Planning to print a hardcover board book in 2025? Be sure to know the details before you commit. Hardcover board books offer exceptional durability and clean visuals, making them suitable for toddlers, education, special editions, and more. Compared to standard self-cover board books, hardcover editions feature a rigid gray board case that protects the inner pages and enhances the book’s shelf appeal. This printing guide is ideal for publishers, self-publishers, and creators looking for a reliable hardcover board book printing cost breakdown in 2025.
In this guide, we break down the costs of printing hardcover board books by size, page count, and order quantity. Prices typically range from $1.47 (6″ x 6″, 16 pages, 5000 copies) to $8.91 (8″ x 8″, 32 pages, 200 copies) per copy, depending on your custom specifications. Use the tables below to plan your budget and compare options with confidence.
- Cover: 157gsm art paper with gloss or matte lamination wrapped on 3mm gray board;
- Interior: two sheets of 350gsm C1S paper mounted together with gloss or matte lamination on all pages;
- Hardcover board book binding, rounded corners.
Let’s begin by looking at how the printing cost varies based on the most common board book sizes. This will help you choose the ideal format for your project.
Hardcover Board Book Printing Costs by Size
Compare pricing tables for popular square sizes — from 6″ x 6″ to 8″ x 8″ — to estimate your budget more accurately. Prices for each size also depend on the book’s page count and order quantity.
6" x 6" Price Table
| Copies | 16pp | 20pp | 24pp | 28pp | 32pp | 36pp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $10.14 (unit), $1,014 (total) |
$10.62 (unit), $1,062 (total) |
$10.79 (unit), $1,079 (total) |
$12.31 (unit), $1,231 (total) |
$12.81 (unit), $1,281 (total) |
$12.97 (unit), $1,297 (total) |
| 500 copies | $2.638 (unit), $1,319 (total) |
$2.836 (unit), $1,418 (total) |
$2.886 (unit), $1,443 (total) |
$3.302 (unit), $1,651 (total) |
$3.56 (unit), $1,780 (total) |
$3.66 (unit), $1,830 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.007 (unit), $2,007 (total) |
$2.226 (unit), $2,226 (total) |
$2.309 (unit), $2,309 (total) |
$2.587 (unit), $2,587 (total) |
$2.806 (unit), $2,806 (total) |
$2.89 (unit), $2,890 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $1.762 (unit), $3,524 (total) |
$1.962 (unit), $3,924 (total) |
$2.037 (unit), $4,075 (total) |
$2.243 (unit), $4,486 (total) |
$2.443 (unit), $4,885 (total) |
$2.519 (unit), $5,038 (total) |
| 5000 copies | $1.4746 (unit), $7,373 (total) |
$1.6542 (unit), $8,271 (total) |
$1.7144 (unit), $8,572 (total) |
$1.8614 (unit), $9,307 (total) |
$2.041 (unit), $10,205 (total) |
$2.1012 (unit), $10,506 (total) |
7" x 7" Price Table
| Quantity | 16pp | 20pp | 24pp | 28pp | 32pp | 36pp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $10.59 (unit), $1,059 (total) |
$10.14 (unit), $1,014 (total) |
$11.34 (unit), $1,134 (total) |
$12.98 (unit), $1,298 (total) |
$12.54 (unit), $1,254 (total) |
$13.74 (unit), $1,374 (total) |
| 500 copies | $2.84 (unit), $1,422 (total) |
$2.73 (unit), $1,366 (total) |
$3.16 (unit), $1,579 (total) |
$3.62 (unit), $1,810 (total) |
$3.56 (unit), $1,778 (total) |
$4.04 (unit), $2,018 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.21 (unit), $2,214 (total) |
$2.19 (unit), $2,188 (total) |
$2.57 (unit), $2,568 (total) |
$2.88 (unit), $2,881 (total) |
$2.85 (unit), $2,854 (total) |
$3.24 (unit), $3,235 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $1.94 (unit), $3,886 (total) |
$1.94 (unit), $3,873 (total) |
$2.27 (unit), $4,538 (total) |
$2.52 (unit), $5,030 (total) |
$2.51 (unit), $5,016 (total) |
$2.84 (unit), $5,680 (total) |
| 5000 copies | $1.61 (unit), $8,029 (total) |
$1.64 (unit), $8,223 (total) |
$1.93 (unit), $9,664 (total) |
$2.10 (unit), $10,522 (total) |
$2.11 (unit), $10,536 (total) |
$2.40 (unit), $11,976 (total) |
8" x 8" Price Table
| Quantity | 16pp | 20pp | 24pp | 28pp | 32pp | 36pp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $11.49 (unit), $1,149 (total) |
$13.55 (unit), $1,355 (total) |
$13.82 (unit), $1,382 (total) |
$15.90 (unit), $1,590 (total) |
$16.16 (unit), $1,616 (total) |
$18.23 (unit), $1,823 (total) |
| 500 copies | $3.23 (unit), $1,616 (total) |
$3.77 (unit), $1,886 (total) |
$3.94 (unit), $1,969 (total) |
$4.52 (unit), $2,259 (total) |
$4.74 (unit), $2,368 (total) |
$5.32 (unit), $2,662 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.54 (unit), $2,535 (total) |
$2.93 (unit), $2,928 (total) |
$3.13 (unit), $3,129 (total) |
$3.52 (unit), $3,522 (total) |
$3.72 (unit), $3,723 (total) |
$4.12 (unit), $4,116 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.24 (unit), $4,470 (total) |
$2.53 (unit), $5,059 (total) |
$2.72 (unit), $5,447 (total) |
$3.03 (unit), $6,062 (total) |
$3.23 (unit), $6,450 (total) |
$3.52 (unit), $7,039 (total) |
| 5000 copies | $1.91 (unit), $9,527 (total) |
$2.13 (unit), $10,645 (total) |
$2.31 (unit), $11,550 (total) |
$2.53 (unit), $12,646 (total) |
$2.71 (unit), $13,549 (total) |
$2.93 (unit), $14,669 (total) |
Hardcover Board Book Printing Costs by Page Count
See how adding more pages to your board book affects printing costs across the three standard sizes.
