How Much Does It Cost to Print a Book? (2025 Edition)

Updated February 2025

Wondering how much it costs to print a book? Whether you’re self-publishing, printing a business book, or producing a novel, this guide breaks down exact costs, compares printing methods, and shows you how to save money in 2025.

Knowing these costs is key to bringing 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.

Whether you’re a self-published author, a business, or a publishing house, understanding book printing costs can help you make informed decisions and maximise your budget.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Book Printing Cost Comparison
• Factors That Influence Printing Costs
• Printing Methods: Digital vs. Offset vs. POD
• Hidden Costs to Consider
• How to Reduce Printing Costs
• Which Printing Option is Best?

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 printing a hardcover book more affordably. By the end, you’ll clearly understand what to consider when requesting a book printing quote.

Here’s a general pricing range for UK book printers:

Book Type	Low-End Cost (per copy)	High-End Cost (per copy)
Paperback (100 copies, 200 pages, black & white)	£1.50 – £3.50	£5.00 – £8.00
Hardcover (50 copies, 200 pages, black & white)	£4.50 – £6.50	£10.00 – £25.00
Colour Paperback (100 copies, 200 pages)	£4.00 – £7.00	£10.00 – £20.00
Print-on-Demand (1-5 copies, 200 pages)	£6.00 – £10.00	£12.00 – £25.00

The more you print, the cheaper the per-book cost.

 

Book Printing Cost Comparison (UK-Based Printers)

We compared pricing from major UK book printing companies to compare real-world costs.

All costs are based on a 200-page A5 paperback (black & white, 100 copies, standard bookwove paper and thread-sewn hardbacks):

Printer	Paperback (200 pages, 100 copies)	Hardback (200 pages, 50 copies)	Notes
Imprint Digital	£295.00	£497.50	Thread-sewn, FSC paper, fast turnaround
Book Printing UK	£449.16	£528.88	Additional services, hardbacks are not sewn.
Mixam	£555.00	£426.50	Print management company, not thread sewn
Print2Demand	£459.00	£664.50	Quick calculator, easy to navigate website
Catford Print	£453.06	£541.85	Quick calculator, multiple print services
InstantPrint	£455.00	N/A	Lots of products and a range of services

Note: Prices change frequently, and additional costs (e.g., shipping, proofs) may apply.

Imprint Digital are the only short-run book printing company that can offer thread-sewn hardback books at a competitive price starting at 10 copies.

 

Factors That Influence 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.

1. Paper Type & Quality

Choosing the right paper stock is critical, as it affects cost, durability, and the overall reading experience. Here’s a breakdown of common paper types used in book printing:

• 80gsm opaque paper – A cost-effective and widely used option for text-heavy books. Provides good readability while keeping production costs low.
• 100-120gsm bookwove – A slightly heavier and higher-quality paper suitable for general fiction and non-fiction. This is a popular choice for premium-feeling books.
• 150-170gsm coated (gloss/silk/matt) – Ideal for books with illustrations, photography, or high-quality visuals. Coated options provide enhanced colour vibrancy and crisp images.
• Recycled or FSC-certified paper – A sustainable alternative for eco-conscious authors and publishers. While slightly more expensive, it aligns with environmental standards and consumer preferences.

Balancing Cost & Print Quality

For self-publishers or businesses printing in bulk, it’s essential to balance quality and cost-effectiveness:

• A cheap booklet can use 80gsm standard paper.
• A typical novel benefits from 80gsm bookwove for improved opacity and durability.
• High-quality photography books require coated stocks (150gsm-170gsm) for image clarity and colour depth.

2. Binding Type

Different bookbinding methods impact both durability and price:

Binding Type	Best For	Cost Range
Perfect Binding	Most paperbacks	££
Saddle Stitching	Small booklets (64 pages max)	£
Hardcover (Case Bound)	High-end books, durability	£££
Spiral & Wire-O Binding	Manuals, cookbooks	££

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.

