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Board Book Printing
Transform your creative vision into captivating board books with QinPrinting's expert printing services. From self-publishers to established authors, we deliver premium quality board books with rounded corners, square corners, and durable construction. Our affordable pricing, professional guidance, and dedication to excellence make your publishing journey seamless and rewarding.
Board Book Printing Instant Quote
Common Board Book Sizes
The size of a children's book typically depends on the target age group. Booksellers, teachers, and librarians divide juvenile readers' book types into the following categories:
Common Board Book Size Chart
| Square | 5.625" x 5.625" | 6" x 6" | 6.5" x 6.5" | 7" x 7" | 7.5" x 7.5" | 8" x 8" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Portrait |
5.625" x 7.5" |
5.5" x 8" |
6" x 7" |
6" x 8" |
6" x 9" |
7" x 10" |
|
Landscape |
7.5" x 5.625" |
8" x 5.5" |
7" x 6" |
8" x 6" |
9" x 6" |
10" x 7" |
Board Book Page Specifications
Board book “pages” are the faces of print-covered cardboard sheets. How many pages should a board book be? The page count of a board book depends on the reader and the thickness of its pages. Board books usually contain 8 to 32 pages, making 4 to 16 “spreads”. A spread refers to two facing pages when the book is open and laid flat.
Board Book Paper Options
We make board books from either gray or white card stock, with rounded edges and laminating. We cover the card stock with cover paper onto which we've printed your story illustrations and text. Board books usually have what we call a “self-cover”, meaning that the facing sides of the outer boards, along with the spine, are wrapped and printed to create the front and back of the book, without adding a separate cover.
Most board books feature colorful illustrations, cartoons, or other artwork. So, we recommend printing on C1S paper to get the best results. C1S paper — also called “coated one side” paper— is paper that has been treated with a special coating on only one side, while the other side is left uncoated. On the coated side it has a brighter, smoother surface; and on the uncoated side it has a plain, more natural, rougher quality to it. The coated side is ideal for vibrant, full-color printing of the artwork and text of your story.
Typically, we choose 350gsm/16pt C1S paper for children's board books. If you prefer a thinner paper for reasons of economy, 250gsm/12pt and 300gsm/14pt C1S paper are also acceptable options.
There are two categories of paperboard or card stock available to print children's board books.
- Whiteboard is made of bleached white fibers and has a superior quality and appeal. It's a little more expensive than gray board, but most of our clients choose whiteboard paper for their board books.
- Grayboard is like whiteboard but with untreated compressed cardboard consisting of gray fibers against a white laminated exterior.
Binding for Board Books
Board books are in a category of their own with binding because they are not really bound at all. We glue the “pages” together and wrap and glue a last sheet of printed paper onto the faces of the first and last boards and over the “spine” to form the cover. We call this a “self-covered” board book. That said, it's possible to add a hardcover to a board book, which is also a popular choice.
But if you've set your heart on a hardcover board book, we recommend making the cover of 157gsm / 106 lb art paper wrapped on a grey board, and then bound as a regular hardcover book. The hardcover will have square corners by default, but you may choose rounded corners on the interior pages. We can also customize your hardcover with rounded corners, but this is expensive as it needs significant labor to wrap the round corners by hand.
You also may choose a sheet of sponge inside the front cover and back cover for a “padded” effect. The book will look thicker and softer, making it more appealing to children. For safety and to be kind to the environment, we use only harmless, non-toxic soy-based inks and suggest gloss coating rather than laminating board books, as the lamination film may peel and could be swallowed.
The QinPrinting Eco-Friendly Promise
At QinPrinting, we are very conscious of our responsibility to develop our industry in a sustainable way that respects the life of the planet and of future generations. For that reason, we use paper stock that's sourced from FSC-certified sustainable forestry whenever possible. We can provide recycled paper material on request. We also use environmentally-friendly soy inks—based on harmless, biodegradable vegetable products—rather than toxic resins and solvents. Getting your book printed in batches with an offset printer — rather than one at a time with a print-on-demand service — is also significantly more energy efficient, saving both water and electricity.
When you order from us, we can include the FSC-certified logo and an environmental guarantee from the manufacturer of the soy inks.
Why Print Your Board Book at QinPrinting?
At QinPrinting, we specialize in producing high-quality board books tailored to your needs. Here's why we stand out:
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.
Comprehensive Support
Free file checks and design guidance for a seamless printing process.
QinPrinting Rated Excellent for Board Book Printing
FAQs
The minimum order quantity is 100 copies.
The standard production time is approximately 2- 3 weeks, depending on order amount, size and finishing options. Shipping times vary based on your location and shipping method.
The total cost of producing board books depends on factors like quantity, size, page count, and finish options. At QinPrinting, you can use our pricing charts to get an instant estimate.
Self-cover Board Book Printing Price Chart (6" x 6")
| Quantity | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs | 5000pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20pp | $7.54 unit $754 total | $1.82 unit $910 total | $1.38 unit $1,381 total | $1.18 unit $2,354 total | $0.94 unit $4,719 total |
| 24pp | $7.70 unit $770 total | $1.89 unit $943 total | $1.46 unit $1,464 total | $1.27 unit $2,530 total | $1.00 unit $5,020 total |
| 26pp | $9.23 unit $923 total | $2.31 unit $1,154 total | $1.74 unit $1,742 total | $1.47 unit $2,940 total | $1.15 unit $5,755 total |
| 30pp | $9.73 unit $973 total | $2.57 unit $1,283 total | $1.96 unit $1,961 total | $1.67 unit $3,339 total | $1.33 unit $6,654 total |
- 350 gsm / 16 pt C1S stock with gloss or matte lamination on all pages
Hardcover Board Book Printing Price Chart (6" x 6")
| Quantity | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs | 5000pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16pp | $9.80 unit $980 total | $2.31 unit $1,154 total | $1.68 unit $1,676 total | $1.43 unit $2,862 total | $1.16 unit $5,780 total |
| 24pp | $10.46 unit $1,046 total | $2.56 unit $1,278 total | $1.98 unit $1,978 total | $1.71 unit $3,413 total | $1.40 unit $6,980 total |
| 28pp | $11.98 unit $1,198 total | $2.97 unit $1,486 total | $2.26 unit $2,256 total | $1.91 unit $3,824 total | $1.54 unit $7,715 total |
| 32pp | $12.48 unit $1,248 total | $3.23 unit $1,614 total | $2.48 unit $2,475 total | $2.11 unit $4,223 total | $1.72 unit $8,612 total |
- Cover: 3 mm thick gray board cover; Wrapped with 157 gsm / 100 lb coated cover sheet with gloss lamination
- Inner: 350 gsm / 16 pt C1S stock with gloss or matte lamination on all interior pages
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.
Please provide high-resolution pdf files (300 dpi) in CMYK color mode with 3-mm bleed.
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.
Let's Talk!
If you're an indie author or a small press wanting to print a board book — and only the finest product, unmatched customer service, and unbeatable prices will do — we should talk. Get in touch today to chat through your needs or to ask for a no-obligation quote. We can't wait to help you make your next board book the best!