How Much Does It Cost to Print a Book?
Quick Answer: For orders of 200–3,000 copies delivered to the USA, softcover books cost $0.89–$17.00 per book, hardcover books $1.73–$24.00, and board books $1.06–$7.70—depending on page count, size, and quantity. All prices on this page are DDP (shipping and duties included). See detailed pricing below.
Book printing costs depend on several factors: binding type, page count, trim size, paper stock, cover finish, and order quantity. The good news? Ordering 1,000 copies can reduce your per-book cost by over 50% compared to a short run of 200 copies.
At QinPrinting, we specialize in full-color offset book printing with a minimum order of 100 copies. While we can accommodate smaller runs, the best value starts at 500+ copies. This guide provides transparent pricing for our most popular book types so you can budget accurately for your project.
1. Softcover (Perfect Bound) Book Printing Cost
Softcover books—also called paperback or perfect bound—are the most popular and affordable binding option. All prices below are based on Smyth sewn perfect binding, which offers superior durability compared to standard glue binding. This format is ideal for comic books, children’s books, novels, workbooks, and catalogs. Learn more about softcover book printing →
Standard Specs:
- Cover: 250gsm gloss art paper with gloss or matte lamination
- Interior: 128gsm gloss art paper, full color
- Binding: Smyth sewn perfect binding
5.5" × 8.5" Softcover – Full Color Interior
| Page Count | 200 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 3,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 pages | $3.31/book | $1.79/book | $1.16/book | $0.95/book | $0.89/book |
| 96 pages | $4.22/book | $2.22/book | $1.57/book | $1.32/book | $1.14/book |
| 160 pages | $5.70/book | $3.17/book | $2.40/book | $1.89/book | $1.79/book |
| 320 pages | $9.27/book | $5.61/book | $4.05/book | $3.51/book | $3.13/book |
8.5" × 11" Softcover – Full Color Interior
| Page Count | 200 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 3,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 pages | $5.21/book | $2.81/book | $2.01/book | $1.57/book | $1.48/book |
| 96 pages | $7.01/book | $3.84/book | $2.80/book | $2.21/book | $2.09/book |
| 160 pages | $9.63/book | $5.72/book | $4.08/book | $3.50/book | $3.32/book |
| 320 pages | $17.18/book | $9.87/book | $7.61/book | $6.60/book | $6.40/book |
* Prices are per deck, DDP to continental USA (excludes remote areas), including shipping and tariffs.
2. Hardcover (Case Bound) Book Printing Cost
Hardcover books offer durability and a premium look. At QinPrinting, we use Smyth sewn binding by default (not just glue), which allows the book to lay flat and last longer. Ideal for children’s books, comic books, coffee table books, memoirs, and collector’s editions. Learn more about hardcover book printing →
Standard Specs:
- Cover: 2.5mm greyboard + printed paper wrap with lamination
- Interior: 128gsm matte art paper, full color
- Binding: Smyth sewn (signatures stitched together)
- End sheets: 140gsm uncoated paper, blank
5.5" × 8.5" Hardcover – Full Color Interior
| Page Count | 200 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 3,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 pages | $5.57/book | $2.93/book | $2.19/book | $1.82/book | $1.73/book |
| 96 pages | $6.60/book | $3.52/book | $2.63/book | $2.16/book | $2.05/book |
| 160 pages | $8.69/book | $4.67/book | $3.50/book | $2.86/book | $2.68/book |
| 320 pages | $12.76/book | $7.36/book | $5.20/book | $4.48/book | $4.19/book |
8.5" × 11" Hardcover – Full Color Interior
| Page Count | 200 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 3,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 pages | $8.04/book | $4.72/book | $3.46/book | $3.11/book | $2.97/book |
| 96 pages | $10.54/book | $6.32/book | $4.63/book | $4.13/book | $3.93/book |
| 160 pages | $14.86/book | $8.47/book | $6.46/book | $5.69/book | $5.40/book |
| 320 pages | $24.40/book | $14.23/book | $10.83/book | $10.60/book | $10.40/book |
* Prices are per deck, DDP to continental USA (excludes remote areas), including shipping and tariffs.
