Every summer and every January, we get a queue of students from Roehampton University, Kingston, St Mary's and the wider south-west London area all needing the same thing: a few bound copies of a dissertation, quick turnaround, no fuss. Here's a practical guide to save you time and stress in the last week before your deadline.
Start with the rules
Before printing a single page, check your university's handbook. Most universities have specific rules about:
- Paper size (usually A4)
- Binding style required for submission (sometimes specifically wire or hard-bound)
- Number of copies to submit
- Minimum margins (usually 25–40 mm on the binding edge)
- Whether printing on both sides (duplex) is allowed
Most departments publish these on the student portal. If yours doesn't, email the supervisor or admin office before you submit your file to us.
File format
Send us a PDF. Always a PDF. Word documents can shift when opened on a different machine — fonts change, images move, page breaks shuffle. A PDF locks everything in place.
From Word: File > Save As > PDF, then open the PDF yourself and flick through every single page. If anything looks odd, fix it in Word and re-export.
Paper stock — white 100 gsm is standard
Almost every UK dissertation is printed on plain white 100 gsm paper. It's solid, opaque (so text on the other side doesn't show through), and it takes ink without bleeding. Unless your handbook says otherwise, this is what we'll use.
Some students ask for 120 gsm for a more premium feel — a small jump in cost, a noticeable jump in quality. Worth it for a final bound copy that'll sit on a shelf.
Binding for dissertations
For everyday submissions, wire binding is the most common choice — it looks professional, lies flat, and is accepted at most UK universities. Expect to pay a little more than comb or spiral, but it's worth it.
For hard-bound copies (often required for PhD theses or one keepsake copy), we can arrange that too — it takes 5–7 days because it's sent to a specialist binder, so plan ahead.
How many copies do you need?
Most universities ask for two or three submission copies plus one for yourself. A common order is:
- 2 × wire-bound copies for submission (white 100 gsm, black ink)
- 1 × wire-bound copy for the student (same spec)
- Digital PDF backup (bring on USB and we'll return it with the pages)
Turnaround — realistic expectations
A 100-page dissertation with three wire-bound copies takes us about 2–3 hours on a normal day. In the two weeks before a big submission deadline, queues build up, so:
- Ring ahead to book a slot if you can
- Don't leave it until the hour before your deadline
- Send your PDF by email first so we can check it over
Common last-minute problems (and fixes)
"My margins are too narrow for binding." Most universities require 38–40 mm on the left edge for wire binding. If your file has 25 mm, you'll see the binding cut into text. Fix: in Word, Layout > Margins > Custom Margins, change the left margin and re-export.
"My page numbers are wrong after exporting." Check that Word's "Different first page" and "Different odd & even pages" settings match what you want. Re-export and inspect.
"My figures are pixellated." Likely a low-resolution image pulled from a website. Replace with a higher-resolution version if you have one; if not, resize smaller on the page so the pixels aren't as visible.
"My appendices are in a separate file." Combine all PDFs into one before sending — online tools like ilovepdf.com or Smallpdf make this quick.
What it'll cost (rough guide)
A 100-page dissertation, black & white, single-sided, on 100 gsm paper, with wire binding, typically lands between £15 and £25 per copy depending on total page count. Colour figures, thicker paper or higher page counts add a little more. For an exact quote, email your PDF through and we'll send prices by return.
Our practical tips
- Print a single test copy first if you can — flick through, spot problems, then print the rest
- Bring your USB or email the file — either is fine
- Check your department's exact binding requirements (some want specific colour covers)
- Don't submit the last copy you printed; always submit one you've checked cover to cover
Good luck with your deadline — and if you need anything at short notice, call 07376 464869 or email quote@copyshopputney.co.uk.
Published 15 April 2026 by the Copy Shop Putney team. Shop 395-A, Tildesley Rd, Putney Heath, London SW15 3BD.