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Art Book Printing
Custom art book printing for fine artists, illustrators, photographers, and design studios, plus indie publishers, galleries, and self-publishing creators who need gallery-grade reproduction. We print fine art monographs, illustrator portfolios, limited-edition artist books, and exhibition catalogs with Smyth-sewn hardcover or sewn perfect-bound softcover. Foil stamping, cloth covers, painted edges, and slipcases are all available. We print everything from short numbered editions to commercial runs of 500, 1,000 copies or more, with the lowest per-copy cost at higher volumes.
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What We Print — Three Types of Art Books
Fine Art Monographs and Artist Retrospectives
Monographs and retrospectives that present a body of work as a finished edition. Smyth-sewn hardcover, 157 gsm matte or gloss art paper, optional cloth cover with foil. Ideal for established artists, estates, and studios producing a definitive volume.
Illustrator Portfolios and Limited-Edition Artist Books
Portfolios and small limited editions for illustrators and self-publishing artists. Sewn perfect-bound softcover or hardcover, painted edges and foil for collector appeal, from 100 copies so a numbered run stays realistic.
Exhibition Catalogs, Gallery Books and Design Studio Editions
Exhibition catalogs, gallery publications, and studio editions where color accuracy and timing matter. GMG-proofed color, uncoated or art paper, and short-run quantities that suit a single show or launch.
Standard Art Book Sizes
The most economical size is 8.5 × 11 in. Custom sizes are available on request.
| Format | Common size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Square portfolio | 8.5 × 8.5 in / 10 × 10 in | Illustration, mixed media |
| Landscape | 11 × 8.5 in / 12 × 9 in | Panoramic work, spreads |
| Portrait | 8 × 10 in / 9 × 12 in | Monographs, catalogs |
| Large format | 12 × 12 in and up | Full-page artwork |
| Compact | 6 × 8 in / 7 × 9 in | Artist books, zines |
Large Size Art Book Printing
Art Book Paper Options
Choosing the right paper is essential to balance visual impact, durability, and interactivity:
- 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.
- Uncoated Paper: Best for coloring, writing, and interactive formats; prevents bleed-through.
Binding Choices
Printing and binding go hand-in-hand. At QinPrinting, we offer a full range of binding options to suit your book’s genre, purpose, and budget. Here’s a quick overview:
A refined softcover that still opens well, ideal for portfolios and catalogs.
The durable, premium standard for monographs and gallery books.
Hardcover Art Book Printing
Paperback Art Book Printing
A custom paperback art book with sewn and perfect binding delivers a refined look at a more affordable price. Even as a paperback, we also do sewn and perfect binding, allowing interior pages to lie flatter than standard glue perfect bound books, making it easier to spread your artwork into both pages. Whether you opt for a bold, large-format display or a handy, smaller trim size, we can create the perfect paperback art book to meet your goals.
Finish Options
At QinPrinting, we offer a full range of finishing options to make your book stand out and look truly professional. These include:
A glossy finish applied to specific areas for a bold and distinct look.
Metallic or pigmented foil for a shiny, eye-catching effect. Available in gold, silver, rose gold, and more.
Raised designs for added texture and elegance.
A recessed design that creates a tactile impression on the cover, adding texture and sophistication.
Thin metallic foil—usually gold, silver, or bronze—is applied to the trimmed edges of your book's pages.
Custom patterns and images are sprayed on the edges for a truly unique appearance.
Print your design on a special paper that reflects light in a rainbow-like pattern.
Wrap your book in a durable synthetic leather material.
Cover your book with woven linen or cotton fabric.
Short-Run Art Book Printing — From 100 Copies
Short-run art book printing from 100 copies, with offset quality at every quantity. This suits small presses, galleries, and independent artists producing a single edition, a museum-quality catalog, or a numbered limited run without committing to a large print order. Larger runs of 500, 1,000 copies or more bring the per-unit cost down further, ideal for trade distribution, retail, and crowdfunding fulfillment.
Why Artists, Illustrators, and Galleries Choose QinPrinting
Founded by a printing veteran with 35+ years of experience.
Offset presses at 200–220 LPI — finer detail than the 175 LPI standard.
Structural price advantage — typically 30%+ vs local printers.
All key finishing handled together on one production schedule.
Excellent 4.9/5 on Trustpilot.
Printing File Requirements
Getting your files press-ready is the single most important step before printing. Follow these four requirements
Add Bleed
Extend backgrounds and images 0.125" (3 mm) beyond the trim edge on every side.
Convert Colors to CMYK
Convert your color space from RGB to CMYK
Resolution: 300 PPI
Make sure the resolution for your images is 300 PPI.
Export as PDF
Save your final artwork as a print-ready PDF.
Manual File Check by Our Pre-Press Team
Every QinPrinting order includes a free file check by a real person — not automated software. Our pre-press team reviews your files for all of the above before anything goes to press. If something needs fixing, we’ll tell you exactly what it is and how to correct it.
FAQs
How much does it cost to print an art book?
