We have compiled some of the most important questions and answers about book printing below.
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Our team has more than 25 years of hands-on book manufacturing experience, and since 2012 PRC Book Printing has produced millions of books for authors and publishers around the world. We understand every step of the printing process and how to guide you from start to finish with confidence.
This FAQ answers the most common questions we receive about:
Whether you are publishing your first book or have years of experience in the industry, you will find helpful information here to support your planning and decision making. Our goal is to make the printing process clear, smooth, and enjoyable while delivering professional results that you can be proud of.
If you do not see your question here, we are always happy to help.
Call us at 888-659-8320 or email info@prcbookprinting.com for personalized guidance on your specific project.
Book printing is a carefully coordinated process that turns your digital files into beautifully finished books. Whether you’re printing a few hundred or several thousand copies, every project follows a series of steps designed to ensure quality and consistency from start to finish.
File Submission & Review: It all starts when you send us your print-ready PDF files, one for the book’s interior pages and one for the cover. Our prepress team reviews your files to make sure everything meets printing standards: margins, image resolution, color profiles, bleeds, and page setup. If we spot any technical issues, we’ll let you know right away.
Proofing & Approval: Before anything goes to press, we create a digital proof (or a hard-copy proof if you prefer) so you can review exactly how your book will look. This step is your chance to check layout, colors, and text before production begins. Once you give us the green light, we move forward.
Printing: For offset printing, we create metal printing plates, one for each color in your design, and mount them onto our presses. This method is ideal for higher-volume runs (typically 500 copies or more) and offers the most consistent, professional results.
Folding, Gathering, and Binding: After printing, large sheets are folded, cut, and gathered into what we call “signatures,” or groups of pages. These signatures are then bound together using your chosen method:
Trimming, Quality Check & Packaging: Once bound, books are trimmed to their final size for clean, even edges. Our finishing team inspects every batch for color accuracy, binding strength, and overall quality. Finished books are then packed securely in cartons, palletized, and prepared for shipping.
Shipping & Delivery: We coordinate delivery to your specified location, whether that’s your warehouse, fulfillment center, or home office. For most offset print runs of 500 copies or more, you can expect the full process, from file submission to delivery, to take about 3 to 6 weeks.
At every step, our goal is simple: to produce a professional-quality book that looks and feels exactly the way you envisioned it.
Our minimum order quantity generally starts at around 500 copies for most hardcover book projects. This quantity tends to hit the sweet spot between setup costs and the best per-unit price when using offset printing.
For softcover books, offset printing becomes cost-effective at around 1,000 to 2,000 copies. You can certainly print fewer, but the cost per book will be higher because setup time and materials are spread over a smaller number of copies.
Offset printing is designed for efficiency at larger volumes. The more books you print, the lower your per-unit cost becomes, which is why many publishers and authors prefer this method over print-on-demand services when ordering in bulk.
For some specialty projects, such as premium coffee table books, cloth hardcover editions, or books with custom materials and finishes, the minimum quantity can be higher—typically in the 1,000 to 3,000 copy range. This is due to material minimums from paper mills and the setup requirements of the specialized equipment used for these jobs.
In certain cases, we can accommodate smaller runs of 300 to 500 copies, depending on the project’s complexity and specifications. Just keep in mind that the per-unit cost will increase at these lower quantities.
Most of our hardcover and softcover books are printed right here in the United States. However, we also have long-standing production facilities in China that we’ve developed over the past 18 years. These overseas facilities allow us to produce certain types of books that are not currently feasible to manufacture domestically, such as oversized hardcover or softcover books (larger than 12" x 12") and board books.
Having this overseas capability gives our authors and publishers access to formats and finishes that are otherwise unavailable in the U.S. It also helps maintain competitive pricing for projects that require specialized equipment or materials.
While some books are produced in China, all customer service, project coordination, file preparation, quality control, and shipping logistics are handled by our U.S. team based in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. You’ll work directly with our Pennsylvania staff throughout your project, ensuring clear communication in your time zone and the confidence that comes with working with professionals who understand American publishing standards.
We print nearly every type of book across all genres and formats. Our equipment and experience allow us to handle a wide range of projects, from short-run titles (500 +) to large-volume (million +) production.
