Custom Board Book Printing
For authors, illustrators, small publishers, and brands planning baby books, toddler books, and durable thick-page projects.
How Pricing Works
Start with the complete board book, then add extras if needed
The calculator gives pricing for a finished standard board book. If your project needs custom features, we price those separately based on the details.
Included in the quote
A complete finished board book
Printed 1mm board pages with lamination, rounded corners, binding, and ocean shipping estimate.
Optional add-ons
Custom features if your book needs them
Common add-ons include custom shapes, cover finishes, hardcover cases, slipcases, and packaging.
Price Estimate
Calculate your board book price
This calculator gives you an instant quote based on our standard board book specifications, similar to the board books commonly found in bookstores.
Board Book Price Calculator
Board Book Production Line
How We Build Durable Board Books
Board book production is different from standard book printing. We print on heavy paper, bond and press the sheets into sturdy 1mm board pages, then laminate, trim, round the corners, and assemble the finished book.
Offset printed and laminated
We print the artwork on a Heidelberg offset press for sharp detail and consistent color across the run. The printed sheets are finished with anti-scratch lamination to help protect the surface from everyday handling.
1mm board page construction
Each board page is built from printed sheets that are bonded and compressed into a firm 1mm page. This gives the book the sturdy feel customers expect from bookstore board books.
Trimmed, rounded, and assembled
After the pages are built, we trim the book to size, round the corners, and assemble the final board book so the thick pages stay aligned and easy to handle.
Options
Popular add-ons
Board books can stay simple, or include extra features for presentation or use. You can find pricing on the individual add-on pages.
Padded or hard cover
A more gift-like cover option for premium children’s books.
Contact Us for Quote
Process
How to Order Your Board Book
We guide you from early specs to finished books, so you know what to prepare, what we review, and what happens before production starts.
Choose specs and get pricing
Start with size, page count, quantity, lamination, and shipping region. Use the calculator above for standard board book pricing.
Add optional features
Get add-on pricing from the individual add-on pages, or contact us for details and confirmation.
Send files for review
Send us your files in PDF format. We review them for production and confirm the final pricing at this stage.
Confirm order and approve proof
We confirm the final order details, then you pay the 50% deposit. After that, we send a PDF proof for final approval before production begins. You can also request a physical proof before the full run.
Production and shipping
Most board book production takes 3-4 weeks after approval. Ocean and air shipping options are available depending on your timeline and budget.
FAQ
Common board book questions
How many copies should I print for my first board book?
For a first board book, start with the lowest quantity you can realistically sell. Many customers ask about 100 copies for testing, but that is usually only enough for close friends and family, not enough to test the real market. That is why our calculator starts at 250 copies. For offset board book printing, 250 copies is often a more practical starting point because the setup cost is spread across enough books while still keeping the first run manageable.
Why do board books cost more than regular children’s books?
Board books use more material and setup than regular children’s books. The pages are built as thick boards instead of thin paper pages, so the finished book is heavier than a hardcover book with the same trim size and page count. This is why board books usually cost more to produce and ship, especially at small quantities.
How do I count pages for a board book?
For board books, each visible side counts as one page. The front cover and back cover are separate from the interior pages. In our calculator, we show this as 2P cover + 14 interior to help avoid confusion. For file setup, we usually need two PDF files. One cover file uses our template and includes the front cover, back cover, and spine. The other file includes the interior pages.
Can I make a custom shape board book?
Yes. We can make custom shape board books and die-cut board books. Custom shapes need to be reviewed before we confirm pricing because the shape affects the template, cutting die, production setup, and final cost. Send us the size, shape idea, page count, and artwork if available. We can check what is practical and let you know the best way to set up the book.
Can I order a physical proof before the full run?
Yes. For board books, you can order an offset plate sheet proof before full production. Because board books require special setup, making one complete bound sample is usually not practical. The sheet proof lets you check color, lamination, artwork size, and print quality before the full run. The proof is $120 including air shipping. It usually takes 1-2 weeks to produce, then another 7-10 days to arrive by air.
How long does board book production and shipping take?
Most board book production takes 3-4 weeks after your production approval. Ocean shipping is our budget-friendly option and usually takes about 30 days after production. If you need books sooner, ask about split shipping, with part of the order shipped by air and the rest by ocean. Air shipments usually arrive in 7-10 days.
Have a board book project in mind?
Send us your specs, files, or questions. We’ll help you choose the right setup, options, proof, and shipping plan.