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MakeMusic Forum > Public Forums > Finale - Windows - FORUM HAS MOVED! > Publishing and Paper Size | Forum Quick Jump
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|  Ken Elias Registered Member

       Date Joined Jan 2005 Total Posts : 24 | Posted 5/29/2015 12:55 PM (GMT -6) |   | I'm starting to self-publish my compositions. I've been reading about paper size. Most published music is about 9 x 12 inches. But it's about impossible to find paper cut to that size. The most universal sizes close to that are US standard 8-1/2 x 11 or EU A4. Both of them are pretty small.
I also found these interesting instructions for a composition class on requirements for good sheet music: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/music-and-theater-arts/21m-301-harmony-and-counterpoint-i-spring-2005/study-materials/21m_300_manupap.pdf
On the imslp.org site the vast majority of downloadable public domain pdf files are 8-1/2 x 11.
So, is 8-1/2 x 11 the new default size for self-published music, even though it's not ideal in terms of musicians reading? It seems OK for parts. But for chamber music with a pianist having the score, way too many page turns or tiny notes.
I'm curious what other people are doing on this issue. I tried searching the forum for publishing but get either no returns or time-out error messages. So, I'm sorry if I'm posting something that's already been addressed lots of times. I just can't find it.
Sincerely,
Ken Elias Three Rivers, CA | Back to Top | |
    |  N. Grossingink Registered Member

       Date Joined Nov 2002 Total Posts : 3991 | Posted 5/29/2015 6:40 PM (GMT -6) |   | I agree with Michel's suggestions. There is a world of difference between laying out parts on a 9x12 page and letter size (8.5x11). If, however, your music is more complex, you might want to consider going larger, like 10x13.
Zoots brings up a good point as well. If you're supplying your music as PDF downloads, you need to make it easy for people to handle printouts.
If you could post a "typical" page, it might be easier to offer more apt suggestions.
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 |  Ken Elias Registered Member

       Date Joined Jan 2005 Total Posts : 24 | Posted 5/29/2015 8:44 PM (GMT -6) |   | Thanks to all for these comments.
My thoughts so far are: If people want to download it and print it themselves at 8-1/2 x 11 it's free. I could have an option to provide printed and comb-bound or taped-together versions at 9 x 12 or whatever for money. But that would mean I'd have to have two versions for everything.
I had an orchestral piece performed by the Tulare County Symphony (Visalia, CA) in 2006. I printed the score on 11 x 17. The notes were tiny, but the conductor didn't seem to mind. I used Docu-Bind combs in two sections to hold it all together. The parts were all on 8-1/2 x 11. I taped them with magic tape accordion-style. I didn't hear too many wrong notes.
When I had a violin sonata played I printed the piano part on 11 x 17 but sized the content as 11 x 13 and then cut it down after printing. I printed the violin part on 8-1/2 by 11. In these cases for one-off performances I've always taped the pages together with magic tape accordion-style so there's more flexibility for the performers in how many pages they show at once on the stand and where the page turns are.
The difference now is, it's possible that somebody I don't know far away may actually want to play my music, and I can't be there with tape and scissors to hand-craft the parts.
I did search for a source for 9 x 12 paper and couldn't find anything that looked suitable. The paper I've been using I like a lot, Xerox 28-lb. 11 x 17 Digital Color Expressions+ for the larger scores. For 8-1/2 x 11 parts I've been using Office Depot Premium 24-lb. With my print-on-one-side protocol it seems adequate as no notes showing through from the other side, and just plenty of paper up there on the stand.. 
Perhaps I should invest in a professional-grade hand-operated paper cutter that includes clamps and guides and all manner of bells and whistles to assure accuracy. I could then cut from my 11 x 17 paper anything smaller. I wonder if it would be accurate enough to get through my printer?
If I was a pro I'd accept investing more time and money into this. As an amateur I've got to figure what is the prevailing level of acceptance for common technology.
Thanks again for your thoughts. If anything I've added here inspires further comments, I'll be grateful.. 
Ken Elias Three Rivers, CA ------------------------------------ Finale 2014, Sonar X3 Producer, Vienna Symphonic Library, Melodyne, Windows 7. | Back to Top | |
 |  Ken Elias Registered Member

