Hardcover Book Printing FAQs

What page counts work for hardcover books?
The minimum is 24 pages. After that, the page count should increase in increments of 4. Our calculator goes up to 500 pages, but if your book is longer than that, just contact us for a quote.

Do your hardcover books lay flat, and how should I design for the gutter?
They open pretty flat, but not 100% flat like a board book. Our hardcovers use Smyth sewn binding, so they open much better than a glue-only POD hardcover. Some printers use a glued construction, so part of the gutter gets glued together and is harder to see. With our construction, you do not need to worry about that issue in the same way. There will still be some curve going into the gutter, but you can still see the center of the gutter pretty well, which works well for spread images across two pages.

What hardcover board thicknesses do you offer, and how do I choose?
We offer 3 board thicknesses: 2.5 mm, 3 mm, and 3.5 mm. For art books, especially larger-format books, we usually recommend 3.5 mm because it supports the book better and helps resist warping over time. 2.5 mm is the lightest option, so it works well for lighter novel-type books when you want to keep the book more compact and keep the cost down. 3 mm is the standard option and gives a good balance between weight, strength, and cost.

What affects hardcover pricing the most?
The biggest factors are quantity, size, and page count. Paper weight, paper finish, and lamination type also affect the price, but usually to a smaller degree. The reason is that offset printing comes with a fixed setup cost, and a large part of that cost is tied to plate making and how efficiently the pages fit on the press sheet. The more pages we can fit on a larger sheet, the fewer sheets and plates we need, which means less waste and a lower cost.

Can I add a dust jacket, foil, UV, or slipcase to a hardcover book?
Yes. Hardcover is the format most often paired with premium add-ons such as dust jackets, foil stamping, spot UV, raised UV, cloth covers, and slipcases. The main question is not whether the feature is available, but whether it fits the design, budget, and schedule of the book. If you are building a special edition, list every add-on you are considering early so the quote and file setup stay clear from the beginning.

What endsheet options do you offer for hardcover books?
Our standard endsheet is 160 gsm uncoated paper. If you want it printed, we can print it either in full color or in a solid color. At the moment, we do not offer different paper choices for the endsheet, so the main option is whether you want the standard unprinted endsheet or a printed endsheet on the same paper.

Do you offer headbands and ribbon markers?
Yes, we offer both headbands and ribbon markers. We use standard headbands on our books, but if you want a different headband, you can let us know and check the pricing with us. The same goes for ribbon markers. You can find the selection and pricing on the ribbon marker page.

Can hardcover books have a round spine or a square spine?
Yes, hardcover books can have either a round spine or a square spine. By default, we use a square spine. If you prefer a round spine, please let us know when placing the order. It does not affect the cover design or file setup.

What hardcover cover styles do you offer: printed case wrap, cloth, faux leather, or dust jacket?
We offer printed case wrap, cloth cover, faux leather, and dust jacket options. The standard hardcover uses a printed case wrap, which is the best option for full-color artwork. Cloth and faux leather are better when you want a different material look and usually work best with simpler decoration like foil or debossing. A dust jacket can also be added on top for full-color artwork.