3. Cloth Hardcover Book Printing Cost
Cloth hardcover (also called linen or fabric cover) is a premium binding option using woven fabric wrapped around rigid boards. Titles and designs are typically applied via foil stamping. This is the gold standard for luxury editions, special editions, and collector’s items. Learn more about cloth cover book printing →
Standard Specs:
- Cover: Linen cloth over 2.5mm greyboard
- Decoration: Foil stamping on cover and spine (1 gold foil color included)
- Interior: 128gsm matte art paper, full color
- Binding: Smyth sewn hardcover binding
8.5" × 11" Cloth Hardcover – Full Color Interior
| Page Count | 200 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 3,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 pages | $8.87/book | $5.34/book | $4.06/book | $3.71/book | $3.57/book |
| 96 pages | $10.86/book | $6.52/book | $4.86/book | $4.38/book | $4.19/book |
| 160 pages | $14.86/book | $8.90/book | $6.49/book | $5.73/book | $5.43/book |
| 320 pages | $23.73/book | $13.59/book | $10.28/book | $10.10/book | $9.80/book |
* Prices are per deck, DDP to continental USA (excludes remote areas), including shipping and tariffs.
4. Saddle Stitch (Stapled) Book Printing Cost
Saddle stitch binding is the most economical option for booklets with fewer pages (typically 8–64 pages). Pages are folded and stapled along the spine. Perfect for comic books, magazines, catalogs, coloring books, and promotional booklets. Learn more about saddle stitch booklet printing →
Standard Specs:
- Cover: 250gsm gloss art paper with gloss or matte lamination
- Interior: 128gsm matte art paper, full color
- Binding: 2 wire staples along spine
8.5" × 11" Saddle Stitch – Full Color
| Page Count | 200 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 3,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 pages | $2.58/book | $1.04/book | $0.69/book | $0.49/book | $0.46/book |
| 16 pages | $2.46/book | $1.31/book | $0.83/book | $0.66/book | $0.62/book |
| 32 pages | $3.26/book | $1.82/book | $1.20/book | $0.99/book | $0.85/book |
* Prices are per deck, DDP to continental USA (excludes remote areas), including shipping and tariffs.
5. Spiral / Wire-O Bound Book Printing Cost
Spiral and Wire-O binding allow books to lay completely flat and pages to flip 360°. This makes them ideal for cookbooks, manuals, workbooks, planners, and reference guides that need to stay open during use. Learn more about spiral bound printing and Wire-O bound printing.
Standard Specs:
- Cover: 300gsm card with gloss or matte lamination
- Interior: 128gsm matte art paper, full color
- Binding: Plastic coil (spiral) or double-loop wire (Wire-O)
8.5" × 11" Spiral Bound – Full Color Interior
| Page Count | 200 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 3,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 pages | $5.65/book | $3.38/book | $2.59/book | $2.19/book | $2.14/book |
| 96 pages | $7.49/book | $4.44/book | $3.39/book | $2.83/book | $2.75/book |
| 160 pages | $10.11/book | $6.27/book | $4.65/book | $4.13/book | $3.98/book |
8.5" × 11" Wire-O Bound – Full Color Interior
| Page Count | 200 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 3,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 pages | $5.62/book | $3.18/book | $2.35/book | $1.90/book | $1.82/book |
| 96 pages | $7.54/book | $4.28/book | $3.17/book | $2.55/book | $2.44/book |
| 160 pages | $10.37/book | $6.21/book | $4.47/book | $3.87/book | $3.68/book |
* Prices are per deck, DDP to continental USA (excludes remote areas), including shipping and tariffs.
