Photography Book Printing
At QinPrinting, we’re proud to help fine art photographers showcase their work in beautifully crafted print editions. Create a stunning and stylish book of your fine art photography with our custom offset printing services. We’ve built our world-class reputation in the field of fine art and photographic reproduction on 25 years of success in the industry, an expert team, cutting-edge technology, and personalized customer care.
Whether you’re building a professional portfolio, preparing an exhibition catalog, or self-publishing a visual memoir, our professional photo book printing services make sure your images are presented at their very best.
Photography Book Printing Instant Quote
based on your choices
Fine Art Photography Book Paper Options
While a fine art photography book usually contains some text, its photographs are the focal point. For optimal results, we advise printing on glossy or matte art paper. These coated surfaces allow for vivid, high-fidelity printing that faithfully renders color, tone, and detail.
- Gloss Art Paper
Delivers vibrant colors, crisp detail, and a polished, high-sheen surface. Great for full-bleed photo spreads with maximum visual impact. - Matte Art Paper
A soft, velvety finish that reduces glare. Offers excellent color reproduction while making any accompanying text easier to read.
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 | - |
Colored Paper
Can be used for endpapers, chapter dividers, or visual contrast. Available in a variety of hues to suit your aesthetic.
Textured Paper
Adds a tactile element and subtle visual texture. Ideal for creating an artisanal or handmade feel.
For your fine art photography book, you’ll need at least two paper types: one for the interior pages and one for the cover. You can also add endpapers in the same or different stock, and opt for a dust jacket or slipcase for extra visual and physical protection.
Paper Stock for Fine Art Photography Books
Choosing the right paper stock is critical for print quality, binding strength, and the look and feel of the finished book. For books over 8.5″ x 11″, we recommend:
Interior Pages: 200 gsm / 135 lb gloss art paper
Durable, smooth, and ideal for reproducing photographic detail.
Hardcover Wraps: 157 gsm / 106 lb cover paper wrapped on 2mm, 2.5mm, or 3mm grayboard
Special Materials: Cloth and Imitation Leather Covers
For clients seeking a unique and premium look for their books, we offer a variety of special cover materials. Both options allow you to customize the tactile and visual experience of your book, ensuring it stands out and leaves a lasting impression.
Cloth Covers Swatches
Imitation Leather Swatches
Additional Finishing Services
Add visual sophistication and tactile interest with our finishing services:
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.
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.
Bindings for Photography Books
While photo books come in all shapes and sizes, the binding style plays a key role in functionality and visual appeal. All our recommended bindings allow the book to lie flat when open.
Sewn Perfect Binding
Durable and sleek. Interior pages are sewn into signatures and glued into a flexible wrap-around cover.
Sewn Hardcover Binding
Maximum durability and a luxury feel. Pages are sewn and glued into a solid case. Optional additions include ribbon markers, end sheets, and dust jackets.
Dust Jacket
Protects the book and adds five printable surfaces. Gloss, matte, embossing, and foil stamping available.
Slipcase
A tailored five-sided protective case. Can be printed, embossed, foil stamped, and wrapped in paper, fabric, or vinyl.
These finishing options help produce the kind of elegant, museum-quality books expected from the best photo book printing services in the industry.
Custom Fine-Art Photography Book Sizes
In general, the size of a fine art photography book is determined by the photographs, number of images, formatting, and the book’s orientation. A presentation portfolio of fine art photography with a landscape orientation will be larger, for instance, than a standard coffee table book.
Here is a list of the most common layouts for various types of fine art photography books to help you choose the best solution for your needs:
- Portrait portfolio: 8.5″ x 11″
A traditional upright layout suitable for documentary, portrait, or editorial photography. - Landscape portfolio: 11″ x 8.5″
Ideal for sweeping landscapes, panoramic shots, or horizontal compositions. - Presentation book: 11″ x 11″, 12″ x 12″, 12″ x 9″
Square or larger formats with high visual impact—often used for exhibitions and gallery sales. - Oversized: 12″ x 16″ and 11″ x 16″
A premium format for collectors’ editions or statement pieces.
Whether you choose landscape or portrait orientation, we offer both at the same price—unlike most other printing companies who charge added fees for landscape-oriented books. As a rule of thumb, we recommend printing your fine art photography book as large as practical. Assuming that you’re using high-resolution images, you’ll get a more impressive result which shows off all the details of your work.
If you’re self-publishing and need to ship a large number of copies, it may be more economical to choose a smaller format. Larger books offer greater visual presence but also increase unit cost. That said, we’re happy to produce custom photography book printing projects in any size or format. Full customization involves more pre-press work and slightly longer lead times, but for gallery presentation or limited edition runs, that investment is often worthwhile.
We’re always happy to discuss new formats or unusual specifications. If you don’t see what you’re looking for above, get in touch. Our team will be glad to help.
Why Choose Our Photography Book Printing Services?