Our capabilities include:
We can produce custom trim sizes ranging from 4" x 6" up to 11" x 11", and handle page counts from 32 pages to over 1,300 pages. You can choose black-and-white or full-color interiors, and a variety of binding options such as perfect binding, Smyth sewn case binding (hardcover), saddle stitch, Wire-O, or coil.
If you have unique specifications or a specialty project in mind, our team can review your details and confirm what’s possible for your specific book.
Because every project is custom, the cost of printing a book can vary quite a bit depending on the specifications and type of book you are producing. As a commercial offset book printer, we calculate each quote based on the materials, production method, and quantity needed.
Several key factors influence pricing:
In general, larger quantities significantly lower the per-unit cost because setup expenses are spread across more copies.
To receive accurate pricing for your specific project, contact us with your book details. We’ll prepare a detailed custom quote outlining all costs clearly so you can plan with confidence.
Offset printing becomes more economical than print-on-demand once you reach a certain quantity because of how each method works.
Offset printing uses metal plates and large printing presses that require setup time before the first sheet is printed. That setup cost is fixed, no matter how many books are printed. Once the press is running, each additional copy costs very little to produce. This is why the price per book drops dramatically as the quantity increases.
Print-on-demand, on the other hand, is a digital process that prints each book individually. There are no setup costs, but each book is printed one at a time, which means the cost per copy stays high regardless of how many you print.
In short, offset printing is ideal for larger runs where you want professional quality and the best unit pricing. Print-on-demand works best for very small quantities or single copies, where flexibility matters more than cost efficiency.
We offer several convenient payment options for your book printing order.
For first-time customers, we typically require a 50% deposit at the time of order confirmation, with the remaining 50% due before shipping.
Once we establish a business relationship and payment history, returning customers may qualify for net-15 payment terms, pending credit approval.
Every order includes a detailed invoice that outlines all associated costs, including printing, shipping, and any additional services. This ensures full transparency for your accounting and budgeting.
For international clients, wire transfers are usually the most efficient and reliable payment method. Complete banking details are provided once your order is confirmed.
The standard approach involves 50% deposit when you approve final specifications and place your order, with the remaining 50% due at shipping/after delivery.
Our printing quotes are fully detailed and designed to give you a clear picture of all manufacturing costs involved. We believe in complete transparency from the very beginning.
Your quote will include:
There are a few items that are not included in the initial quote. These may include file corrections or revisions, custom foil, debossing or embossing dies, and any overs or unders. These costs can only be determined once production is complete.
All of our quotes are fixed for 30 days, which protects you from price changes while you make your decision.
To get started, simply send us your project specifications. We typically provide a detailed custom quote within 24 to 48 hours.
We accept print-ready PDF files as the standard format for book printing. PDFs are ideal because they preserve all your formatting, fonts, images, and design elements exactly as intended. This ensures that what you see on your screen is what will appear in print.
To achieve the best results, your PDF should meet these requirements:
We can also work with original design files from Adobe InDesign or Adobe Illustrator if needed, but these require extra prepress work to convert them into print-ready PDFs.
Microsoft Word files are not print-ready.
Avoid sending standalone images such as JPEG or PNG files. Images should always be embedded within your PDF and set up according to professional printing specifications.
For professional-quality book printing, all images must be 300 DPI (dots per inch) at their final printed size. This ensures sharp, detailed images with accurate color and clean edges.
Here’s what that means in practical terms:
If an image will print 5 inches wide, it needs to be at least 1,500 pixels wide (5 inches × 300 DPI = 1,500 pixels).
Images with lower resolution, such as those taken from websites or social media (usually only 72 DPI), will appear blurry or pixelated when printed, even if they look fine on your computer screen. This happens because screens display images at about 72–96 DPI, while printed materials require much higher resolution for clarity.
To achieve the best results:
Our prepress team can review your images and let you know if they meet print standards before production begins. Once a book is printed, image quality cannot be corrected, so it’s important to verify resolution before approving your final files.
No, we do not offer design services.
Preparing your files correctly is one of the most important steps in achieving a professional-quality book. Paying attention to these details helps avoid costly errors and ensures your printed book matches what you see on screen.