       Date Joined Jan 2005 Total Posts : 24 | Posted 5/29/2015 9:27 PM (GMT -6) |   | I just found a website called thepapermillstore.com. I'll look into what they have an report back...
Ken Elias | Back to Top | |
 |  Ken Elias Registered Member

       Date Joined Jan 2005 Total Posts : 24 | Posted 5/29/2015 10:00 PM (GMT -6) |   | PapermillStore didn't work.
I found this in the Finale Forum... http://www.finalemusic.com/blog/dont-drop-the-ball-when-printing-your-music/ But the one option for paper of a non-standard size led to nowhere..
Michel, where do you get your paper?? | Back to Top | |
       |  John Ruggero Registered Member

       Date Joined Mar 2000 Total Posts : 820 | Posted 5/30/2015 7:10 AM (GMT -6) |   | Dear Ken,
I also self-publsh and went through the same soul-searching about the paper size. I finally went with the standard 8.5 x 11 for piano and chamber music and have had no difficulty with it in terms of layout, page turns etc. because:
the actual area of music on a page is 10.5 x 7.5 in most published music of these genres. This leaves adequate 1/2 inch margins for the sides, but only 1/4 inch on top and bottom, which is easily increased to 1/2 inch or more by good layout.
You can then use readily available 11 x 17 paper, print two pages to a side, including your cover on light cover-stock, fold the whole and staple (do invest in a pamphlet stapler). You then have a professional-looking score with no more taping or comb binding.
The actual area of music would be the same as on 9 x 12. So what's the problem? The only problem is in displaying your music in a sheet music store, where it would be dwarfed by much of the music around it. However, that might not be an an issue for you. And sheet music stores do tolerate the smaller size.
Best of luck with your composing and publishing,
John Ruggero | Back to Top | |
 |  Ken Elias Registered Member

       Date Joined Jan 2005 Total Posts : 24 | Posted 5/30/2015 8:40 AM (GMT -6) |   | Thanks everyone..! This is so much valuable help. I'm reminded of what an incredibly knowledgeable and generous community Finale Forum is..
I can see using all of these suggestions at different times. And, I can proceed for now with what I have.
I wish I could hear all the music that you all write and play. I think it would be a joyous experience.
Ken Elias | Back to Top | |
  |  Ken Elias Registered Member

       Date Joined Jan 2005 Total Posts : 24 | Posted 5/30/2015 2:09 PM (GMT -6) |   | Derrick, you wrote: "To search the Forum, make sure you are using the tech at the top of the topics list." I don't know what that means. I only see a Search button in the upper right part of the main window, which takes me to a window with parameters for how many days, how many responses, keywords, etc. Then I either get "No records match.." or a timeout error.
John: Now that I've got a way forward for now, 8-1/2 x 11 printed side-by-side on 11 x17, I'm banging my head against how to do that. Found several posts by searching from Google rather than the Finale Forum search which I can't make work, and the clearest explanation was for Finale2011, and now there are enough changes in the menu structure etc that I can't translate it into 2014. Any tips?
Or, if anyone does now how to make the Search function work, and can bring up a couple of threads about how this is done and create a link in a Reply to this message I'd really appreciate it.. 
Ken Elias Ken Elias Three Rivers, CA ----------------------------------------------------------- Finale 2014, Sonar X3 Producer, Vienna Symphonic Library, Melodyne, Windows 7 | Back to Top | |
   |  John Ruggero Registered Member

       Date Joined Mar 2000 Total Posts : 820 | Posted 5/30/2015 7:51 PM (GMT -6) |   | Ken, I am glad the experts have answered your question. I have always done my printing at a store where the machines can handle light cover stock for the covers. I just lay the 8.5 by 11 sheets physically on the machine in the correct order. The correct order is an interesting thing in itself! | Back to Top | |
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