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Top 3 Challenges Students Face When Printing Thesis Papers
Don’t panic, start printing!
Printing a thesis paper can feel like defeating the final boss after months or even years of research and writing. For thesis writers, getting this important document to look perfect in print is a surprisingly stressful hurdle. After all the dedication to creating good thesis statements, collecting necessary data, and polishing every single paragraph, the last thing students expect is to be defeated by formatting errors, printer failures, binding dilemmas, or the approaching deadline. This blog will address the top three challenges students encounter while printing their thesis paper and how to prepare for these potential pitfalls.
Formatting issues
Many students realize too late that formatting a thesis paper is an entirely different challenge. Strict university guidelines typically require:
Specific margin sizes
Font types and sizes
Line spacing
Heading and subheading styles
Table of contents and page numbering rules
If your thesis committee is really nitpicky, you might lose marks for formatting issues, which could be a reason as to why they’d lean toward a worse grade. Thesis writers often underestimate how long perfect formatting takes. Tables may shift, page numbers may misalign, and graphics may blur.
Institutions can be extremely strict, so start formatting your thesis paper at least two weeks before the final deadline. You can even print a few draft pages to catch problems early. If this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry: use a proofreading service or start a final format revision. If you’re wondering what a “final format revision” is, the online print shop BachelorPrint developed a 3D live preview specifically for students. You simply need to upload your work, which can then be freely accessed by you inside their shop. This way, students can easily click through their thesis paper and virtually detect and edit any common mistakes.
Printing & binding
You’re done with formatting and editing. Now it’s time to hit “Print,” right? Not so fast. Several questions might come up before you print and bind your thesis paper:
Should I use black and white or colour printing?
What paper quality should I use for my thesis?
Where can I print and bind my thesis paper?
What is the print shop’s turnaround time?
What type of binding should I use?
How many copies do I need?
How much will it cost to print my thesis?
Printing and binding can be underestimated when it comes to time consumption, especially when local print shops have long queues around major academic deadlines.
This is why it’s important to rely on a trusted dissertation printing and binding service that does the work for you instead of creating more problems. A good printing service should have numerous bindings, a variety of binding colours, verified customer reviews, and customizable embossing available, so that every student can easily create a visual masterpiece. BachelorPrint offers solutions to these problems because it offers:
Premium hardcover, customizable paperback, spiral, and thermal bindings
Several color options for bindings and embossing
Standard embossing with your university’s logo or customized embossing
Both single-sided and double-sided printing
A choice between 20 lb and 27 lb paper grade options
Free color printing
3+1 copies discount
Live 3D preview of your final thesis paper
Free express delivery worldwide
Delivery date calculator
Data check for printability
Plagiarism checker (with a 10% printing discount)
Extras like a ribbon mark and corner protectors
Make sure to follow your university’s guidelines when it comes to type and style of binding before printing your thesis paper.
Deadlines & delays
Even if you pick the perfect printing service or local print shop, timing is a huge factor. Particularly during peak submission seasons, printers get swamped, meaning:
Longer queues for printing and binding
Rush charges for last-minute jobs
Risk of missed submission deadlines
For thesis writers, poor timing can be devastating after months of hard work. Although printing doesn’t take long, you should always allow at least a week between printing and your actual submission deadline.
If all of this sounds stressful, you’re not alone. That’s why many students nowadays are turning to dissertation help and printing and binding services. These experts can guide students through the final hurdles of formatting, proofreading, printing, and binding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to print a thesis single-sided or double-sided?
Depending on the length of the thesis paper, it’s usually recommended to use double-sided printing so as not to waste paper. However, the most important thing is to comply with your institution’s guidelines.
What are the margins for printing a thesis?
Most universities require specific margins for proper readability and to allow space for binding. A common standard for thesis papers is:
Left margin: 1.5 inches (to accommodate binding)
Right margin: 1 inch
Top margin: 1 inch
Bottom margin: 1 inch
However, always double-check your university’s formatting guidelines, as some may have slight variations.
Where to get my thesis bound?
You can get your thesis paper bound at your university’s print centre, local print shops, or professional online printing services.
How much does it cost to get your thesis bound?
The price of your printed and bound thesis depends on the type of binding, the number of copies, page count, paper quality, colour printing, and other factors.
Spiral or thermal binding usually costs $10–$40 per copy, whereas hardcover binding might be $40–$80 per copy. Paperback binding can range in-between these three types of bindings.
What is the best type of binding for a thesis paper?
It depends on your university’s guidelines. Usually, hardcover (hardback) binding is preferred for final submissions and keepsakes due to durability and high quality.