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Hardcover Book Printing

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Brand: BookPrintingChina
Rating: 4.9 (216 reviews)

Hardcover books, also known as case-bound books, are among the most durable and premium bookbinding options available. Their sturdy construction and elegant appearance make them ideal for any project that requires longevity and visual impact, such as photo books, yearbooks, art books, coffee table books, cookbooks, children’s books, special editions, etc. Hardcover binding not only protects interior pages from wear and tear but also enhances the perceived value of the book, making it suitable for both personal collections and commercial distribution.

At BookPrintingChina, we offer fully customized hardcover book printing solutions tailored to the needs of publishers, self-publishers, artists, educators, and organizations. You can choose from vibrant full-color printing or classic black-and-white printing, along with a wide selection of cover materials, interior paper stocks, bindings, and special finishes. Our goal is to deliver high-quality books tailored to your creative vision, budget, and production needs.

What are Hardcover Books

Hardcover books, also called case-bound or hardback, are made by sewing pages into sections, trimming, folding, and collating them. The assembled pages are then attached to a rigid 2–3 mm gray board cover, which can be wrapped in paper, cloth, leather, or other specialty materials. This construction ensures long-lasting durability and a premium feel, making hardcover books ideal for a wide range of publications, from novels to reference books.

They are typically finished with either a square or round spine. Square spines are recommended for books with 32 pages or more, while round spines are best for titles over 200 pages. Both options provide smooth opening, structural stability, and a professional, polished appearance.

Popular Hardcover Book Printing Sizes

At BookPrintingChina, we offer a wide range of hardcover book size options to suit different content types, reading habits, and design requirements. Choosing the right trim size plays a key role in readability, visual impact, and overall production cost. Below are some of the most popular hardcover sizes used across various book genres.

Fiction books are typically produced in reader-friendly formats that balance portability and comfort. Common sizes include 5″ × 8″, 5.5″ × 8.5″, and 6″ × 9″, all of which provide ample space for text while remaining easy to hold and store.
Children’s books often require larger formats to showcase colorful illustrations and interactive layouts. Popular sizes include 6″ × 6″, 8″ × 8″, 8.5″ × 8.5″, 10″ × 10″, 8″ × 10″, 8.5″ × 11″, and A4, offering flexibility for picture books, educational titles, and storybooks.
Coffee table art and photography books favor larger trims that highlight high-resolution images and visual storytelling. Frequently used sizes include 10″ × 10″, 11″ × 11″, 12″ × 12″, 8.5″ × 11″, 9″ × 12″, and A4, delivering a premium, gallery-style presentation.
Cookbooks require practical layouts that accommodate recipes, step-by-step photos, and easy page turning. Popular sizes include 8″ × 8″, 8″ × 10″, 8.5″ × 11″, and A4, ensuring clarity and usability in the kitchen.
Comic books typically follow industry-standard dimensions for visual flow and binding compatibility, with 6.625″ × 10.25″ being a widely accepted and recognizable format.

In addition to these common options, we also provide custom trim sizes, allowing you to tailor your hardcover book to your unique design vision, audience needs, and budget.

What are Hardcover Book Covers Made of

The standard hardcover book cover is typically constructed from 2–3 mm gray board and wrapped with 157 gsm coated paper, providing a strong, durable structure and a clean, professional appearance. This combination is widely used for its balance of rigidity, print quality, and cost efficiency.

At BookPrintingChina, we offer a broad selection of alternative cover wrapping materials to suit different styles and branding needs. Options include faux leather, fabric, kraft paper, and other specialty materials, allowing you to create a distinctive look and tactile experience. Whether you prefer a classic, modern, or premium finish, our customization options ensure your hardcover book looks and feels like a true masterpiece.

Popular Cover Wrapping Materials

We provide an extensive range of leather and fabric options, offering various colors, finishes, and textures to suit every style and design preference. Below is a carefully curated selection of our most popular choices.

