How much does it cost to print an art book in 2025? Whether you’re a self-publishing artist, an exhibition curator, or a special edition designer, understanding the printing costs of an art book is key to managing your budget and quickening the creation process.
- For a 100-page art book, printing costs typically range from $1.26 to $5.10 per copy for paperback and $2.21 to $7.57 per copy for hardcover.
- A 200-page edition may cost between $2.37 and $8.95 (paperback) and $3.41 to $12.38 (hardcover).
Prices vary by size, binding type, page count, and quantity. In the tables below, you will find information regarding how these different factors affect printing costs.
Art Book Printing Specifications
To help you understand art book printing prices more clearly, the pricing examples in this guide are based on our standard production specifications. These reflect real-world formats commonly used by artists, designers, and publishers.
- Cover: 300 gsm matte art paper with matte lamination (outside);
- Interior: 157 gsm matte art paper;
- Binding: Sewn and perfect bound.
- Cover: 157 gsm matte art paper laminated and mounted on 2.5 mm greyboard;
- End Sheets: 140 gsm blank offset paper;
- Interior: 157 gsm matte art paper;
- Binding: Smyth-sewn and casebound.
All prices shown are based on EXW (Ex Works) terms from our Shanghai printing facility and exclude shipping costs.
Art Book Printing Prices by Size
Large-size art books are growing in popularity, especially for showcasing full-page artwork and photography. Below, we provide pricing tables for the most commonly requested art book sizes, using economical specifications for page count and materials. These reference prices will help you better plan your project and budget.
8.5" x 11" Art Book (Paperback)
This standard portrait size offers a practical and budget-friendly option for softcover art books. It provides enough space to showcase artwork clearly while keeping production costs manageable.
| Quantity | 96 pages | 192 pages | 288 pages | 384 pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $7.84 (unit), $784 (total) |
$14.31 (unit), $1,431 (total) |
$20.79 (unit), $2,079 (total) |
$25.77 (unit), $2,577 (total) |
| 500 copies | $2.31 (unit), $1,155 (total) |
$4.33 (unit), $2,163 (total) |
$6.34 (unit), $3,170 (total) |
$8.03 (unit), $4,013 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $1.53 (unit), $1,533 (total) |
$2.91 (unit), $2,905 (total) |
$4.25 (unit), $4,254 (total) |
$5.40 (unit), $5,396 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $1.21 (unit), $2,416 (total) |
$2.28 (unit), $4,560 (total) |
$3.35 (unit), $6,704 (total) |
$4.26 (unit), $8,516 (total) |
| 3000 copies | $1.10 (unit), $3,312 (total) |
$2.09 (unit), $6,270 (total) |
$3.08 (unit), $9,226 (total) |
$3.91 (unit), $11,728 (total) |
11" x 11" Art Book (Paperback)
This square format brings a modern, balanced look that works especially well for visual-heavy content. Its size makes it a popular choice for photography and design books seeking a clean and contemporary layout.
| Quantity | 96 pages | 192 pages | 288 pages | 384 pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $9.83 (unit), $983 (total) |
$18.22 (unit), $1,822 (total) |
$26.60 (unit), $2,660 (total) |
$33.08 (unit), $3,308 (total) |
| 500 copies | $2.93 (unit), $1,463 (total) |
$5.53 (unit), $2,764 (total) |
$8.17 (unit), $4,085 (total) |
$10.30 (unit), $5,149 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $1.97 (unit), $1,973 (total) |
$3.72 (unit), $3,716 (total) |
$5.48 (unit), $5,479 (total) |
$6.95 (unit), $6,945 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $1.56 (unit), $3,121 (total) |
$2.94 (unit), $5,880 (total) |
$4.33 (unit), $8,663 (total) |
$5.51 (unit), $11,017 (total) |
| 3000 copies | $1.43 (unit), $4,277 (total) |
$2.69 (unit), $8,076 (total) |
$3.97 (unit), $11,899 (total) |
$5.06 (unit), $15,168 (total) |
8.5" x 11" Art Book (Hardcover)
A durable and professional option, this hardcover size is ideal for art books to excel in both function and form. It is often chosen for limited editions and gallery-quality presentations.
