How Much Does It Cost to Print a Book?
The cost of printing a book is a common concern for new authors and publishers. Prices can vary widely based on several factors, like the number of copies you need, how many pages the book has, and the printing method you choose (digital vs offset). Knowing these costs is key if you want to bring your book to market and at least break even. For instance, printing a typical novel might cost between £1 and £4 per copy, while a high-end hardcover book with extra features can exceed £25 per copy.
In this article, we’ll explore the factors that affect book printing costs. We’ll break down typical expenses, look at different printing methods, and highlight any hidden costs you might encounter. We’ll also discuss print-on-demand services and share tips on how to print a hardcover book more affordably. By the end, you’ll clearly understand what to consider when requesting a book printing quote.
Our online quote tool lets you input your project details and instantly receive an estimated cost, helping you make informed decisions quickly.
How It Works:
- Input Your Book Specifications: Enter details such as book size, number of pages, binding type (e.g., perfect binding or hardcover), and whether you need colour or black-and-white printing.
- Choose Paper Options: Select the type of paper for the interior and cover, ranging from standard 80gsm to premium coated stocks.
- Select Quantity: The tool will calculate costs for your desired print run, showing you how the price changes for larger or smaller quantities.
- Get Your Quote: Instantly receive a breakdown of the estimated costs and any applicable finishing options like lamination or UV coating.
Why Use Our Online Quote Tool?
- Fast and Convenient: Get real-time pricing without waiting for manual quotes.
- Customisable Options: Tailor your quote to match the specific needs of your book, from paper type to finishing touches.
Factors Affecting Book Printing Costs
Several key elements influence the final price of a printed book, including paper quality, binding options, the number of copies printed, and the choice between colour and black-and-white printing. Understanding how these different elements affect the price and look of your book is essential.
Paper Quality and Type
The type of paper for your book is one of the main costs and one of the main factors that determine how your book looks and feels. Standard 80gsm opaque paper is the most affordable option for regular reading. It offers good quality and durability while keeping production expenses low. If your book contains colour illustrations or photographs, you might need premium coated paper ranging from 150gsm to 170gsm which is available in gloss, silk or matt.. While this enhances the visual appeal of your book, it also increases the overall cost. For instance, 100 sheets of 80gsm opaque paper in SRA3 size cost about £1.60, whereas 100 sheets of 170gsm matt paper cost around £3.20.
Binding Options
Perfect binding is the most common and cost-effective option for paperback books. It involves gluing the pages to a cardstock cover, usually 240 to 260gsm. Saddle stitching uses staples to hold the pages together, making it very economical but less durable and suitable only for books with 64 pages or fewer. Hardcover binding, also known as case binding, is the most expensive but offers a luxurious feel with sewn pages and premium cover options. Other binding methods like spiral coil, comb, and wire-o are similar in cost to perfect binding and are effective for short print runs.
Print Run Size
Generally, the more copies you produce at once, the lower the cost per unit. For example, printing 2,000 books will result in a lower unit cost than printing 200. This is because larger quantities are often matched with more cost-effective production methods. Digital printing is advantageous for short runs due to minimal setup times resulting in a lower makeready cost, while offset printing becomes more economical for longer runs due to the extra time needed to set the job up, producing plates etc.
Colour vs. Black and White
Colour printing traditionally costs more because it requires four inks—cyan, magenta, yellow, and black—to produce the full spectrum of colours. Black-and-white printing uses only black ink, making it less expensive. Advances in printing technology have made colour printing more affordable, but it still tends to be pricier than black and white. Colour printing is essential for books that feature vibrant illustrations, photographs, or when visual appeal is a critical factor.
To optimise costs, we have the option to mix colour and black-and-white pages within the same book. This approach allows you to include colourful illustrations or graphics where necessary while keeping the text sections more economical. For example, you can choose to have colour pages throughout the book or insert colour plate sections printed on different paper stock.
Breakdown of Typical Book Printing Expenses
Several components contribute to the overall cost of printing a book. This breakdown will help you make informed decisions and optimise expenses.
Setup and make-ready Costs
A book’s journey begins with setup and pre-press. Depending on the complexity of the project and the amount of work required, pre-press fees will typically be included in your printer’s make-ready costs.
Pre-press activities include:
- Evaluating the file for printing suitability
- Ensuring proper formatting and page layout
- Adding adequate bleed to page margins
- Verifying correct colour models
- Adding crop marks for production bindery
- Imposing on full sheets to optimise costs
While these tasks may seem minor, they are essential for producing a high-quality book. Many organisations lack access to graphic designers or production experts, making pre-press work necessary to ensure files are prepared correctly for printing.
Paper and Printing Costs
Paper quality and printing methods significantly affect the overall cost. The choice of paper stock influences both the look and feel of the book and its durability.
Standard 80gsm will be sufficient for a cheap booklet, or an 80gsm bookwove paper for a typical novel. These paper stocks offer good quality without being too expensive. However, if you want to print a photo book, you will want heavy-coated paper to reproduce images accurately. This is when the paper costs start to become expensive and can double and even triple the cost of your book.
