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Paperback Book Printing

Paperback Book Printing

At QinPrinting, we specialize in professional paperback book printing for self-publishers, educators, businesses, and independent authors. With more than 25 years of experience and a reputation for precision, efficiency, and support, we help you produce high-quality softcover books tailored to your project’s goals.

Whether you need a small run of literary novels, a large print order of educational books, or fully customized marketing materials, we offer expert guidance, durable materials, and flexible printing options to help you succeed.

soft cover book printing
Paperback Book Printing
Paperback Book Printing Service
custom softcover books printing
Custom Paperback Book Printing
soft cover book printing
Paperback Book Printing
Paperback Book Printing Service
custom softcover books printing
Custom Paperback Book Printing
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Paperback Book Instant Quote

MOQ: 100pcs
3.74"-12" 95-305 mm
3.74"-14.5" 95-370 mm
Binding
Inner Page Count
 Pages
32
800
Inner (Full color printing)
1 gsm ≈ 0.68 lb Text Paper
Cover(Full color printing)
Cover Paper
1 gsm ≈ 0.68 lb Text Paper
Lamination
Surface (Multi-select available)
EXW Shanghai Price: USD 00 save now $000 Unit Price: $0.00 The price doesn’t include shipping costs and duty. Estimated weight: 18kg
To other countries, please contact us
Delivery to 00000, United State of American
Please enter your zip code *Excluding duty and tax
Total
$00000 unit price:$0.0

Download Free Template
based on your choices

Paper Options

Paper selection affects visual presentation, durability, and cost. We recommend selecting different stocks for interior pages and covers, depending on the artwork, layout, and desired finish.

Gloss Art Paper
Gloss Art Paper
Matte Art Paper
Matte Art Paper
  • Gloss Art Paper: Bright finish that enhances color depth—great for illustration-heavy books.
  • Matte Art Paper: Subtle sheen with excellent print quality and comfortable reading.
GSM / LB Gloss Art Paper Thickness Matte Art Paper Thickness
80 gsm / 54 lb Text 0.065 mm 0.072 mm
105 gsm / 71 lb Text 0.086 mm 0.090 mm
128 gsm / 86 lb Text 0.105 mm 0.110 mm
157 gsm / 106 lb Text 0.136 mm 0.140 mm
200 gsm / 135 lb Text 0.178 mm 0.200 mm
250 gsm / 92 lb Cover 0.225 mm 0.250 mm
300 gsm / 111 lb Cover 0.270 mm 0.285 mm
350 gsm / 129 lb Cover 0.410 mm -
Offset (uncoated) paper
Offset (uncoated) paper
  • Uncoated Paper: Best for coloring, writing, and interactive formats; prevents bleed-through.
GSM / lb Uncoated Paper Thickness
80 gsm / 54 lb Text 0.097 mm
100 gsm / 68 lb Text 0.118 mm
120 gsm / 81 lb Text 0.140 mm
140 gsm / 95 lb Text 0.160 mm
160 gsm / 108 lb Text 0.183 mm
180 gsm / 122 lb Text 0.200 mm

Paperback Binding Styles

Paperback books—also known as softcover books—come in several popular binding styles, each offering different benefits depending on your book’s purpose, length, and design.

sewn perfect binding
Perfect Bound

A popular and cost-effective option, perfect for fiction, comics, catalogs, and more. It features a clean, flat spine and is ideal for books with 32–800 pages.

saddle stitch binding
Saddle Stitch Binding
Simple and affordable, this method uses staples to hold pages together. Best for smaller booklets with 4–64 pages like comic books, manuals, and coloring books.
wire-o binding effect
Spiral & Wire-O Binding
Spiral and Wire-O bindings both use a punch-and-bind method, allowing books to lay completely flat and pages to turn 360°.

Finish Options

We also offer optional treatments to help your cover stand out. These include:

Can't find what you want? Contact us!

We’re always happy to discuss new formats or unusual specifications. If you don’t see what you’re looking for above, get in touch. Our team will be glad to help.

Why Choose QinPrinting for Custom Paperback Book Printing?

We combine quality craftsmanship with attentive customer service to help you create the best version of your paperback book.

Marketing promotion and brand building
Cost-Effective Solutions

Competitive pricing for both short and long runs, with special value on bulk orders.

Build loyalty
High Production Standards

Advanced offset printing ensures accurate color, crisp text, and strong binding.

Strict Color Control
Customization

Choose from multiple sizes, paper types, finishes, and binding methods.

Encouraging social interaction
Reliable Support

Our experienced team works with you from file preparation to final shipment.

Environmental Benefits
Sustainable Practices

We offer FSC-certified paper and soy-based inks upon request.

Fast Delivery
Factory Direct

Our Shanghai facility gives you access to top-tier production quality with global reach.

FAQs

Paperback book printing, also known as softcover printing, refers to producing books with a flexible, paper-based cover rather than a hard, rigid one. The cover is usually made of thicker cardstock and can be finished with matte or gloss lamination for durability and a professional look.