Fabric Color Options

Leather Color Options

If you’re unsure which cover material best suits your project or can’t find the option you need, please contact our team of experts. We are here to help.

Hardcover Book Interior Paper Options

Interior paper selection depends on factors such as book genre, page count, budget, and intended use. At BookPrintingChina, we offer a wide range of paper options to suit your specific requirements, including:

Not sure which paper is right for your project? Get in touch with our printing experts for personalized recommendations.

Hardcover Book Special Finishes and Add-on Options

At BookPrintingChina, we offer a wide selection of special finish and add-on solutions designed specifically for custom hardcover books.

Pupular Special Finishes

Custom Add-on Solutions

Questions & Answers

What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for case bound book printing?

Our minimum order quantity for case-bound book printing usually starts at 100 copies. The more you print, the lower the unit cost will be.

How do I calculate the spine width of a hardcover book?

You can calculate the spine width using the following formula:

Spine width = (Cover wrap paper thickness × 2) + (Paper board thickness x 2) + (Endpaper thickness x 4) + (Page count × Interior paper thickness / 2)

For example, if your interior pages use 157gsm coated paper (about 0.136mm thick per sheet), endpaper uses 140gsm offset paper (about 0.16mm thick per sheet), and your cover is 157gsm coated paper (about 0.136mm thick per sheet) wrapped in 3mm paperboard, you can plug in the values to get an estimated spine width.

Why hardcover books are expensive than paperbacks?

Hardcover books are generally more expensive because they require more materials, labor, and specialized production processes. Unlike paperbacks, hardcovers use thick boards, dust jackets, and durable binding methods such as case binding.

These extra materials and craftsmanship result in a sturdier, longer-lasting book with a premium feel, which naturally increases the production cost compared to softcover books.

Can I order a sample before ordering?

Yes! You can order a physical sample before placing an order to check our paper, binding and finish and printing quality.

What file format do you accept for printing?

We recommend submitting high-resolution PDF files with embedded fonts and images. Please include a 3 mm bleed for interior pages and a 20 mm wrap-around margin for the cover file.

If your files are created in InDesign or Illustrator, please export them as print-ready PDFs to ensure accurate printing.

How do I send files to you for hardcover book printing?

For small files, you can upload them directly through our online inquiry form or send them via email to sales@bookprintingchina.com. For large files, please share a download link using platforms such as WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive.

Do you provide design or file setup support?

Yes, our prepress team offers free file checking to ensure your files are print-ready. We can also provide cover templates, spine width calculation, and basic layout guidance if needed.

Do you provide proofing services?

Yes, we offer several proofing options, including PDF proof, physical sample, dummy sample, digital printed sample, and offset printed sample.

After you complete the deposit and before mass production, we usually provide a free digital printed sample for your confirmation.

If your book includes Pantone colors or requires strict color accuracy, we recommend ordering an offset-printed proof of a few pages. Please note that offset proofs are not free; the cost depends on factors such as the number of pages, Pantone colors, and other specifications.

How long does hardback book printing take?

The hardback book production time usually takes 15–20 days after the final file is approved. The exact timeline depends on the order quantity, binding style, design complexity, and our current production schedule. Shipping time will vary based on your destination and chosen shipping method.

How do you ensure printing quality?

We perform strict quality checks at every production stage—printing, trimming, binding, and packaging—to guarantee color accuracy and durable binding for every order.

What shipping methods are available?

We offer air, sea, and express shipping (DHL, FedEx, UPS). Our team will recommend the most cost-effective and reliable method based on your delivery time and budget.

Hardcover Book Cover File Design Guide

Here’s a clear, easy-to-follow guide to help you prepare your hardcover (casebound) cover files correctly.

Hardcover covers are printed on a single sheet of paper, which is then wrapped around the greyboard to form the finished case.

Hardcover Book Cover Template

We recommend creating your hardcover cover file using our template. Once your template is ready, review the design guidelines below to ensure accurate setup. (Remenber, when you export your cover file, please remove the guidelines.)

