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Memoir Book printing
Memoir Printing Instant Quote
Hardcover and Paperback Memoir Books
While dozens of binding options for books exist, the two most suited to memoir books are “perfect bound” — the industry term for what is more commonly known as a paperback or softcover — and hardcover, also called hardback or hard case binding. Paperbacks are cheaper and quicker to produce, but hardcovers look more professional and authoritative, have higher perceived value, and are more durable.
Perfect bound memoirs: With a paperback book, the cover is a single sheet of heavier paper or cardstock, coated on one side for printing, which wraps around the interior pages to form a front cover, a spine area, and a back cover. The interior pages are collated in a block, glued together down one side and then glued into the cover along the spine with a strong, flexible adhesive. Finally, the cover and pages are all trimmed to be uniform, creating the “perfect” binding.
Hardcover bound memoirs: Hardcovers have a cardboard cover wrapped in printed paper. The interior pages are sewn together in folded batches, known as signatures, and then collated and sewn and glued into the casing. The inside of the covers at the front and back are glued onto the “end papers”, which are then positioned between the covers and the first and last pages of the interior.
Book Special Fnishes Options
Here are some popular surface finishes that can enhance your memoir book’s appearance and durability:
Shiny and reflective, perfect for vibrant graphics and photos.
Glossy highlights on specific areas for a striking contrast.
Smooth and non-reflective for a simple yet professional design.
Similar to matte lamination, but the resulting surface has a delightful, almost velvet feel.
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.
Uses a custom-made metal die to cut paper into specific shapes.
A row of small holes that makes it easy to tear off part of the paper.
A built-in tape that allows the paper to be opened easily and cleanly by pulling along the strip.
Coated Paper vs. Uncoated Paper
Use uncoated paper for a classic, narrative-driven memoir with minimal imagery.
Choose coated paper (especially matte) if your memoir includes a lot of family photos, scanned letters, or archival materials.
Uncoated Paper
Uncoated Paper (Matte / Natural Finish)
Best for: A classic, literary feel and easy readability
- Soft, natural texture: Offers a traditional, book-like experience—perfect for storytelling and personal reflection.
- Great for text-heavy layouts: The surface reduces glare and enhances readability, even under various lighting conditions.
- Writable surface: Excellent if you want readers to annotate or gift a signed copy.
- Drawback: Not suitable for high-saturation images; colors may appear slightly muted.
| GSM / lb | 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 |
Coated Paper
Best for: Memoirs with lots of photos, documents, or visual elements
- Crisp image reproduction: Enhances photo quality and detail, making it ideal for image-rich memoirs.
- Polished appearance: Feels more “premium,” especially with matte coating for a modern look.
- Less absorbent: Ink won’t smudge, but also not ideal for handwritten notes or personalization.
| 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 | - |
Black-and-White vs Full Color Memoir Book Printing
When you decide to print a memoir book, you can choose to have the interior printed in either full color or in black and white. This option affects both the appearance and the pricing of your book. When making your decision, it is critical to grasp both the procedure and the advantages of each option.
Full color memoir printing is typically used for shorter memoirs that include photographs, combining images and text to create vivid and engaging scenes. It adds value to the book, piques the reader’s interest, and brings the narrative to life.
Black-and-white memoir printing is generally chosen for longer memoirs that focus solely on text, using words to convey stories. In most cases, the interior of a black-and-white memoir book is uncoated paper. Black-and-white printing is also more economical than full color printing.
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
The most popular book sizes for memoirs are:
- 5.5″ x 8.5″
- 6.0″ x 9.0″
However, you are not limited to only these options; it is completely possible to customize the size of your memoir book. We are more than happy to advise you about any practical and technical requirements if you would like a non-standard size for your book.
How much it costs to print your memoirs depends on several factors such as the number of pages and copies, the paper stock you choose, and the binding style. The most popular bindings for most memoirs are paperback (also called perfect bound) and hardcover.