6. Board Book Printing Cost
Board books feature thick, durable pages made from laminated cardboard. They’re designed to withstand handling by young children and are the standard format for baby and toddler books. Learn more about board book printing →
Standard Specs:
- Pages: 350gsm C2S board, laminated and mounted (0.9mm thick per sheet)
- Cover: Same as interior (self-cover) or hardcover case
- Finish: Gloss or matte lamination for all pages, rounded corners
6" × 6" Self-Cover Board Book – Full Color
| Page Count | 200 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 3,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 pages | $3.90/book | $1.92/book | $1.35/book | $1.17/book | $1.06/book |
| 20 pages | $5.27/book | $2.74/book | $2.06/book | $1.79/book | $1.57/book |
| 24 pages | $5.49/book | $2.80/book | $2.25/book | $1.99/book | $1.73/book |
6" × 6" Hardcover Board Book – Full Color
| Page Count | 200 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 3,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 pages | $6.09/book | $3.20/book | $2.53/book | $2.28/book | $2.06/book |
| 20 pages | $7.45/book | $3.98/book | $3.24/book | $2.78/book | $2.61/book |
| 24 pages | $7.68/book | $4.14/book | $3.44/book | $2.94/book | $2.78/book |
* Prices are per deck, DDP to continental USA (excludes remote areas), including shipping and tariffs.
7. What Affects Book Printing Cost?
Understanding these factors helps you make smart decisions that balance quality and budget:
Order Quantity (Biggest Factor)
Offset printing has significant setup costs (plates, calibration, make-ready). These fixed costs are spread across all copies, so larger orders have much lower per-unit prices. Moving from 200 to 1,000 copies can cut your cost per book by 50% or more.
Page Count
More pages = more paper and ink = higher cost. However, the per-page cost decreases as page count increases due to printing efficiencies.
Trim Size
Standard sizes (5.5″ × 8.5″, 8.5″ × 11″) are more economical than custom sizes. Odd dimensions may result in paper waste and higher costs.
Paper Stock
Heavier paper (higher gsm) costs more but provides better opacity and a premium feel. Coated paper (gloss or matte art paper) is ideal for full-color books with images.
Cover Finish
Basic gloss or matte lamination is included in standard pricing. Premium finishes like soft-touch lamination, spot UV, foil stamping, or embossing add to the cost.
Binding Type
From most to least expensive: Cloth hardcover > Case bound hardcover > Wire-O/Spiral > Perfect bound softcover > Saddle stitch
8. Frequently Asked Questions
What is your minimum order quantity?
Our minimum order is 100 copies for most book types. However, the best value starts at 500+ copies where per-unit costs drop significantly.
What's the difference between EXW and DDP pricing?
EXW (Ex Works) is the production cost at our factory—this is what our online calculator shows.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) includes production, shipping, and import duties—this is what the price charts on this page show. DDP gives you the true landed cost with no surprise fees.
Are the prices on this page all-inclusive?
Yes. Prices shown are DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) to continental USA (excludes remote areas). This includes printing, production, sea freight shipping, and import tariffs.
How long does production and shipping take?
Standard production takes 2–3 weeks after proof approval. Sea freight shipping takes 5–6 weeks to the US West Coast, or 6–7 weeks to the East Coast. Air freight is available for faster delivery at additional cost.
Do you offer samples or proofs?
Yes. We offer free digital proofs for all orders. Physical printed proofs are available for a fee and are recommended for first-time projects to verify color, paper feel, and binding quality.
Do you print black & white books?
We specialize in full-color printing. If you need a book with black & white interior pages, please contact us for a custom quote.
Can I get a custom quote?
Absolutely. These charts show common configurations. For custom sizes, paper stocks, special finishes, or different quantities, use our online calculator for instant EXW pricing, or contact our team for a complete DDP quote to your location.
What's the US import duty on books printed in China?
As of 2026, printed books from China are subject to approximately 7.5% import duty. All DDP prices in our charts already include this tariff—no surprise fees.
Get Your Card Deck Quote
We offer two ways to get pricing:
Instant EXW Quote: Use our online calculator to see factory pricing for your exact specifications.
Custom DDP Quote: Contact our team for all-inclusive pricing delivered to your location. We’ll calculate shipping and duties for you.