Inside, the pages are typically printed on coated or uncoated text paper and bound using one of several binding methods—most commonly perfect binding (where the pages are glued to the spine) or saddle stitching (where pages are stapled through the fold).

Softcover books are lightweight, affordable, and versatile, making them ideal for novels, graphic novels, coloring books, manuals, workbooks, catalogs, and more.

The umbrella term “perfect binding” includes standard perfect binding and sewn perfect binding.

Perfect Binding

Standard perfect binding is the standard for most novels, catalogs, and graphic novels. It’s cost-effective and offers a clean, professional finish.

In this method, the inner pages are glued into a heavier cover using a strong, flexible adhesive. The entire book is then precisely trimmed for a squared spine and polished look.

sewn perfect binding

Sewn perfect binding offers enhanced durability and allows the book to lay flat when opened. Interior pages are sewn together in sections before being glued into the cover, making the spine more flexible and long-lasting.

This premium binding is ideal for thicker books or publications that require frequent handling—combining an upscale appearance with practical performance.

We print paperback books in a wide range of sizes and orientations. Your choice of size depends on your genre, content type, audience, and distribution goals. Below are the most commonly used formats by category:

Standard Trade and General Nonfiction:

  • 5.5″ x 8.5″
  • 6″ x 9″
  • 7″ x 10″

Novels and Memoirs:

  • 5.5″ x 8.5″
  • 6″ x 9″

Textbooks, Manuals, and Workbooks:

  • 6″ x 9″
  • 8.5″ x 11″

Children’s Books and Early Readers:

  • 7″ x 7″
  • 8″ x 10″
  • 8.5″ x 8.5″ (square)

Mass-Market Paperbacks:

  • 4.25″ x 6.87″

These sizes are cost-effective and compatible with standard shelving, mailing, and retail expectations. However, we also support custom paperback book printing in nearly any size or orientation. Unusual formats may require more setup time and slightly higher costs, but they can make your book stand out in a crowded market.

The cost to print a paperback book typically ranges from $0.74 to $17.64 per book, depending on factors such as page count and order quantity. Here’s a breakdown for an 8.5″ x 11″ paperback book:

  • 80 pages + 4-page cover
    • 100 pcs: $642 (Unit: $6.42)
    • 500 pcs: $911 (Unit: $1.82)
    • 1000 pcs: $1,169 (Unit: $1.17)
    • 5000 pcs: $3,709 (Unit: $0.74)
  • 128 pages + 4-page cover
    • 100 pcs: $948 (Unit: $9.48)
    • 500 pcs: $1,366 (Unit: $2.73)
    • 1000 pcs: $1,769 (Unit: $1.77)
    • 5000 pcs: $5,626 (Unit: $1.13)
  • 208 pages + 4-page cover
    • 100 pcs: $1,458 (Unit: $14.58)
    • 500 pcs: $2,133 (Unit: $4.27)
    • 1000 pcs: $2,767 (Unit: $2.77)
    • 5000 pcs: $8,832 (Unit: $1.77)
  • 256 pages + 4-page cover
    • 100 pcs: $1,764 (Unit: $17.64)
    • 500 pcs: $2,594 (Unit: $5.19)
    • 1000 pcs: $3,389 (Unit: $3.39)
    • 5000 pcs: $10,748 (Unit: $2.15)

Paper & Printing Details

  • Cover: 250 gsm coated cover with matte lamination
  • Interior: 105 gsm coated text paper, full color printing

Note: Prices are EXW (Ex Works) from our facility and do not include shipping costs.

Try our easy and convenient online Printing Cost Calculator.

Our minimum order is 100 copies.

We offer a wide selection of interior and cover papers to match your content, whether you’re printing a vibrant art book or a classic text-only novel.

Interior Paper Options

  • Coated Paper (Gloss or Matte):
    • 80 gsm / 54 lb
    • 105 gsm / 71 lb
    • 128 gsm / 86 lb
    • 157 gsm / 106 lb
    • 200 gsm / 135 lb
  • Uncoated Offset Paper (Wood-Free):
    • 80 gsm / 54 lb
    • 100 gsm / 68 lb
    • 120 gsm / 81 lb
    • 140 gsm / 95 lb

Use cases:

  • Coated papers are ideal for image-rich content like photo books, illustrated novels, children’s books, and technical guides.
  • Uncoated papers are best for text-heavy books like novels, nonfiction, and manuals. They offer a clean, easy-to-read surface and are standard in trade publishing.

Cover Paper Options

  • Gloss or Matte Coated Paper:
    • 200 gsm / 74 lb
    • 250 gsm / 92 lb
    • 300 gsm / 111 lb
    • 350 gsm / 129 lb

Please submit your files as high-resolution PDFs (300 dpi), in CMYK color mode, with a 3 mm bleed and all fonts embedded. Our team is happy to assist if you need any help.

Yes. We provide a free manual document check to ensure everything is print-ready.

Yes, both digital and physical proofs are available to help you review layout and materials before full production.

Standard turnaround time is 5 to 10 business days, depending on complexity and order size. Shipping times vary by destination.

