Textbooks are usually printed at US Letter size, 8.5 by 11 inches, and run long: 300 to 500 pages is typical for a course text, workbook or training manual. That makes page count and colour the two biggest levers on price. The table below comes straight from our printing calculator for black-and-white textbooks at 300, 400 and 500 pages, and the notes show what colour and a hardcover add.
Printing price per copy
| Copies | 300 pages | 400 pages | 500 pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $107.07 | $114.36 | $121.65 |
| 25 | $21.20 | $26.34 | $30.11 |
| 50 | $19.56 | $24.34 | $28.55 |
| 100 | $17.57 | $22.12 | $26.67 |
| 250 | $16.90 | $21.71 | $26.52 |
| 500 | $15.29 | $19.66 | $23.98 |
What these prices assume: US Letter 8.5x11 inch trim, black-and-white interior on 60lb Natural paper, gloss softcover, perfect bound. Printing only, no delivery or sales tax. Calculated by our printing calculator when this page loads.
- At 100 copies, 400 pages with a full-colour interior on 60lb Opaque paper: $46.35 per copy instead of $22.12.
- At 100 copies, 400 pages with a hardcover (adhesive case wrap): $28.16 per copy instead of $22.12.
Examples
- A 420-page community-college accounting text, printed for one semester's class of 60 students.
- A 300-page nursing exam workbook with answer pages, sold through a review course.
- A 480-page church history used as a seminary reader, printed in hardcover for the library.
What makes textbooks cost more
- Pages: a 500-page book uses two-thirds more paper than a 300-page one.
- Colour: a full-colour interior costs much more per copy than black and white (the line under the table shows how much at 400 pages); many textbooks keep colour for charts and diagrams only.
- Hardcover: adds cost per copy, worth it for library and reference copies.
- Paper: heavier paper reduces show-through for workbooks people write in.
Cutting the cost without cutting the book
- Print black and white, and put colour figures online with a QR code.
- Order per term rather than for the year.
- Use a two-column layout to reduce page count without shrinking the type.
Questions
What size are most textbooks?
US Letter, 8.5 x 11 inches, is the most common. Smaller trims suit readers and workbooks with less art.
Can I print just a few copies to test?
Yes. The calculator prices from one copy.
Is shipping included?
These are printing prices only; the calculator adds delivery to your ZIP code.
Ready to publish your book?
Compare what each package includes, or send us your questions on WhatsApp.