| Quantity | 96 pages | 192 pages | 288 pages | 384 pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $12.64 (unit), $1,264 (total) |
$21.11 (unit), $2,111 (total) |
$29.58 (unit), $2,958 (total) |
$36.46 (unit), $3,646 (total) |
| 500 copies | $3.56 (unit), $1,782 (total) |
$5.99 (unit), $2,993 (total) |
$8.46 (unit), $4,230 (total) |
$10.48 (unit), $5,242 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.58 (unit), $2,580 (total) |
$4.13 (unit), $4,127 (total) |
$5.70 (unit), $5,699 (total) |
$6.99 (unit), $6,986 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.14 (unit), $4,280 (total) |
$3.30 (unit), $6,600 (total) |
$4.46 (unit), $8,918 (total) |
$5.42 (unit), $10,849 (total) |
| 3000 copies | $1.96 (unit), $5,873 (total) |
$2.95 (unit), $8,851 (total) |
$3.95 (unit), $11,857 (total) |
$4.77 (unit), $14,326 (total) |
11" x 11" Art Book (Hardcover)
This upscale square format’s stunning visual presence and feel makes it an excellent choice for artists, curators, and publishers aiming to create an impactful hardcover book.
| Quantity | 96 pages | 192 pages | 288 pages | 384 pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $16.18 (unit), $1,618 (total) |
$27.36 (unit), $2,736 (total) |
$38.53 (unit), $3,853 (total) |
$47.64 (unit), $4,764 (total) |
| 500 copies | $4.74 (unit), $2,370 (total) |
$7.97 (unit), $3,986 (total) |
$11.25 (unit), $5,627 (total) |
$13.95 (unit), $6,977 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $3.45 (unit), $3,448 (total) |
$5.55 (unit), $5,552 (total) |
$7.65 (unit), $7,654 (total) |
$9.41 (unit), $9,409 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.89 (unit), $5,770 (total) |
$4.46 (unit), $8,926 (total) |
$6.04 (unit), $12,083 (total) |
$7.36 (unit), $14,714 (total) |
| 3000 copies | $2.64 (unit), $7,927 (total) |
$4.01 (unit), $12,025 (total) |
$5.37 (unit), $16,122 (total) |
$6.51 (unit), $19,521 (total) |
Price Comparison by Page Count
To help you compare costs more effectively, we’ve also broken down art book printing prices by page count. The following section shows how quantity, size, and binding type can impact the budget for your project, be it a shorter catalogue or an extensive collection.
100 pages Paperback Art Book
A compact softcover option suitable for light content, this format is great for small exhibitions, zines, or short artist portfolios.
| Quantity | 7.25" x 10" | 8.5" x 11" | 11" x 11" | 12" x 12" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $8.06 (unit), $806 (total) |
$8.43 (unit), $843 (total) |
$10.78 (unit), $1,078 (total) |
$15.39 (unit), $1,539 (total) |
| 500 copies | $2.31 (unit), $1,157 (total) |
$2.47 (unit), $1,236 (total) |
$3.18 (unit), $1,591 (total) |
$4.73 (unit), $2,365 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $1.50 (unit), $1,502 (total) |
$1.63 (unit), $1,632 (total) |
$2.13 (unit), $2,125 (total) |
$3.23 (unit), $3,233 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $1.15 (unit), $2,298 (total) |
$1.27 (unit), $2,547 (total) |
$1.66 (unit), $3,318 (total) |
$2.56 (unit), $5,118 (total) |
200 pages Paperback Art Book
This format offers a balanced length for more in-depth projects while still balancing production costs. It is perfect for themed collections or collaborative works.
| Quantity | 7.25" x 10" | 8.5" x 11" | 11" x 11" | 12" x 12" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $14.32 (unit), $1,432 (total) |
$14.94 (unit), $1,494 (total) |
$20.11 (unit), $2,011 (total) |
$27.28 (unit), $2,728 (total) |
| 500 copies | $4.23 (unit), $2,115 (total) |
$4.51 (unit), $2,257 (total) |
$6.04 (unit), $3,021 (total) |
$8.67 (unit), $4,336 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.80 (unit), $2,798 (total) |
$3.04 (unit), $3,039 (total) |
$4.02 (unit), $4,020 (total) |
$5.99 (unit), $5,986 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.15 (unit), $4,292 (total) |
$2.38 (unit), $4,755 (total) |
$3.14 (unit), $6,277 (total) |
$4.83 (unit), $9,656 (total) |
100 pages Hardcover Art Book
This hardcover edition provides a durable, professional finish, and is ideal for showcasing a selection of works in a premium way.
