Children’s Book Printing
What is the MOQ for children’s book printing?
The minimum order quantity is 100 copies.
How much does it cost to print a children’s book?
| Quantity | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32pp + 4pp | Unit: $3.36 Total: $336 | Unit: $0.97 Total: $485 | Unit: $0.62 Total: $617 | Unit: $0.47 Total: $949 |
| 40pp + 4pp | Unit: $3.98 Total: $398 | Unit: $1.15 Total: $576 | Unit: $0.75 Total: $750 | Unit: $0.57 Total: $1,142 |
| 48pp + 4pp | Unit: $4.44 Total: $444 | Unit: $1.29 Total: $645 | Unit: $0.84 Total: $839 | Unit: $0.65 Total: $1,297 |
- Cover: 250 gsm / 92 lb coated cover paper with gloss lamination
- Inner: 157 gsm / 106 lb coated text paper for interior
Please note that all prices are EXW (Ex Works) our facility and do not include shipping costs.
| Quantity | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32pp | Unit: $7.03 Total: $703 | Unit: $2.00 Total: $998 | Unit: $1.53 Total: $1,530 | Unit: $1.37 Total: $2,736 |
| 40pp | Unit: $7.85 Total: $785 | Unit: $2.22 Total: $1,108 | Unit: $1.68 Total: $1,684 | Unit: $1.47 Total: $2,949 |
| 48pp | Unit: $8.45 Total: $845 | Unit: $2.39 Total: $1,193 | Unit: $1.79 Total: $1,788 | Unit: $1.56 Total: $3,119 |
- End sheets: 157 gsm / 106 lb coated text paper, blank
- Inner: 157 gsm / 106 lb coated text paper for interior
What are the available options for cover finishes?
We offer a range of finishes for children’s book printing, including gloss, matte, and cloth covers. You can also opt for foil stamping, embossing, or debossing for added flair.
You can choose the finishes in our instant quote calculator.
What is the standard production time for chidlren books?
- For hardcover children’s 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.
What are the available children’s book sizes in QinPrinting?
At QinPrinting, we offer a variety of sizes for both hardcover and softcover children’s books.
- For hardcover books: The width should be between 3.74″ and 12.6″, and the height should be between 3.74″ and 13.5″.
- For softcover books: The width should be between 3.74″ and 12″, and the height should be between 3.74″ and 13.5″.
Do you use environmentally friendly materials in children’s book printing?
Yes, we use FSC-certified paper for our children’s books if requested, ensuring that the paper comes from responsibly managed forests. We also use soy-based inks, which are safer for the environment and healthier for kids.
Do you offer safety certifications for children’s books?
We can provide the necessary safety certifications for your children’s books, including CPC and CE certifications, to ensure they meet all required safety standards.
How can I prepare my children’s book files for printing?
To ensure the best print quality for your children’s book, 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 a 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.
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Common Children’s Book Sizes
When printing a children’s book, choosing the right size is crucial for visual appeal and ease of handling. Below are some of the most popular sizes:
- 8.5″ x 8.5″ (Square): A popular size for picture books, offering ample space for illustrations and text.
- 8″ x 10″ (Portrait): A versatile, slightly larger option often used for both storybooks and educational books.
- 7″ x 7″ (Square): Ideal for younger readers with fewer pages and larger illustrations.
- 10″ x 8″ (Landscape): Perfect for books with wide illustrations, commonly used for storybooks with panoramic art.
- 5.5″ x 8.5″ (Digest): A more compact size, often used for chapter books or smaller picture books.
Here’s a breakdown of common sizes based on the target age group:
- Board Books (0-4 years): Smaller, sturdy books like the 6″ x 6″ are perfect for preschoolers and toddlers. These books are easy to hold, and their thicker pages are ideal for little hands to turn.
- Picture Books (4-8 years): Picture books often use landscape formats to showcase full-page illustrations. Common sizes range from 8″ x 8″ to 12″ x 9″, providing enough space for both images and text.
- Early Readers (4-8 years): Early readers are commonly printed in portrait formats, with sizes ranging from 5.5″ x 8.5″ to 9″ x 12″. These books balance images and text to help children transition from picture books to reading independently.
- Chapter Books (6-9 years): For children starting to read on their own, chapter books are typically in 5.5″ x 8.5″ or 6″ x 9″ sizes, similar to standard paperbacks.
- Middle Grade Fiction (9-12 years): These books are usually printed in 5.5″ x 8.5″ or 6″ x 9″, providing enough space for more complex text and occasionally illustrations.
Custom Sizes: QinPrinting offers flexibility in sizes for both hardcover and softcover books. For hardcover books, the width can range from 3.74″ to 12.6″ and the height from 3.74″ to 13.5″. For softcover books, the width ranges from 3.74″ to 12″ and the height from 3.74″ to 13.5″.
