How Much Does It Cost to Print a Book in China?
Book printing in China continues to be one of the most cost-efficient solutions for publishers and authors worldwide.
In 2025, average book printing prices range from USD $1.50 to $6.20 per copy, depending on:
-
Binding type (hardcover, paperback, children’s books / picture books)
-
Page count
-
Color vs black-and-white
-
Paper weight
-
Print run (quantity)
-
Finishing and special effects
-
Shipping method
At SunTop Printing, our 26+ years of book manufacturing experience—powered by Heidelberg XL106, KBA 162/142, and Manroland R700 presses—allow us to deliver hardcover books, softcover books, children’s picture books, board books, textbooks, coffee-table books, and premium illustrated titles at consistently competitive prices.
This updated 2025 guide explains:
-
Current industry-standard book printing costs
-
How each cost factor influences final pricing
-
Realistic price ranges for publishers
-
Ways to reduce book manufacturing costs by 30–60%
Note: Our previous Index Book Printing page has been merged into this comprehensive Book Printing Pricing Guide to improve clarity and navigation for publishers.
4.9 Rating
Premium Printing
30%–60%
Cost Saving
100–1M+
Quantity Options
6,000+
Clients Served
Book Printing in China: Key Cost Considerations
1. Binding Type
Hardcover Books
$3.20–$6.20 per unit
(Example: 200 pages, 6×9”, sewn binding, matte/gloss lamination, optional dust jacket)
Paperback Books
$1.60–$3.20 per unit
(Perfect bound, CMYK cover, B/W or color interior)
Why prices differ:
Hardcover books require significantly more materials and labor:
-
1.5–2.5 mm greyboard
-
Endpapers (4–8 pages)
-
Casing-in process
-
Sewn signatures
-
Optional dust jacket
-
Finishing (foil/UV/embossing)
Hardcover books cost 2–3× more because of added materials and the manual labor required for casing-in.
2. Quantity of Print Run
500–1,000 pcs (digital): $4.50–$8.50 per book
2,000–5,000 pcs (offset): $1.90–$3.60 per book
10,000+ pcs (offset mass):
-
Paperback: $1.50–$2.10
-
Hardcover: $2.60–$3.20
Why quantity matters:
Offset printing becomes more cost-efficient because:
-
Plate cost spreads across more units
-
Paper is purchased in bulk
-
Waste percentage decreases
-
Binding line efficiency increases
Offset printing is cost-effective above 2,000 copies due to reduced per-unit setup cost.
3. Paper Stock & Finishes
Paper Stock Options：
-
Art Paper 128–200gsm (photo books, children’s picture books, illustrated titles)
-
Uncoated 80–120gsm (novels, textbooks, workbooks)
-
Eco options: FSC-certified and recycled papers
Finishing Options：
-
Matte / gloss lamination
-
Spot UV / foil stamping (+$0.20–$0.50)
-
Embossing / debossing
-
Dust jackets (+~$0.50 per copy)
Why paper affects cost:
Paper accounts for 30–50% of total book cost.
Heavier or coated stock increases:
-
Material expense
-
Printing ink coverage
-
Weight for shipping
4. Number of Pages & Color
Full-color interiors cost 25–45% more than black-and-white due to ink usage, drying time, and press setup.
Example:
200-page B/W paperback printed in China: ~$2.00
Printed in the US: ~$4.00
Children’s picture books generally sit at the higher end of the color-cost range because of full-bleed illustrations and heavier coated stock.
Economical tip：
Keep total page count divisible by 16 or 32 to reduce imposition waste.
5. Shipping & Logistics
Sea Freight (DDP): 6–9 weeks
Air Freight: 7–10 days
Shipping impact: +$0.20–$1.00 per copy depending on volume and region.
Covered regions include:
-
USA
-
Canada
-
Europe
-
UK
-
Australia
-
Singapore
DDP shipping provides a predictable landed cost including duties, tax, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery.