In the meantime, you can get a ballpark idea of the cost of printing your memoir book from the charts below:
Softcover Memoir Book Printing Price Chart (5.5″ x 8.5″)
| Quantity | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs | 5000pcs | 10000pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80pp | $11.27 each $1,127 total | $3.17 each $1,584 total | $2.33 each $2,330 total | $1.96 each $3,912 total | $1.67 each $8,345 total | $1.60 each $15,956 total |
| 112pp | $14.09 each $1,409 total | $3.98 each $1,989 total | $2.85 each $2,848 total | $2.34 each $4,678 total | $1.96 each $9,802 total | $1.87 each $18,728 total |
| 192pp | $21.15 each $2,115 total | $6.00 each $3,000 total | $4.14 each $4,138 total | $3.31 each $6,619 total | $2.69 each $13,432 total | $2.56 each $25,633 total |
- Cover: 250 gsm / 92 lb coated cover paper with matte lamination
- Interior: 100 gsm / 67 lb uncoated text paper
Hardcover Memoir Book Printing Price Chart (6″ x 9″)
| Quantity | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs | 5000pcs | 10000pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80pp | $10.60 each $1,060 total | $2.86 each $1,429 total | $2.04 each $2,039 total | $1.70 each $3,392 total | $1.44 each $7,175 total | $1.37 each $13,706 total |
| 128pp | $14.53 each $1,453 total | $3.93 each $1,966 total | $2.72 each $2,723 total | $2.18 each $4,357 total | $1.77 each $8,864 total | $1.69 each $16,894 total |
| 176pp | $18.45 each $1,845 total | $5.01 each $2,503 total | $3.38 each $3,384 total | $2.65 each $5,297 total | $2.11 each $10,553 total | $2.01 each $20,082 total |
- Cover: 250 gsm / 92 lb coated cover paper with matte lamination
- Interior: 100 gsm / 67 lb uncoated text paper
Try our easy and convenient online Printing Cost Calculator.
You can utilize our online quote calculator to obtain EXW prices and click “Shipping Cost” button to get the shipping cost. Alternatively, you can reach out to us directly through the Contact Us form or by sending your printing requirements via email at [email protected].
Upon receiving your request, we’ll promptly provide you with a quote and proceed to the next step accordingly.
Feel free to share your artwork with us through email, Sprend, or WeTransfer to [email protected]. Or send us a share link via Dropbox or Google Drive.
For printing purposes, we require artwork in high-resolution PDF format, which includes 0.125 inches / 3 mm bleed.
Offset printing uses the CMYK color space.
You can get acquainted with our quality, products, and paper stocks by ordering a sample pack from here.
We offer free design templates for book formats along with an expert artwork file-checking service.
You can download on this page.
Why Print Your Memoir at QinPrinting?
At QinPrinting, we specialize in luxury memoir printing, offering high-quality finishes, precise color matching, and premium materials. We aim to create visually stunning memoirs that captivate readers and showcase your work with elegance and sophistication.
25+ Years of Expertise
Over two decades of experience in printing high-quality children’s books.
Premium Quality Materials
Glossy or matte paper, durable bindings, and vibrant color reproduction.
Customizable Options
Choose paper weight, cover finish, and binding type to suit your vision.
Expert Support
Dedicated team offering assistance throughout the entire printing process.
What Our Clients Say
We have had a fantastic experience in dealing with QinPrinting.
The quality of the catalogues is far superior than that printed locally and the pricing was a lot more attractive.
Daniel was responsive, patient, and incredibly helpful throughout the process. He answered my questions, guided me through the technical details, and made sure everything was correct before printing.
The final product exceeded my expectations. The print quality is beautiful, the colors are vibrant, and the cards and rigid box feel truly premium. As a first-time deck creator, I appreciated the attention to detail and support every step of the way.
An added bonus, my shipment came in two weeks earlier than expected.
I am extremely happy with the result and would gladly work with QinPrinting again. Highly recommended.
Tarot of the Blue Rose.
I also sincerely appreciate your patience and willingness to accommodate my detailed review requests, guiding me until I was completely satisfied. Since this was my very first time submitting design data, there were challenging moments where my knowledge fell short, but it all turned out to be a wonderful learning experience.
Big thanks to my main contact, the designers, and the entire factory team for your amazing support. I look forward to working with you all again for the upcoming English version!
I quickly sent enquiries to printers in Singapore and Malaysia. I went down to local printing shops over the weekend. Some told me to just staple my books, while some took weeks to reply, and most did not even give a quotation based on what I enquired.
I was disheartened and seriously considering just publishing ebooks and giving up my paperback dream. As a last leap of faith, I filled in Qin Printing's quotation form on a Saturday evening. A few hours later, I received a reply from Ms Mia Wang.
Mia is one of the most professional and meticulous people I have worked with. She answered every single one of the questions I posed, anticipated others before I even asked, and her promptness was amazing. As a client, it is great when queries get answered even on a Sunday. But as a older woman to a younger lady, I really hope she gets the rest she needs.
The books came very well packed, beautifully printed and right before my nearly impossible deadline because the team was so efficient and I could tell they kept my timeline in mind.
I just sold my first order of my paperbacks today when the request for review come into my inbox. What apt timing. 🙂
Thank you Mia and the hardworking and dedicated team at Qin. I am hoping I will get to print my second and further orders with you.
Keep up the wonderful work! But please, take care and rest well too!
Let's Talk!
Designing and printing your memoirs — either as an heirloom for your family and a gift for your friends, or to self-publish and sell commercially — is always an enriching and satisfying project to complete. Get in touch today to discuss your needs or to ask for a no-obligation quote. We can’t wait to help you make your memoir book something of which you and your family can be truly proud for generations to come!