24 Pages
| Quantity | 6" x 6" | 7" x 7" | 8" x 8" |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $10.79 (unit), $1,079 (total) |
$11.34 (unit), $1,134 (total) |
$13.82 (unit), $1,382 (total) |
| 500 copies | $2.89 (unit), $1,443 (total) |
$3.16 (unit), $1,579 (total) |
$3.94 (unit), $1,969 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.31 (unit), $2,309 (total) |
$2.57 (unit), $2,568 (total) |
$3.13 (unit), $3,129 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.04 (unit), $4,075 (total) |
$2.27 (unit), $4,538 (total) |
$2.72 (unit), $5,447 (total) |
| 5000 copies | $1.71 (unit), $8,572 (total) |
$1.93 (unit), $9,664 (total) |
$2.31 (unit), $11,550 (total) |
26 Pages
| Quantity | 6" x 6" | 7" x 7" | 8" x 8" |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $12.31 (unit), $1,231 (total) |
$12.98 (unit), $1,298 (total) |
$15.90 (unit), $1,590 (total) |
| 500 copies | $3.30 (unit), $1,651 (total) |
$3.62 (unit), $1,810 (total) |
$4.52 (unit), $2,259 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.59 (unit), $2,587 (total) |
$2.88 (unit), $2,881 (total) |
$3.52 (unit), $3,522 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.24 (unit), $4,486 (total) |
$2.52 (unit), $5,030 (total) |
$3.03 (unit), $6,062 (total) |
| 5000 copies | $1.86 (unit), $9,307 (total) |
$2.10 (unit), $10,522 (total) |
$2.53 (unit), $12,646 (total) |
28 Pages
| Quantity | 6" x 6" | 7" x 7" | 8" x 8" |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $12.31 (unit), $1,231 (total) |
$12.98 (unit), $1,298 (total) |
$15.90 (unit), $1,590 (total) |
| 500 copies | $3.30 (unit), $1,651 (total) |
$3.62 (unit), $1,810 (total) |
$4.52 (unit), $2,259 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.59 (unit), $2,587 (total) |
$2.88 (unit), $2,881 (total) |
$3.52 (unit), $3,522 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.24 (unit), $4,486 (total) |
$2.52 (unit), $5,030 (total) |
$3.03 (unit), $6,062 (total) |
| 5000 copies | $1.86 (unit), $9,307 (total) |
$2.10 (unit), $10,522 (total) |
$2.53 (unit), $12,646 (total) |
30 Pages
| Quantity | 6" x 6" | 7" x 7" | 8" x 8" |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $12.81 (unit), $1,281 (total) |
$12.54 (unit), $1,254 (total) |
$16.16 (unit), $1,616 (total) |
| 500 copies | $3.56 (unit), $1,780 (total) |
$3.56 (unit), $1,778 (total) |
$4.74 (unit), $2,368 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.81 (unit), $2,806 (total) |
$2.85 (unit), $2,854 (total) |
$3.72 (unit), $3,723 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.44 (unit), $4,885 (total) |
$2.51 (unit), $5,016 (total) |
$3.23 (unit), $6,450 (total) |
| 5000 copies | $2.04 (unit), $10,205 (total) |
$2.11 (unit), $10,536 (total) |
$2.71 (unit), $13,549 (total) |
32 Pages
| Quantity | 6" x 6" | 7" x 7" | 8" x 8" |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $12.81 (unit), $1,281 (total) |
$12.54 (unit), $1,254 (total) |
$16.16 (unit), $1,616 (total) |
| 500 copies | $3.56 (unit), $1,780 (total) |
$3.56 (unit), $1,778 (total) |
$4.74 (unit), $2,368 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.81 (unit), $2,806 (total) |
$2.85 (unit), $2,854 (total) |
$3.72 (unit), $3,723 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.44 (unit), $4,885 (total) |
$2.51 (unit), $5,016 (total) |
$3.23 (unit), $6,450 (total) |
| 5000 copies | $2.04 (unit), $10,205 (total) |
$2.11 (unit), $10,536 (total) |
$2.71 (unit), $13,549 (total) |
36 Pages
| Quantity | 6" x 6" | 7" x 7" | 8" x 8" |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $12.97 (unit), $1,297 (total) |
$13.74 (unit), $1,374 (total) |
$18.23 (unit), $1,823 (total) |
| 500 copies | $3.66 (unit), $1,830 (total) |
$4.04 (unit), $2,018 (total) |
$5.32 (unit), $2,662 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.89 (unit), $2,890 (total) |
$3.24 (unit), $3,235 (total) |
$4.12 (unit), $4,116 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.52 (unit), $5,038 (total) |
$2.84 (unit), $5,680 (total) |
$3.55 (unit), $7,093 (total) |
| 5000 copies | $2.10 (unit), $10,506 (total) |
$2.40 (unit), $11,976 (total) |
$2.93 (unit), $14,669 (total) |
What Is a Hardcover Board Book?