Follow these key guidelines when setting up your files:
If you are unsure about any of these settings, our prepress team can review your files before production and guide you through any needed adjustments. Proper setup from the start saves time and guarantees the best possible printed result.
Bleeds and trim marks are important parts of preparing your book for professional printing. They make sure that your pages print correctly, align properly, and have clean edges without unwanted white borders.
Bleed refers to any background color, image, or design element that extends past the final size of your book. In most cases, you should extend these elements 0.125 inches beyond the trim edge on every side of the page. Books are printed on slightly larger sheets of paper and then trimmed down to their final size. Because trimming can vary slightly (usually within about 1/16 of an inch), this extra bleed ensures that color or artwork continues cleanly to the edge, even if the cut shifts a little.
If you don’t include bleed, you might end up with thin white lines along the edges of your pages where the paper was trimmed. This can make an otherwise beautiful book look unfinished or unprofessional.
Trim marks are small, thin lines that show the printer exactly where to cut the pages to the correct size. They act as guides for the trimming equipment and for quality control during production.
In addition to bleed and trim marks, there is also a safety zone inside your page layout, typically 0.25 inches from the trim edge. Keep all important text, logos, or key artwork inside this area to prevent them from being cut off during trimming.
Our prepress team carefully checks every file to make sure proper bleeds, trim marks, and safety margins are in place before printing begins. This helps guarantee that your finished book looks clean, balanced, and professionally produced.
The typical production timeline for offset book printing is 3 to 6 weeks from the time you approve your proof. The exact schedule depends on the type of book you are producing. Softcover books generally take 3 to 4 weeks, while hardcover books usually take 4 to 6 weeks because they require more labor and finishing steps.
Here is a simple breakdown of the process:
To help ensure a smooth launch, it is always a good idea to plan some buffer time into your schedule. Our team provides regular updates throughout production so you always know the status of your project from start to finish.
Our production workflow is designed to deliver consistent, professional results from start to finish. Every project goes through several carefully managed steps before it reaches your doorstep.
- Perfect binding uses strong adhesive to attach pages to a softcover spine.
- Case binding (hardcover) requires sewing signatures together to form a book block that is then inserted into a hard case.
- Saddle stitching secures folded pages with staples through the spine for thinner books or booklets.
This structured approach ensures your books look great, feel durable, and are produced with reliable quality control at every stage.
We offer a wide range of paper options so your book can match the look, feel, and budget you have in mind. The right paper choice depends on whether your interior is black and white or full color, and the type of content inside the book.
Paper for Black and White Interiors
Common selections include:
Paper for Color Interiors
These options provide excellent print quality for images and graphics:
Specialty Paper Options
We also offer:
Understanding Paper Weight
Paper weight, listed as 50 lb, 60 lb, 70 lb, and so on, refers to the weight of 500 sheets at a standard size. Higher numbers mean thicker and heavier paper, which affects both durability and overall book feel.
Cover Stock Options
Softcover books typically use 10 pt, 12 pt, or 15 pt C1S card stock (coated on one side) that is then laminated with your choice of gloss, matte, or soft-touch finish for added protection and quality.
If you would like to review paper options in person, we are happy to provide free physical samples so you can feel the differences in paper weight, texture, and color before making your final decision.
We offer a full range of binding methods so your book can be produced in the style that best fits its purpose, durability needs, and overall design.
Perfect Binding
This is the most common method for paperback books. Signatures are gathered, the spine edge is roughened, and a strong PUR adhesive is applied before the cover is wrapped around the book block.
Case Binding (Hardcover)
This option creates a durable and long-lasting book. The signatures are sewn together to form a book block. The block is then attached to a rigid case that may be wrapped in printed paper or cloth.
Saddle Stitch Binding
Folded sheets are stapled through the spine.
Wire-O Binding
A metal wire is threaded through round or square punched holes, allowing the pages to turn freely and lay flat.
Coil or Spiral Binding
Plastic coil is threaded through punched holes. This offers lay-flat usability similar to Wire-O but with a slightly different look and feel.
Smyth Sewn Binding
Signatures are sewn together with thread, creating the most durable binding structure.
