Picture books are short, square and in full colour on every page, and many are printed in hardcover because children are hard on books. A 32-page square book at 8.5 by 8.5 inches is the classic format. The table below gives the price per copy from our calculator for full-colour picture books at 24, 32 and 40 pages, with the softcover and hardcover difference shown underneath.
Printing price per copy
| Copies | 24 pages | 32 pages | 40 pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $88.07 | $89.40 | $90.72 |
| 25 | $8.52 | $9.55 | $10.59 |
| 50 | $7.22 | $8.26 | $9.30 |
| 100 | $5.88 | $6.87 | $7.87 |
| 250 | $5.80 | $6.85 | $7.90 |
| 500 | $5.35 | $6.33 | $7.32 |
What these prices assume: Square 8.5x8.5 inch trim, full-colour interior on 80lb Gloss paper, gloss softcover, perfect bound. Printing only, no delivery or sales tax. Calculated by our printing calculator when this page loads.
- At 100 copies, 32 pages with a hardcover (adhesive case wrap): $12.92 per copy instead of $6.87.
- At 100 copies, 32 pages with 100lb Gloss paper: $7.41 per copy instead of $6.87.
Examples
- A 32-page bedtime story printed in hardcover, 50 copies for a school visit and family gifts.
- A 24-page bilingual picture book in softcover for a library story-time programme.
- A 40-page illustrated alphabet book, one proof copy first to check the colours.
Why 32 pages
Picture books are printed on large sheets folded into sections, so the page count comes in multiples of 4 (and works best in multiples of 8 or 16). Thirty-two pages leaves room for the title, copyright and dedication pages plus about 14 spreads of story, which is why it became the standard.
Softcover or hardcover?
- Hardcover: lasts in classrooms and libraries, and is what most bookshops stock for picture books.
- Softcover: lighter and cheaper to post, good for events and giveaways.
- Many authors print a small hardcover run for gifts and libraries and sell softcovers online.
Questions
Can I print a picture book in black and white?
You can, but nearly all picture books are full colour; the prices here are for colour.
What paper is used?
These prices assume 80lb gloss text paper, which shows colour illustrations well.
Is the ISBN included?
No. See our ISBN and barcode page for children's books.
Ready to publish your book?
Compare what each package includes, or send us your questions on WhatsApp.