A hardcover board book is a printed cover wrapped around thick gray board, giving it a rigid, durable outer case. Inside, each page is made by mounting two sheets of coated one-side (C1S) paper together for extra thickness. Unlike standard self-cover board books, where the cover and pages use the same material, hardcover board books include a separate hard cover for a more premium look and feel. Most board books come with rounded corners for added safety, given that they are often designed for children.
Rounded vs Square Corners: Which to Choose?
Most hardcover board books are with rounded interior corners for safety purposes, as well as a unique look. The hardcover case can be either rounded or square, depending on your design. Rounded hardcover corners cost slightly more — an additional $0.34 per book — due to the extra processing required.
Hardcover vs Self-Cover Board Book Printing Costs
Use these side-by-side tables to decide whether a hardcover upgrade fits your budget.
6" x 6", 32 Pages
| Quantity | Hardcover board book | Self-cover board book |
|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $12.81 (unit), $1,281 (total) |
$9.73 (unit), $973 (total) |
| 500 copies | $3.56 (unit), $1,780 (total) |
$2.57 (unit), $1,283 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.81 (unit), $2,806 (total) |
$1.96 (unit), $1,961 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.44 (unit), $4,885 (total) |
$1.67 (unit), $3,339 (total) |
| 5000 copies | $2.04 (unit), $10,205 (total) |
$1.33 (unit), $6,654 (total) |
7" x 7", 32 Pages
| Quantity | Hardcover board book | Self-cover board book |
|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $12.54 (unit), $1,254 (total) |
$10.36 (unit), $1,036 (total) |
| 500 copies | $3.56 (unit), $1,778 (total) |
$2.86 (unit), $1,432 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $2.85 (unit), $2,854 (total) |
$2.24 (unit), $2,236 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $2.51 (unit), $5,016 (total) |
$1.91 (unit), $3,820 (total) |
| 5000 copies | $2.11 (unit), $10,536 (total) |
$1.55 (unit), $7,753 (total) |
8" x 8", 32 Pages
| Quantity | Hardcover board book | Self-cover board book |
|---|---|---|
| 100 copies | $16.16 (unit), $1,616 (total) |
$12.70 (unit), $1,270 (total) |
| 500 copies | $4.74 (unit), $2,368 (total) |
$3.55 (unit), $1,774 (total) |
| 1000 copies | $3.72 (unit), $3,723 (total) |
$2.71 (unit), $2,706 (total) |
| 2000 copies | $3.23 (unit), $6,450 (total) |
$2.27 (unit), $4,549 (total) |
| 5000 copies | $2.71 (unit), $13,549 (total) |
$1.84 (unit), $9,212 (total) |
Hardcover Board Book Printing — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical production time for hardcover board books?
It takes around 3 weeks to produce hardcover board books after the proofs are approved.
Can I print a hardcover board book with fewer than 16 pages?
Yes, you can. The minimum interior page count is 8 pages.
Can I order a dummy or prototype before full production?
Yes! You can order a dummy or a prototype before mass production.
How is a hardcover board book different from a regular board book?
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for hardcover board book printing?
Our MOQ is 100 copies. However, at 500 copies or more, the unit price for a single book is lower, making it more cost-effective.
Can I print a hardcover board book with rounded corners?
Yes, the interior and hardcover can both have rounded corners.
Can I include die-cut shapes or flaps in my hardcover board book?
Yes, we offer custom options such as die-cut shapes, flaps, and even lift-the-flap interactivity. Just let us know your design needs.
