Laminated Book Printing
At QinPrinting, we offer professional laminated book printing services to enhance the appearance and durability of your books. Our variety of different lamination options — such as gloss, matte, and soft touch lamination — allow you to customize your books’ look and feel perfectly to your desires. Print your laminated books with us today to benefit from our 25 years of industry experience, unparalleled customer service, and newest technology to make sure your books are high-quality in both protection and design.
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Types of Lamination
We offer several types of lamination to enhance the look and feel of your printed books. Each type serves a unique purpose and is suitable for different design goals.
Gloss Lamination
Gloss lamination’s shiny, reflective finish boosts color vibrancy, making it perfect for covers featuring lots of color or photo-heavy designs. It has a slick feel that also protects against scratches and moisture.
Note: Choosing gloss lamination is not recommended with the Spot UV special finish, as both are glossy finishes and thus will not create a strong contrast on the cover.
Matte Lamination
For a smoother and softer appearance compared to gloss lamination, matte lamination works best in elevating elegant and sophisticated designs. The finish is non-reflective, reducing glare and making it ideal for both images and text.
Soft Touch Lamination
Soft touch lamination combines a matte-like appearance with a velvety, suede texture that creates a unique tactile experience. It utilizes slightly richer tones than other finishes, making it best for high-end books such as luxury branding or special editions.
Note: This lamination option is more expensive than other finishes. If you wish to get an initial price quote for using soft touch lamination, please see our price calculator above.
More Special Fnishes Options
Below are some additional surface finishes that you can add to your lamination books:
A glossy finish applied to specific areas for a bold and distinct look.
Metallic or pigmented foil for a shiny, eye-catching effect.
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.
Coated Paper vs. Uncoated Paper
When printing laminated books, it is important to understand how lamination interacts with different paper types. Get an understanding of the basics below:
Coated Paper
Coated paper is available in both gloss and matte. This paper offers improved color saturation, making it ideal for books that require the use of images or graphics. It is commonly used for art books, cookbooks, and coffee table books.
Lamination is only suitable for coated paper 128gsm or above.
| 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 | - |
Uncoated Paper
Uncoated paper has a natural texture and lower reflectivity, making it easier to write on. It is often chosen for coloring books, novels, or any other text-dominant books where readability and a classic feel are key.
Uncoated paper cannot be laminated
| GSM / lb | Uncoated Paper 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 |
Once the cover is laminated, the paper’s original surface sheen becomes invisible. This means that when choosing cover paper, you can focus more on print quality and paper weight than on surface gloss. Inner pages are usually not laminated, however, so you can still see and feel the difference between coated and uncoated paper for the book’s interior.
Binding Options
Hardcover Binding
Hardcover binding offers long-term durability and gives your book a premium feel. It also comes with additional luxury options such as cloth cover, dust jactet and slipcase.
Perfect Binding
Perfect binding is an attractive, less expensive option widely used for softcover books of various genres. The pages are glued to a heavier cover, attaining a professional appearance.
Saddle Stitching
Saddle stitching is ideal for thinner books consisting of less than 48 pages, such as brochures or programs. It is a cost-effective binding method that uses staples or thread along the spine.
Wire-O Binding
Wire-O binding is a method of securely binding pages with double metal loops, allowing the book to lay completely flat and fold back on itself. The sturdy finish ensures durability and is ideal for any books that require frequent handling.
Spiral Binding
Spiral binding uses a plastic or metal coil to bind pages, allowing them to freely rotate in all directions. This flexibility makes spiral binding a great choice for cookbooks, workbooks, and reference materials.
FAQs
Can I combine lamination with spot UV?
Yes, you can — in fact, it’s a popular way to add contrast and texture to your book cover.
However, we generally recommend using spot UV with matte or soft touch lamination, rather than gloss lamination. This is because both spot UV and gloss lamination are reflective; when used together, the UV effect may not be very noticeable.
For the best results, use spot UV to highlight titles, logos, or design elements on a matte or soft-touch laminated cover, where the contrast can truly stand out.
Is lamination waterproof?
Lamination provides excellent moisture resistance, but it’s not 100% waterproof. For full waterproofing, additional finishes or protective covers may be required.
Where is lamination typically used in book printing?
Lamination is most commonly applied to the cover of a book to protect the surface, enhance durability, and result in a polished, professional look.
