and a thicker cover (200 to 300 g/m²) or a clear front cover and a card back cover for spiral bindings.
Do I need a PDF file?
Yes: a single PDF, with fonts embedded, keeps the exact layout. A Word file may shift on the printer's computer.
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