Short Run Book Printing
Short run book printing at Harmony Publishing means printing a small batch of copies, from one up to a few hundred, in paperback or hardcover. For a 6 x 9 in paperback of 200 pages, printing costs $10.81 per copy at 25 copies and $7.50 per copy at 500, before shipping; the calculator prices your own specification instantly.
A short print run gives you real copies of your book without a large order: for a launch, an event table, review copies or a first test of a title. Order from a single copy up to 10,000 in the same calculator, with 19 trim sizes, paperback or hardcover, and black-and-white or colour interiors. For the full range see our book printing services; for one copy see single book printing.
Price your own short run
Choose size, pages, paper, cover and quantity, and see the printing price and the shipping to your ZIP code.
Open the calculatorShort run printing prices per copy
| Copies | 100 pages, per copy | 100 pages, total | 200 pages, per copy | 200 pages, total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | $14.55 | $145.53 | $17.93 | $179.28 |
| 25 | $8.78 | $219.58 | $10.81 | $270.20 |
| 50 | $6.81 | $340.67 | $9.51 | $475.67 |
| 100 | $5.69 | $569.03 | $8.39 | $839.03 |
| 250 | $5.07 | $1,267.50 | $7.67 | $1,917.50 |
| 500 | $4.90 | $2,448.55 | $7.50 | $3,748.55 |
From our calculator: US Trade 6 x 9 in paperback, black-and-white interior, 60lb Natural paper, gloss cover. Printing only: no shipping and no sales tax. The price per copy falls as the quantity rises.
Printed copies already in our publishing packages
If you are publishing with us, a short run is part of the package:
- Complete: 25 paperback books
- Premium: 50 paperback books
- Rockstar: 100 paperback books (no hardcover)
- Legend: 200 Hardcovers & 300 Paperback Books
Compare the publishing packages.
When a short run makes sense
- A launch, a book signing or a speaking event where you sell copies yourself.
- Review and gift copies, or a proof to check before ordering more.
- A first test of a new title before you commit to a larger quantity.
Not sure about size or binding? Read our guides to trim sizes and binding types.
Some of the books we've published
Love Lessons & Group Chats
Shajuan Connell
Knowing Your Knowing
L. Anthony Loman
Beyond the Cross
Jonathan Fajembola
See every title in our author gallery.
What authors say
- ★★★★★
“I was very pleased with my end product! My book looks amazing and exactly as I had envisioned. The quality is excellent and my website is also very professionally done. Id recommend Harmony Publishing for any new author starting out on their writing journey.”
Shajuan Connell, United States · Sep 15, 2026 · Verified
Read on Trustpilot - ★★★★★
“As a first-time author, I am truly grateful for my experience with Harmony Publishing. They helped make the process of publishing my first books both successful and rewarding. … Whenever I had questions, the Harmony Publishing team was very responsive and always provided thorough, helpful answers. … I would gladly recommend Harmony Publishing to other first-time authors who are looking for guidance and support in bringing their books to life.”
C.C. Giambrone, United States · Sep 5, 2026
Read on Trustpilot - ★★★★★
A Meaningful Start to My Author Journey
“Harmony Publishing helped publish all three books in my Vitamin D collection: Daily Doses of Faith, Kingdom Leadership, and Military Edition. As a first-time author, seeing my words become published books was a meaningful milestone. I also appreciate their help with promoting my books and making them available online, giving more readers the opportunity to discover them. I’m grateful for their role in helping me share messages of faith, encouragement, and leadership. — C.C. Giambrone”
Short run book printing FAQs
What is short run book printing?
Short run book printing is printing a small batch of copies, from a few up to a few hundred, instead of a large print run. It suits authors who want physical copies for launches, events, sales and gifts without paying for thousands of books.
How much does short run book printing cost?
Printing is priced per copy and falls as the quantity rises. For a 6 x 9 in paperback with a black-and-white interior, 200 pages cost $10.81 per copy at 25 copies and $7.50 per copy at 500 copies (printing only, no shipping or sales tax). Use the calculator for your own size, paper and cover.
What is the minimum order?
One copy. You can order a single copy, for example a proof to check before a larger run, or any quantity up to 10,000 in the calculator.
How long does short run printing take?
Production time depends on the quantity and the paper. For a typical paperback it runs from about 2 days for a single copy to about 9 days for 10,000 copies on standard paper; delivery time depends on the speed you choose (Economy, 2nd Day or Next Day).
Can I print a short run in hardcover?
Yes. In the calculator you choose paperback, paperback printed on the inside cover, or hardcover, a gloss, matte or soft touch cover finish, and a black-and-white or colour interior.
What do I need to send?
A print-ready PDF at your trim size. Books are printed in multiples of 4 pages, so the calculator rounds your page count up to the next multiple and tells you. If you have a manuscript but no interior yet, our book formatting is included in the publishing packages.
Ready to publish your book?
Compare what each package includes, or send us your questions on WhatsApp.