| Quantity | 7.25" x 10" | 8.5" x 11" | 11" x 11" | 12" x 12" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $12.87 (unit), $1,287 (total) |
$13.41 (unit), $1,341 (total) |
$17.42 (unit), $1,742 (total) |
$22.36 (unit), $2,236 (total) |
| 500 copies | $3.51 (unit), $1,756 (total) |
$3.76 (unit), $1,878 (total) |
$5.05 (unit), $2,527 (total) |
$6.90 (unit), $3,451 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.49 (unit), $2,485 (total) |
$2.69 (unit), $2,692 (total) |
$3.63 (unit), $3,625 (total) |
$5.03 (unit), $5,027 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.02 (unit), $4,042 (total) |
$2.21 (unit), $4,423 (total) |
$3.00 (unit), $5,991 (total) |
$4.20 (unit), $8,404 (total) |
200 pages Hardcover Art Book
This longer art book strikes a balance between content depth and visual presentation, making it a popular choice for serious collectors or curated gallery publications.
| Quantity | 7.25" x 10" | 8.5" x 11" | 11" x 11" | 12" x 12" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $21.05 (unit), $2,105 (total) |
$21.93 (unit), $2,193 (total) |
$29.86 (unit), $2,986 (total) |
$37.92 (unit), $3,792 (total) |
| 500 copies | $5.82 (unit), $2,908 (total) |
$6.21 (unit), $3,107 (total) |
$8.60 (unit), $4,300 (total) |
$11.65 (unit), $5,823 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $3.95 (unit), $3,946 (total) |
$4.28 (unit), $4,281 (total) |
$5.91 (unit), $5,908 (total) |
$8.23 (unit), $8,232 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $3.10 (unit), $6,197 (total) |
$3.41 (unit), $6,811 (total) |
$4.68 (unit), $9,368 (total) |
$6.70 (unit), $13,391 (total) |
Cloth vs Faux Leather vs Printed Covers: Cost Comparison
Rather than printed covers, many hardcover art books use cloth or faux leather wrapped over gray board to attain a professional appearance. To help you compare costs, the following table shows reference prices for different cover materials — cloth, faux leather, and printed paper — based on a 160-page count and an 8.5″ x 11″ size with hardcover binding.
| Quantity | Cloth cover | Faux leather cover | Printed paper cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 copies | $5.82 (unit), $2,909 (total) |
$5.69 (unit), $2,846 (total) |
$5.18 (unit), $2,589 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $4.22 (unit), $4,222 (total) |
$4.11 (unit), $4,111 (total) |
$3.61 (unit), $3,612 (total) |
With Foil vs Without Foil: Cost Comparison
Foil stamping is a popular way to enhance hardcover art books, especially on the front cover or spine. The table below outlines the cost difference between no foil, gold/silver foil, and other foil colors for an 8.5″ x 11″ softcover book with 160 sewn pages. Each foil area is under 5.9″ × 1.18″.
| Quantity | Without Foil | Gold or Silver Foil | Other Foil Colors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 copies | $5.18 (unit), $2,589 (total) |
$5.30 (unit), $2,651 (total) |
$5.39 (unit), $2,696 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $3.61 (unit), $3,612 (total) |
$3.70 (unit), $3,704 (total) |
$3.75 (unit), $3,749 (total) |
Art Book Printing FAQs
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for art book printing?
Our minimum order quantity is 100 copies.
Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?
Yes! We highly recommend ordering a set of hard proofs to check color accuracy as well as a dummy book to review the materials and binding style. The hard proof color accuracy is approximately 95% accurate to the final printed books.
Can you print photos on cloth covers?
Yes, we can print directly onto cloth covers. However, this method is more expensive, and the image quality is less sharp and vibrant compared to printing on coated paper.
How long does production take?
Production time depends on the binding style:
- Paperback: about 1 week after proof approval
- Wire-O binding: 2–3 weeks
- Hardcover: approximately 3 weeks
These estimates are not inclusive of shipping time, whose timeframe depends on the destination.
What is the maximum size for art books?
For machine-bound books, we can print books up to to 320 mm (width) × 420mm (height). For hand-bound books, the maximum is 350 mm (width) × 420 mm (height)
Hand-bound books typically take 1–2 weeks longer in production than machine-bound books.
Can I include a flap on interior pages?
Yes, interior flaps are possible. Please ensure the flap page is at least 0.15″ narrower than the book’s full width to avoid being trimmed during cutting.
Need an exact quote? Use our Instant Quote Tool to calculate your custom art book printing cost.