Best Quality Book Printing in China
Book Printing Cost Breakdown (Paper, Labor, Binding & Logistics)
Paper Cost – 30–50% of Total
-
B/W interior: $0.008–$0.012 per page
-
Full-color interior: $0.015–$0.030 per page
-
Heavier GSM = higher cost + higher freight
Printing Cost – 20–35%
-
Ink usage (CMYK vs B/W)
-
Plate creation (offset)
-
Press time
Binding Cost – 15–30%
Hardcover = highest cost
Softcover = fastest, most economical
Finishing Cost – 5–15%
Foil / UV / embossing / fabric cover options
Shipping Cost – 10–25%
Sea = most economical
Air = fastest
👉 Paper weight, print method, and binding type represent the three biggest contributors to book printing cost.
Digital vs. Offset Printing: What You Need to Know
Best For：
Digital: ≤1,000 copies
Offset: ≥2,000 copies
Setup Cost：
Digital: lower
Offset: higher due to plates
Unit Price：
Digital: higher for small runs
Offset: drops sharply with volume
Turnaround Time：
Digital: 5–7 days
Offset: 10–15 days
👉 Many publishers print 500 digital + scale to 5,000 offset.
How to Optimize Your Book Printing Budget in China
Choosing standard trim sizes such as A5 or 6×9” reduces paper waste and shortens press setup. These formats maximize sheet utilization, lowering overall production cost without affecting quality.
Apply foil, Spot UV, or embossing only to focal points like the cover title or logo. Targeted enhancement preserves premium appearance while keeping finishing fees under control.
Use B/W interiors for text-heavy books and keep page counts divisible by 16 or 32. This improves imposition efficiency, minimizes paper offcuts, and reduces printing cost—especially for longer titles.
Move to offset printing for runs above 2,000 copies to benefit from lower per-unit cost.
Combine multiple SKUs into a single shipment using SunTop’s DDP logistics to reduce freight and customs expenses.
Why SunTop Books Stand Out
Consistent Color, Cover to Cover
With G7® and ISO12647 certified workflows, every page maintains tonal balance and accurate reproduction—vital for illustrated titles, children’s books, and academic publishing.
1
Materials That Match Your Vision
Choose from matte, gloss, uncoated, or eco-friendly FSC® papers, paired with premium finishes like spot UV or foil. Each combination is curated to align with your book’s audience and purpose.
2
Flexible Quantities, Professional Results
From small test runs of 500 copies to large offset volumes of 20,000+, we ensure identical quality across formats—perfect for both indie authors and global publishers.
3
Global Delivery, Seamless Experience
We manage door-to-door shipping to the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, the UK, and Singapore, backed by SunTop’s 180-day quality guarantee and responsive prepress support.
4
Frequently Asked Questions
When planning book printing in China, many publishers and businesses share similar concerns about pricing, minimum order quantities, eco-friendly options, and file preparation. Below, we’ve answered the most common questions to help you better understand the process and make informed decisions.
Q1: What is the average book printing cost in China?
$1.50–$6.20 depending on binding, paper, and quantity.
Q2: Can I print a small batch before scaling?
Yes. Digital runs 200–500 copies.
Q3: Are eco-friendly materials available?
Yes. FSC® paper, recycled stock, and FDA-approved inks.
Q4: Do I need to supply a print-ready PDF?
Yes, but SunTop provides prepress support.
Q5: Why is book printing cheaper in China?
Integrated production, bulk paper sourcing, and efficient labor.
Q6: Can SunTop handle global logistics?
Yes. DDP delivery to US, Canada, Europe, UK, Australia, Asia.
Q7: Hardcover vs paperback cost difference?
Hardcover typically costs 2–3× more.
Q8: What affects book printing cost most?
Color, page count, binding, and shipping weight.
Q9: Do you print children’s books, picture books, or board books?
A9: Yes. SunTop produces board books, picture books, early education books, and color children’s titles using child-safe inks and durable binding options.
Let’s Talk About Your Book Printing Needs
We specialize in hardcover, paperback, and children’s books—combining G7® color accuracy, ISO 12647 process control, and FSC® paper.
With 26+ years of production experience, SunTop helps publishers achieve premium results at competitive cost.
Certified G7® Color Calibration
ISO 12647 Print Process Standard
FSC® Certified Sustainable Materials
Tell us your book size and quantity — get instant cost details.
Explore More Catalog & Booklet Printing Options
From $0.02
From $0.01
From $0.01