To print an art book, the cost depends on factors like quantity, size, page count, paper type, cover type, and binding method. For a typical 100-page hardcover art book, prices may range from $5 to $15 per copy for smaller quantities. Larger print runs often reduce the cost per book.
You can get an insight into the cost of printing a custom art book from our at-a-glance price charts.
| Quantity | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs | 5000pcs | 10000pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80pp + 4pp | $6.77 unit $677 total | $1.99 unit $993 total | $1.31 unit $1,310 total | $1.03 unit $2,066 total | $0.89 unit $4,439 total | $0.84 unit $8,368 total |
| 128pp + 4pp | $10.01 unit $1,001 total | $2.99 unit $1,493 total | $1.99 unit $1,986 total | $1.56 unit $3,128 total | $1.36 unit $6,780 total | $1.28 unit $12,801 total |
| 256pp + 4pp | $18.63 unit $1,863 total | $5.67 unit $2,837 total | $3.81 unit $3,811 total | $3.00 unit $6,009 total | $2.60 unit $12,983 total | $2.46 unit $24,620 total |
- Cover: 300 gsm / 110 lb coated cover paper with matte lamination outside
- Interior: 157 gsm / 106 lb coated text paper, full color printing
- Please note that all prices are EXW (Ex Works) our facility and do not include shipping costs.
| Page Count | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs | 5000pcs | 10000pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80pp | $11.27 unit $1,127 total | $3.17 unit $1,584 total | $2.33 unit $2,330 total | $1.96 unit $3,912 total | $1.67 unit $8,345 total | $1.60 unit $15,956 total |
| 128pp | $15.49 unit $1,549 total | $4.38 unit $2,191 total | $3.11 unit $3,105 total | $2.53 unit $5,062 total | $2.10 unit $10,518 total | $2.01 unit $20,114 total |
| 256pp | $26.79 unit $2,679 total | $7.67 unit $3,834 total | $5.20 unit $5,197 total | $4.09 unit $8,178 total | $3.27 unit $16,346 total | $3.12 unit $31,176 total |
- Cover: 157 gsm / 58 lb coated cover paper with matte lamination wrapped on 2.5 mm thickness greybeard
- Interior: 157 gsm / 106 lb coated text paper
- Please note that all prices are EXW (Ex Works) our facility and do not include shipping costs.
Do you print museum-quality books and gallery catalogs?
Yes. Museum catalogs, gallery publications, and exhibition books are a core part of what we do. We print them with GMG-proofed offset color at 200 to 220 LPI for accurate reproduction, on art or uncoated stock, with Smyth-sewn hardcover or sewn perfect-bound softcover. Short runs from 100 copies suit a single show or exhibition.
Can you print a hardcover art book?
Yes. Smyth-sewn casebound hardcover is our recommended format for monographs and gallery books, with cloth covers, foil stamping, and slipcases available. For full details on hardcover construction and options, see our hardcover book printing page.
What is the MOQ for art book printing?
Our minimum order quantity is 100 copies, so a small first edition or numbered limited run is always possible. That said, offset printing is far more cost-effective at higher volumes. For a typical 8.5 × 11 inch, 100-page hardcover or paperback, the per-copy price at 500 copies can be roughly a third of the 100-copy price, with 1,000 copies lower still. This is where most of our publishing, gallery, and crowdfunding clients place their orders. We are happy to quote several quantities side by side so you can compare.
Can you do a short-run or limited edition?
Yes. We specialise in short-run art book printing from 100 copies, which suits small presses, galleries, and independent artists. For limited editions we can add painted or sprayed edges, foil stamping, and individually numbered copies.
How long will it take to print my art book?
The total timeline from file approval to delivery is typically 5 to 9 weeks. Production takes 1 to 2 weeks for paperback art books and around 3 weeks for hardcover art books. Sea freight to the US takes 4 to 6 weeks, or 8 to 15 days by air. Sea shipments to the US can ship DDP; shipping to Canada, the UK, Europe, and Australia does not include local GST or VAT.
How do I prepare my files for printing?
Supply a print-ready PDF with all images at 300 PPI or higher at final print size, fonts embedded, and 3 mm bleed. Our presses run at 200 to 220 LPI, so high-resolution files reproduce fine detail beautifully.
Can I order a proof before printing the entire run?
Yes. After our team checks your files, we send a free digital PDF proof for you to confirm the layout. If you would like to check physical samples before the full run, we offer a hard proof for color (matching final mass production to around 95%) and a dummy for paper and binding. Physical samples are subject to a sample fee, which we confirm with your quote.
What Our Clients Say
Real feedback from businesses who trust QinPrinting
Let's Talk
Designing and printing your own high-end art book—either as a premium portfolio, catalog of works, or for distribution and sale—is always as challenging as it is satisfying to complete. But at QinPrinting, we pride ourselves on our customer service and helpfulness as much as our deep knowledge of every aspect of printing technology. Get in touch today to discuss your individual needs or to request a no-obligation quote. We can’t wait to help you make your custom art book the most breath-taking yet!