The number of books printed in a single press run also affects the unit cost. Generally, larger print runs result in lower per-unit costs. For example, printing 2,000 books will have a lower unit cost than printing 200 books. However, printing 2,000 books will cost significantly more and can be risky if you’re printing a new title. It may be better to print a shorter run of books to test the market before investing such large amounts.
For an A5 book with 64 pages, our costs for 100 copies will be £1.94 per unit, and for 1,000 copies, it will be £0.81 per unit. Every job will have a setup cost, some more than others, but typically, ordering more books will significantly lower the unit cost.
Binding and Finishing Costs
Various binding options are available, each with its own price point:
- Perfect binding: A popular and cost-effective method for paperback books.
- Saddle stitching: Economical but suitable only for books with 64 pages or less.
- Hardcover binding: The most expensive option due to its involved production process.
- Spiral coil, comb, and wire-o binding: Similar in price to perfect binding, effective for short-run books.
Finishing touches, such as cover lamination or UV coating, add to the overall cost but provide additional protection and enhance the book’s appearance. For hardcover books, case wrapping and glueing over a thick, rigid board contribute to higher expenses compared to faster, less labour-intensive paperback production. Additionally, our hardback books are sewn as standard, adding another layer of production that contributes to the overall cost.
Understanding Book Printing Methods
The printing method you choose plays a crucial role in determining both the cost and the quality of your final product. Whether you’re an author a publisher or a business printing marketing material, it’s essential to understand your options to ensure your book meets your expectations, both in appearance and budget. Offset vs digital printing comes up in conversation multiple times due to their price differences on large runs, lets have a look at each printing option in more detail.
Digital Printing
Digital printing has transformed the book printing industry by offering an affordable option for small print runs. This process sends digital files (PDF) directly to the press using software such as Fiery or Prisma from Canon. This does away with the need for traditional printing plates which greatly reduces the make-ready time.
One of the biggest advantages of digital printing is the flexibility it offers. You can print any number of books, from a single copy for proofing to several thousand, without facing high setup costs. This makes it perfect for self-published authors or those wanting to test the waters with a new title. Plus, making changes or updates is easy. If after the single proof copy you spot any mistakes, you can send a new print file with only a small file amendment charge.
Offset Printing
Offset printing remains the go-to method for producing large volumes of books, usually several thousand copies or more. This technique uses metal plates to transfer ink onto paper via a rubber cylinder.
The main advantage of offset printing is its cost-effectiveness for big print runs. While the initial setup is more expensive because of the need to create printing plates, the cost per book drops significantly as you print more copies. This makes offset printing the preferred choice for publishers planning to sell thousands of books.
Print-on-Demand
Print-on-demand (POD) is another digital printing method. The books are printed in the same way as any other digital print run with the advantage of more automation allowing the setup and single copies to be produced without large setup times.
POD services usually integrate with a distribution centre linked to an online bookstore. When a customer places an order, the book is printed and shipped directly to them. This model minimises financial risk because there’s no need to predict how many copies will sell; you print exactly what is ordered.
While POD provides convenience, it often comes with a higher cost per unit than traditional printing methods. This can affect profit margins, especially for books with lower retail prices. There may also be limitations on book size, paper options, and special finishes, which could impact the overall quality or appeal of the book.
Each method has its strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on factors such as print run, book size, budget, time constraints, and desired finishes.
Hidden Costs in Printing
When calculating the cost of printing a book, authors and publishers often overlook several hidden expenses that can significantly impact the overall budget.
Shipping and Handling
Shipping and handling fees should be made available before any order has been confirmed by the printing company. The price will depend on the book’s weight, size, and where it’s going. If you’re using print-on-demand (POD) services, these costs are usually built into the retail price. For distribution, if you’re managing your own stock and shipping, you’ll need to consider packaging materials, postage, and possible discounts for bulk shipping.
International shipping can make things more expensive and complicated, especially if you’re in the UK sending books within Europe.
Proof Copies and Revisions
Ordering proof copies is a common and important step to ensure your book looks right before the final print.
Revisions can also get expensive. Some printers charge for each file update, which can add up if you need changes across multiple formats like hardcover, paperback, and ebook. For example, fixing a typo in all formats could lead to a hefty fee. This can discourage authors from making necessary edits, potentially lowering the book’s quality. These costs are often negotiable, so it’s worth discussing them with your printer. If you’re printing thousands of copies, you might be able to get these fees waived.
Returns and Errors
If your printer makes an error, they usually cover the cost. But if you decide to make changes after submitting your book and the error is due to something you have done, you will have to pay for them even if they are not right.
To avoid these costs, carefully review your manuscript before sending it to the printer and request digital proofs to check your files.
Also, printers often have policies for overages or underages—extra or fewer books printed to account for errors during production. These policies can result in additional costs or fewer copies than you ordered.
Being aware of these hidden costs helps you plan better and avoid surprises, ensuring a smoother and more cost-effective printing process.
Conclusion
Printing a book involves several factors that affect both its cost and quality from selecting the right paper and binding method to deciding the number of copies and being mindful of hidden expenses. Understanding these aspects is crucial in determining the cost of printing while maintaining the desired quality.
Whether you opt for the flexibility of digital printing, the cost-effectiveness of offset printing for large quantities, or the convenience of print-on-demand services, each option offers unique benefits.
