Pricing & Quotes FAQs

What affects the price of an offset book order?
Offset book pricing is mostly driven by trim size, page count, quantity, paper, cover construction, add-ons, and shipping. Quantity matters a lot because the setup cost gets spread across more copies, so the unit price usually drops as the run gets larger. Specialty features such as dust jackets, foil stamping, spot UV, slipcases, cloth covers, or physical proofs add cost too. If you already know the specs, start with the Super Calculator. If the project is unusual, send the full details through our quote form.

What is included in a quote, and what can cost extra?
The quote should match the actual job you want us to produce: the book format, quantity, page count, paper, cover, and shipping plan. A standard calculator quote usually reflects the base book built with the options shown on that page. Extras such as physical proofs, dust jackets, foil stamping, UV, cloth covers, slipcases, split shipping, rush handling, and client-side changes after proof can increase the total. If you want to compare a few versions before ordering, send us the exact specs and we will help you price them clearly.

What are your minimum order quantities by book type?
For most book projects, our minimum order quantity starts at 250 copies. This includes most hardcover books, sewn softcover books, board books, and custom book projects. For our cost-efficient glued perfect bound option, the minimum usually starts at 1,000 copies because the specs are more standardized and the production setup is built for larger paperback runs. Some custom constructions, specialty finishes, or unusual materials may require a higher quantity to make the cost reasonable. If you only need a very small run, POD or a local digital printer may be a better fit.

Should I print 250, 500, or more copies for a first run?
The best first run is usually the quantity you can realistically sell or distribute without sitting on boxes for a long time. For hardcover books, board books, and most paperback projects, 250 copies is often a practical starting point. Larger runs can lower the unit price, but they also tie up more cash and storage space. Many first-time authors ask about printing 100 copies, but from our experience, 100 copies is usually only enough for close friends, family, and a few early supporters. It is often not enough to properly test the real market. That is one reason we set our minimum order quantity at 250 copies. It gives the project enough room for real distribution while still keeping the first print run manageable.

Does the online calculator include shipping?
Yes, our main book binding calculators include ocean shipping in the price. The price shown is a door-to-door estimate, including ocean freight, customs clearance, import tax, and duty. For the other feature calculators, such as special finishes or add-ons, those are separate add-on costs. They should be added on top of the book printing price from the main calculator.

Can you print more than 2,000 copies, or help with reprints later?
Yes, we can print more than 2,000 copies. For a brand-new title, we usually do not recommend starting above 2,000 copies. This helps limit risk in case there are content issues, file mistakes, color adjustments, or other things the author may want to change after seeing the first production run. For reprints, the process is usually more straightforward. We confirm the updated quote, check if any file changes are needed, and then proceed with the next production run.

How long is a quote valid?
Our quotes are usually valid for 30 days. After 30 days, please ask us for an updated quote. Our calculator pricing can change week to week. We try to keep up with live costs, whether that is shipping or printing materials, so the pricing stays as close as possible to the actual cost at the time of ordering.

How do reprints work, and what changes affect reprint pricing?
Reprints are usually pretty simple. Just send us an email, and we will confirm the current pricing with you. Reprint pricing can change if the quantity changes, shipping costs have moved, paper or material costs have changed. After that, we go through the standard process again. Once everything is confirmed, we collect the 50% deposit and start the print run.