Communication Breakdown

I went to visit The Roman Group in Southbourne today to discuss printing my book, after initially speaking with them on the phone.

I explained everything I wanted, dimensions, embossing, paper stock etc., and then he asked me how many I wanted.....and was a bit shocked when I said 2 or 3!

He said it would run into thousands to only have that quantity done and gave me contact details for a digital printer who they recommend.

I did explain on the phone that I was a student and I only needed a couple of copies but they obviously didn't hear that! Disappointed, as I really wanted to produce a 'proper' book, professionally litho printed.

The digital printer has quoted me £300+VAT for two copies which seems excessive and he also said if I wanted embossing on the cover then the set up cost alone would be £90+VAT.

I am thinking of ways around this, and wondering if I can produce the embossing on the cover using the letterpress at Uni?

And if I am having it digitally printed, I might print it at the Uni or at least at Image XL, where I'm sure I could get some 'mate's rates'!

I still have a couple of Litho printers who could help, so all is not lost!