QinPrinting Reviews

Let's Talk

Have a paperback book ready to print? Whether you’re launching a new novel, publishing a custom workbook, or preparing marketing materials, our team is here to help. Contact us today for a free quote and expert support from start to finish.

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Max upload size: 50MB. For larger files, use WeTransfer or other platforms to send to [email protected]
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Size

Choose preset dimensions from the dropdown menu or click “Custom Size” to enter your own custom dimensions.

Please use the format, width x height; so, 5.5″ x 8.5″ would mean 5.5″ wide and 8.5″ high. 

size guide

Sewing and perfect binding

A premium variation of perfect binding that includes sewn pages for enhanced durability and the ability to lay flat without breaking the spine. Recommended for books with heavier interior paper or more than 200 pages.

Sewing and perfect binding detail

Page Count Range: 32–800 pages

If you need more pages, please contact us.

Perfect binding

A widely used binding method for softcover books, where pages are glued to a heavier cover. Ideal for books with more than 48 pages and fairly thin paper (80 gsm / 54 lb or 105 gsm / 71 lb text paper). It offers a sleek, professional look and is an economical choice for various genres.
perfect binding detail

Page Count Range: 32–800 pages

If you need more pages, please contact us.

Saddle stitch binding

A cost-effective binding method using staples or thread along the spine, suitable for booklets, magazines, and workbooks with 48 pages or fewer.

saddle titch binding detail

Page Count Range: 4–64 pages

If you need more pages, please contact us.

Wire-O binding

A strong, double-loop wire binding that allows pages to lie flat and turn easily. Ideal for textbooks, instructional guides, and manuals that require frequent handling. Available in various coil colors to match your design.

wire-o binding detail

Page Count Range: 4–800 pages

If you need more pages, please contact us.

Spiral Binding

Uses a plastic coil to bind pages, allowing them to rotate 360 degrees. A durable and flexible choice for cookbooks, workbooks, and reference materials. Available in multiple coil colors for customized look.

Please note: the prices shown are for plastic coil. If you prefer metal coil, please contact us for a custom quote.

spiral binding detail

Page Count Range: 4–800 pages

If you need more pages, please contact us.

Inner Page Count

You can adjust the page count by typing directly, clicking the plus or minus buttons, or dragging the horizontal slider.

Note: Inner pages do not include the cover, endpapers, dust jacket—only the internal content pages.

One sheet of paper is equal to two pages.

page-sheet
page-sheet

Inner Paper

Please select your paper choice for your book. If you have a special request not listed here, get in touch. 

gloss art Paper effect
Gloss Art Paper
A shiny, reflective surface that makes colors vibrant and images pop, perfect for illustrations, cartoons, and photographs. It delivers high-quality color reproduction, ideal for interior pages with rich visuals.
matte art Paper effect

Matte Art Paper
Provides a smooth, non-glossy finish that reduces glare and makes text easier to read. It offers excellent image reproduction while preserving a professional, subdued look for both graphics and text.

Offset Paper effect

Offset (Uncoated) Paper
A natural, uncoated paper that provides a smooth, absorbent surface, making it ideal for writing. It offers excellent opacity and brightness, ensuring text is crisp and clear. This paper is commonly used for books that emphasize readability and is often chosen for trade paperback novels, coloring books, etc.

Matte Lamination

A smooth, non-glossy finish that gives a sophisticated, soft appearance while reducing glare.

matte lamination effect

Gloss Lamination

Gloss lamination adds a shiny, smooth look that elevates the vibrancy and color of  printed surface.

Note: Spot UV is not available with this option.

gloss lamination effect

Soft Touch Lamination

Soft touch lamination is a relatively new technique. The result is similar to matte lamination, but the surface has a delightful, almost velvet feel which speaks of quality and luxury.

soft touch lamination effect

Varnish

A light protective coating that adds subtle sheen and protection. 

Note: Spot UV is not available with this option.

varnish effect

Spot UV

Spot UV applies a clear, glossy coating to specific areas—such as titles, logos, or images—to enhance contrast and visual appeal.

Not suitable for surfaces with gloss lamination or varnish.

Note: This option supports foil areas up to 7.87″ × 1.96″. For larger sizes, please contact us.

spot uv effect

Gold Foil Stamping

Gold foil stamping adds a luxurious metallic finish to text or design elements, making them stand out with a subtle shimmer.

Custom shapes and other foil colors are available upon request.

Note: This option supports foil areas up to 5.9″ × 1.18″. For larger sizes, please contact us.

gold foil stamping effect

Silver Foil Stamping

Silver foil stamping adds a sleek metallic finish to text or design elements, creating a polished, eye-catching effect.

Custom shapes and other foil colors are available upon request.

Note: This option supports foil areas up to 5.9″ × 1.18″. For larger sizes, please contact us.

silver foil stamping effect

Emboss

Embossing creates a raised effect on selected text or design elements, adding depth and a tactile dimension to your print.

Note: This option supports embossed areas up to 7.87″ × 1.96″. For larger sizes, please contact us.

emboss effect