Finishing touches, such as cover lamination or UV coating, add to the overall cost but provide additional protection and enhance the book’s appearance. Case wrapping and glueing over a thick, rigid board for hardcover books contribute to higher expenses than faster, less labour-intensive paperback production. Additionally, our hardback books are sewn as standard, adding another layer of production.

3. Print Run Size (How Many Copies?)

The more books you print, the lower your per-unit cost. For example:

• 100 copies = £2.50 per book
• 500 copies = £1.50 per book
• 1,000+ copies = £1.00 per book

For short runs, digital printing is more affordable. Offset printing becomes cheaper for larger orders (1,000+ copies).

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.

4. Colour vs. Black & White

• Black & White: £1.50 – £4.00 per book
• Full Colour: £4.00 – £15.00 per book

Mixing black & white with a few colour pages can help reduce costs.

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.

 

Printing Methods: Digital vs. Offset vs. Print-on-Demand

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.

Method	Best For	Pros	Cons
Digital Printing	Short runs (10-500 copies)	Fast turnaround, flexible	Higher per-book cost
Offset Printing	Large runs (1,000+ copies)	Lower cost per unit	High setup cost
Print-on-Demand (POD)	Single copies	No inventory needed	Most expensive per unit

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 to Consider

Some printing expenses are often overlooked, leading to unexpected costs. Here’s what to watch out for:

1. Shipping & Handling Fees – Can add £0.50-£2.00 per book

Shipping costs vary based on the book’s weight, size, and destination. It’s important to get a shipping estimate before confirming your order. For print-on-demand (POD) services, shipping fees are typically included in the final price, but if you’re handling your own distribution, don’t forget to factor in packaging materials, postage, and potential bulk shipping discounts.

International shipping can further increase costs, especially when shipping from the UK to Europe due to customs duties and VAT regulations.

2. Proof Copies & Revisions – £10-£100 per proof

Proof copies are essential to ensure print quality before committing to a full run. However, revisions can add extra costs. Some printers charge for each file update, which can become expensive if changes are needed across multiple formats (e.g., hardcover, paperback, and ebook).

For instance, fixing a small typo across different book formats can incur multiple charges. To reduce revision costs, thoroughly proofread and finalize your files before submission. Some printers may waive minor revision fees for large orders, so it’s worth negotiating if you’re printing in bulk.

3. Errors & Returns

If the printer makes a mistake, they typically cover the cost of reprinting. However, if an error occurs due to an issue on your end—such as incorrect formatting or last-minute design changes—you may need to cover the cost of a reprint.

To avoid this:

• Double-check your manuscript before submission.
• Request digital proofs to review layout and design.
• Confirm file specifications with your printer before finalizing the print run.

Additionally, some printers have overage or underage policies, meaning you may receive slightly more or fewer copies than ordered due to production variances. Be sure to check if this affects your final cost.

 

How to Reduce Printing Costs

1. Print in Bulk – The more you print, the cheaper it gets per book.
2. Choose Black & White – Only use colour where absolutely necessary.
3. Optimize Paper Choice – Balance cost and quality (e.g., bookwove vs. coated).
4. Consider Alternative Binding – Perfect binding is cheaper than case-bound hardcovers.
5. Use Print-on-Demand for Testing – If unsure about demand, start small.

 

Which Printing Option is Best for You?

• Short runs (10-2,000 copies)? Use digital printing for flexibility.
• Large orders (5,000+ copies)? Offset printing is cheaper per unit.
• Want to avoid inventory? Print-on-demand (POD) is best, but it is more expensive per book.

If you’re ready to print your book, use our instant quote tool to get a price in seconds!

How It Works:

1. 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.
2. Choose Paper Options: Select the type of paper for the interior and cover, ranging from standard 80gsm to premium coated stocks.
3. Select Quantity: The tool will calculate costs for your desired print run, showing you how the price changes for larger or smaller quantities.
4. 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.