Our team specializes in custom photography book printing for artists, galleries, designers, and independent publishers around the world. Whether you’re creating a high-end monograph, a student portfolio, or an exhibition catalog, we provide tailored support at every step.
Manufacturing Excellence
25+ years of experience in professional photo book printing.
ISO 9001 certified facility.
Advanced offset printing presses.
Support for CMYK, spot colors, and fine-tuned color calibration.
Quality Guarantee
Strict color management protocols.
Professional sewn binding options.
Premium paper and materials.
100% satisfaction guarantee.
Professional Support
Dedicated project manager.
Free manual file review.
Technical guidance and samples.
Responsive and informed communication.
Customizable Features
Choice of paper weight.
Gloss, matte, or soft-touch cover finish.
Multiple binding types available.
FAQs
How much does it cost to print a photography book?
The cost of printing a graphic novel depends on factors like quantity, page count, paper quality, and cover type. Generally, larger quantities and standard sizes will lower the cost per copy. For a more accurate estimate, feel free to check out our price chat.
Hardcover Photography Book Printing Price Chart (8.5″ x 11″)
Quantity | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs | 5000pcs | 10000pcs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
80pp | $11.27 unit $1,127 total | $3.17 unit $1,584 total | $2.33 unit $2,330 total | $1.96 unit $3,912 total | $1.67 unit $8,345 total | $1.60 unit $15,956 total |
112pp | $14.09 unit $1,409 total | $3.98 unit $1,989 total | $2.85 unit $2,848 total | $2.34 unit $4,678 total | $1.96 unit $9,802 total | $1.87 unit $18,728 total |
192pp | $21.15 unit $2,115 total | $6.00 unit $3,000 total | $4.14 unit $4,138 total | $3.31 unit $6,619 total | $2.69 unit $13,432 total | $2.56 unit $25,633 total |
- Cover: 157 gsm / 58 lb coated cover paper with matte lamination wrapped on 2.5 mm thickness greybeard
- Interior: 157 gsm / 106 lb coated text paper, full color printing
Paperback Photography Book Printing Price Chart (8.5″ x 11″)
Page Count | 100pcs | 500pcs | 1000pcs | 2000pcs | 5000pcs | 10000pcs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
72pp + 4pp | $6.05 unit $605 total | $1.73 unit $863 total | $1.12 unit $1,120 total | $0.85 unit $1,698 total | $0.72 unit $3,591 total | $0.67 unit $6,663 total |
96pp + 4pp | $7.53 unit $753 total | $2.17 unit $1,083 total | $1.41 unit $1,410 total | $1.08 unit $2,158 total | $0.92 unit $4,579 total | $0.86 unit $8,583 total |
128pp + 4pp | $9.60 unit $960 total | $2.80 unit $1,398 total | $1.82 unit $1,824 total | $1.41 unit $2,818 total | $1.19 unit $5,937 total | $1.12 unit $11,161 total |
- Cover:250 gsm / 92 lb coated cover paper with matte lamination outside
- Interior: 128 gsm / 86 lb coated text paper, full color printing
How should I send my artwork?
Email, Sprend, WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive links are all accepted. Send to: [email protected]
Which file types can I send?
High-resolution PDFs (300 dpi) with 3 mm bleed and CMYK color mode.
Can I order sample book?
Yes. Order a sample pack to explore paper stocks and finishing options.
Do you provide templates?
Absolutely. We offer free layout templates and a file-checking service. Visit our templates page to download yours.
Can I request a proof?
Yes. A photography book is a large undertaking. To ensure that the printing quality meets your expectations, we recommend that you create a set of hard proofs and 4-16 page offset printing samples. Why? The hard proof color and the final book printing color are approximately 95% the same. The final colors are represented by the offset printing sample. Color differences between hard proof and offset printing can be compared. You’ll see how they look in the finished book.
QinPrinting Reviews
The e-transfer payment seems fishy but they followed through on all asks so was totally fine! We just received our first batch and our getting ready to launch our product! Will definitely be restocking with Qin Printing again!
Susan!!!! These books are SOOOOOOO beautiful! I don't think we could have dreamed how joyful it would be to open the box and find such care for and beautifully printed books. This was a special day -- we hope to have many more like it.
Thank you for fielding so many questions. Your patience with us (well, me) was so kind. You and your team have gone above and beyond for us.
Gratefully,
MAC
Their product quality, attention to detail, and clear communication have exceeded my expectations at every step. I truly appreciate their dedication and care, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with them on many more projects to come.
Let's Talk
If you’re a fine art photographer, designer, or curator ready to create a premium-quality book, we’d love to help. Whether you’re preparing a limited-run monograph, a collectible edition, or a gallery exhibition book, we’ll work with you to make it exceptional. Get in touch today to start planning your project—we’re confident you’ll find QinPrinting the best photo book printing services partner for your needs.