Check out our handy children’s book size chart to explore the possibilities and help you to decide which size would best suit your children’s book.
Common Children's Book Size Chart
| Square | 6” x 6” | 7” x 7” | 8” x 8” | 8.5” x 8.5” | 9” x 9” | 10” x 10” |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Portrait |
5.5” x 8.5” |
6” x 9” |
8” x 10” |
8.5” x 10” |
8.5” x 11” |
9” x 12” |
|
Landscape |
8.5” x 5.5” |
9” x 6” |
10” x 8” |
10” x 8.5” |
11” x 8.5” |
12” x 9” |
Children’s Book Paper Options
Choosing the right paper is essential for children’s books with vibrant illustrations and artwork to bring the colors to life.
- Gloss Art Paper: Ideal for full-color spreads with less text. Glossy paper enhances the vividness of illustrations, making them stand out.
- Matte Art Paper: Best for books with more text and fewer illustrations. It provides rich color reproduction while ensuring the text is easy to read.
- Uncoated Paper: Perfect for interactive books like coloring and activity books. Uncoated paper is absorbent and allows kids to write, color, and paint without bleeding through the pages.
- For shorter books (32 pages or less), we recommend using 200 gsm / 135 lb coated paper to ensure durability.
- Common interior paper weights include 128 gsm / 86 lb, 157 gsm / 106 lb, or 200 gsm / 135 lb coated or uncoated paper for children’s books, depending on the desired feel and durability.
Children's Book Paper List
Paperback Cover Paper
- 200 gsm / 74 lb gloss cover paper
- 250 gsm / 92 lb gloss cover paper
- 300 gsm / 111 lb gloss cover paper
- 350 gsm / 129 lb gloss cover paper
- 200 gsm / 74 lb matte cover paper
- 250 gsm / 92 lb matte cover paper
- 300 gsm / 111 lb matte cover paper
Hardbound cover Paper
- 157 gsm / 58 lb coated cover paper wrapped on 2 mm grey board
- 157 gsm / 58 lb coated cover paper wrapped on 2.5 mm grey board
- 157 gsm / 58 lb coated cover paper wrapped on 3 mm grey board
- Other paper wrapped on grey board
Interior Paper
- 128 gsm / 86 lb gloss text paper
- 157 gsm / 106 lb gloss text paper
- 200 gsm / 135 lb gloss text paper
- 128 gsm / 86 lb matte text paper
- 157 gsm / 106 lb matte text paper
- 200 gsm / 135 lb matte text paper
Bindings for Children’s Books
Several binding styles may suit your children’s book project. While each binding has its particular qualities, which may make it suited to one kind of book rather than another, they are all viable options and the choice in the end is a personal one. These are the best bindings for children’s books:
Hardcover binding
- Description: The pages are printed in “signatures,” stitched together, and then bound into a hard outer casing. The cover is wrapped with a printed cover sheet that slightly overhangs the interior pages.
- Best For: Picture books, and early readers.
- Description: Pages are prepared in “signatures,” which are stitched together, glued at the binding edge, and attached to a flexible printed cover. This style is also known as “sewn perfect binding” and is durable and sturdy.
- Best For: Picture books, early readers, and chapter books.
- Self-Covered Board Book Binding: The front, back, and spine of the book are wrapped with a printed sheet.
- Hardcover Board Book Binding: The front and back faces are wrapped with a printed sheet, with a hardcover added for additional durability.
- Best For: Preschoolers and toddlers. Board books are known for their sturdy construction, ideal for young readers.
- Description: Pages are folded, stacked, and stitched together with staples or a separate cover sheet on the outside. This binding is often used for small, simple books.
- Best For: Picture books with fewer pages (12-32 pages), activity books.
- Description: Pages are perforated and bound together with a colored plastic coil or soft vinyl covers. This binding is flexible and allows the book to lay flat.
- Best For: Activity and coloring books where kids need to easily turn the pages.
Binding Styles for Specific Children’s Books
Board Books
Typically glued together, these books are designed for preschoolers and younger children. A hardcover option can also be added for extra durability.
Find out more about our board book printing services here.
Picture Books
Often larger-sized, these books may use saddle stitching for fewer pages (usually 12 to 32 pages) or hardcover binding for premium books.
Early Readers
These books are often bound like picture books or may be perfect bound if they have more text and fewer illustrations.
Chapter Books
Generally perfect bound in paperback form due to their length (10,000 to 20,000 words). Hardcover binding can also be an option for special editions.
Middle Grade
These books, which can range up to 45,000 words, are typically perfect bound, though hardcover binding is also an option for more prestigious editions.
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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.
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Let’s Talk!
If you’re an indie author or a small press wanting to print a children’s book — and only the finest product and unbeatable customer service 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 book the best ever!