Each binding method has its own page count requirements, cost considerations, and functional benefits. Our team will review your project details and help you choose the option that works best for your intended audience and how the book will be used.
Yes. We highly recommend reviewing proofs before we begin full production. Proofs give you the chance to confirm that your book looks exactly how you want it to look before we print your full order.
We offer two types of proofs:
Digital Proofs (PDF)
Digital PDF proofs are included with every order at no additional cost.
They allow you to review:
This is a fast and effective way to spot any formatting or typographic issues.
Physical Hard Proofs
Hard proofs are printed samples of your book, usually on digital proofing paper. These are included in our pricing and are especially recommended for:
Hard proofs allow you to check real paper quality, ink density, image clarity, and color reproduction.
Timeline and Approval
Proofing typically adds 3 to 4 days to your overall schedule.
Once you approve your proofs, we move into full production. Any changes requested after approval may result in new setup costs and schedule adjustments.
Review your proofs thoroughly. This step is your final opportunity to catch anything before thousands of books are printed.
Hardcover and paperback books are printed with the same professional equipment, so the interior print quality can be identical. The main differences are in the cover materials, durability, and how the book is bound.
Hardcover Books (Case Binding)
Hardcovers are built to last and are considered the highest quality book format. They feature:
A rigid cover made from thick binder’s board, usually 2 to 3 millimeters thick
A cover wrap of printed paper, cloth, or specialty material
A book block that is usually Smyth sewn, meaning the pages are sewn together for strength
Endpapers that attach the book block securely to the case
A spine that may be rounded and reinforced for longevity
Optional headbands at the top and bottom of the spine for added style
Optional dust jackets for extra protection
Hardcovers are designed for long-term use and can last decades or more with proper care.
Paperback Books (Perfect Binding)
Paperbacks are more flexible and more affordable to produce. They typically include:
Paperbacks are durable for everyday use but will show wear more quickly than a hardcover. A well-used paperback may last a few years before the spine or corners begin to show noticeable signs of aging.
Both formats can be beautifully printed and professionally produced. The choice often depends on:
Hardcovers are the top choice for gift books, photography, collectors, libraries, and premium editions. Paperbacks are ideal for more cost-sensitive projects like fiction, nonfiction trade books, and workbooks.
We can ship your printed books to almost anywhere you need them. Our logistics network supports both domestic and international deliveries, and we work with reliable freight carriers to ensure your books arrive safely.
Shipping Within the United States
We deliver to all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Shipping costs may be higher for locations outside the continental United States. We can ship to:
International Shipping
We regularly ship to Canada, Europe, Australia, and many other countries around the world. International shipping times and costs vary by destination, and we will provide a customized quote based on your location and shipment size.
Multi-Location Shipments
If you need part of your order delivered to different locations, such as regional warehouses, we can coordinate split shipments to help streamline your distribution.
Shipping Planning
We ask that shipping addresses be confirmed before we begin production. Any changes later in the process may impact freight arrangements, delivery schedules, and cost.
No matter where your books are going, our team manages the logistics and keeps you updated throughout the shipping process so that delivery is smooth and predictable.
We take great care to ensure your books arrive in excellent condition, ready for sale or distribution. Proper packaging is a key part of our production and logistics process.
Here is how we package your order:
When your shipment arrives, you can expect your books to look crisp, clean, and retail-ready.
Delivery and Receiving
Large orders shipped on pallets may require:
A packing list is included with each shipment so you can quickly verify quantities and product details. We often include a few sample books near the top of a carton for easy inspection when you receive your delivery.
If there is transit damage
Although packaging minimizes the risk, damage can occasionally occur during freight handling. If you notice dents, crushed boxes, or torn shrink wrap:
Freight carriers have specific time limits for reporting issues, so quick action helps resolve any concerns smoothly.
All orders are quoted based on type and specs of book.
No we don’t offer this service.
Can’t find the answer you need? Our experienced team is here to help with personalized guidance for your specific book printing project.
Contact PRC Book Printing:
We typically respond to inquiries within 24 hours during business days and provide detailed custom quotes within 24-48 hours of receiving complete project specifications.
From concept to completion, we’re here to guide you through the book printing process. Get a free quote today!
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