The inner pages are usually not laminated, as lamination can make pages stiff and more difficult to flip. Instead, inner paper is chosen based on factors like print clarity, writing suitability, and texture.
If you have special use cases (such as waterproof manuals or menus), lamination on inside pages is possible — just let us know your needs!
What kind of paper can be laminated?
Not all paper types are suitable for lamination. Here’s what you need to know:
Coated paper (art paper) should be at least 128gsm for lamination. Paper under 105gsm is generally too thin and may wrinkle or bubble during the lamination process.
Uncoated paper (such as offset/double adhesive paper) cannot be laminated — the surface is too porous and will not bond well with the lamination film.
For best results, choose a coated paper 128gsm or above for laminated covers or inserts.
What is the MOQ for laminated book printing?
The minimum order quantity is 100 copies.
What is the standard production time for laminated books?
- For hardcover books, the typical production time is around 3 weeks.
- For paperback books, it usually takes about 5 to 10 days.
Shipping times vary based on your location and shipping method.
How can I prepare my book files for printing?
To ensure the best print quality, please submit your files in the following format:
- High-resolution PDF (300dpi) for sharp, clear images.
- 3mm bleed on all sides of the design to prevent cutting errors.
- Embedded fonts to avoid text issues.
If you need assistance with file preparation, feel free to contact us!
Do you provide document checking services?
Yes, we offer a free manual document-checking service to ensure your files are print-ready. Our team will review the document layout, bleed, resolution, and other technical details, allowing you to correct any issues before production begins.
Do you offer paper and printing proofs?
Yes, we provide both digital and physical proofs. Digital proofs help you review the layout on screen, while physical proofs allow you to check the material, color, and finish before mass printing. Visit our Proof Support Page or contact our team for help.
Free File Checking Service
Not sure if your files are print-ready? You’ve nothing to worry about! Our team will check your files for free to make sure everything’s in order—things like page size, bleed, color mode, and image resolution. If something’s off, we’ll let you know and suggest how to fix it before anything goes to print.
Need help to prepare your files? We’ve put together a step-by-step guide you can check out here.
And if you’re still unsure, just reach out. We’re always happy to take a look and answer your questions.
Printing File Requirements
It is important to understand how to prepare your finished digital files for printing. Here are a few useful tips to help you when preparing files to be printed.
You will need to add a "bleed zone" of 0.125" around all your pages.
Convert your color space from RGB to CMYK
Make sure the resolution for your images is 300 DPI.
Export your files in PDF format for the best results.
To learn more, see our File Checking Guidelines or get in touch directly. We offer an expert file-checking service, free to all our customers.
Why Print with QinPrinting?
High Quality
Using advanced technology for vibrant colors and sharp details.
Affordable Pricing
Competitive rates for bulk printing.
Custom Solutions
Tailored options for your unique project.
Global Delivery
Reliable shipping to the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, and beyond.
Free File Checking
To ensure your files are ready for production.
QinPrinting Reviews
Highly recommended
First, they were so reactive, it was especially great to have a contact in Canada, Daniel was so helpful and so quick to respond to my questions. I was guided during the entire process, received a lot of updates and advises. The result was perfect, even better than expected. Also they were always ahead of the expected dates for reviews, proofing, printing and shipping. And prices ate very competitive. So yes I will do business again with them.
Thank Qin Printing team.
At the start, I slightly overestimated how quickly I would complete the project, and for almost a year, I was in contact with Susan, who handled everything with remarkable kindness, understanding, and efficiency. Throughout the entire process, Susan always responded promptly, offering valuable insights and suggestions on how best to achieve the quality I envisioned. Her support made a world of difference, especially given the complexity of my game, which required a great deal of checking and double-checking.
When the final product arrived, I was absolutely thrilled—the quality is simply stunning. Every detail was beautifully executed, and the results exceeded my expectations. It was truly a wonderful experience working with QinPrinting, and I am deeply grateful to Susan in particular, who was an absolute pleasure to work with. If you are looking for a printing partner who combines professionalism, skill, patience, and genuine care, look no further than QinPrinting.
Let's Talk!
Ready to bring your laminated book to life? Whether you’re creating a vivid art book, a premium brand piece, or a durable manual, we’re here to help you choose the perfect finish and binding. Get in touch today — let’s make something beautiful, together.