Calculate the overall dimensions of your hardcover cover, including both the total cover height and total cover width:

Total Cover Height

Start with the height of your interior pages.
Add 0.275 inches (7 mm) to the page height.
Then add 0.79 inches (20 mm) to both the top and bottom—1.58 inches (40 mm) total—for the foldover. This foldover area wraps around and is glued to the inside of the greyboard. Extend your artwork fully into this area, even though most of it will not be visible.
This gives you the total cover height, including foldovers.

Total Cover Width

Begin with the width of your interior pages.
Subtract 0.16 inches (4 mm) from the page width, while for a round spine, subtract 0.2 inches (5 mm) from the page width.
Add 0.79 inches (20 mm) for the foldover on each side. (See above)
Add 0.43 inches (11 mm) for the hinge area (NOTE! Remember, for a square spine, add 0.4 inches / 10 mm), which allows the cover to open smoothly without stressing the spine.
Multiply the adjusted page width by two.
Calculate the spine width using our spine width formula and add it to the total. For rounded spines, multiply 1.08 by the standard spine width.

You now have the total cover width, including spine, hinges, and foldovers.

Example: For an 8.5″ × 11″ hardcover book with a 0.328″ spine.

Total cover height: Start with the interior page height of 11″. Add 0.275″ to reach 11.275″. Then add 1.58″ for the top and bottom foldover areas (0.79″ × 2). This results in a total cover height of 12.855″.

Total cover width: Begin with the interior page width of 8.5″ and subtract 0.16″ to get 8.34″. Add 0.43″ for the hinge and 0.79″ for the foldover, bringing the width to 9.56″. Multiply this figure by two, then add the 0.328″ spine width. The final total cover width is 19.448″.

Hardcover Book File Specifications

At BookPrintingChina, we offer professional file-checking services and custom templates. If you’re unsure how to layout your artwork, feel free to contact us; we’re happy to provide detailed guidelines and support.

Watch this short video to discover BookPrintingChina and see how we bring your hardcover book printing projects to life using state-of-the-art printing and binding equipment, meticulous attention to detail, and strict quality control at every stage of production.

How Our Hardcover Books are Made

Our hardcover books combine state-of-the-art offset printing with durable sewn hardcover binding to deliver precise color, sharp details, long-lasting strength, and a smooth, lay-flat page-turning experience. Below is a clear overview of the key production steps involved:

Parent sheets printing: Large parent sheets are printed with a state-of-the-art offset printer to ensure consistent color, sharp details, and efficient press production.
Cut to size: Printed sheets are precisely cut to the required page dimensions for accurate folding and binding.
Folding and collating into signatures: Sheets are folded and gathered in the correct order to form signatures, creating the book’s page structure.
Sewing signatures into a book block: Signatures are stitched together with strong thread, forming a durable and flexible book block.
Trimming and spine gluing: The book block edges are trimmed clean, and the spine is reinforced with strong glue for added strength.
Assembly: The finished book block is mounted into a rigid case wrapped in printed paper, fabric, leatherette, or special material, then securely bonded with a strong yet flexible adhesive for lasting durability and smooth page movement.

How Our Hardcover Books are Made

Parent sheets printing: Large parent sheets are printed with a state-of-the-art offset printer to ensure consistent color, sharp details, and efficient press production.
Cut to size: Printed sheets are precisely cut to the required page dimensions for accurate folding and binding.
Folding and collating into signatures: Sheets are folded and gathered in the correct order to form signatures, creating the book’s page structure.
Sewing signatures into a book block: Signatures are stitched together with strong thread, forming a durable and flexible book block.
Trimming and spine gluing: The book block edges are trimmed clean, and the spine is reinforced with strong glue for added strength.
Assembly: The finished book block is mounted into a rigid case wrapped in printed paper, fabric, leatherette, or special material, then securely bonded with a strong yet flexible adhesive for lasting durability and smooth page movement.

Watch this short video to discover BookPrintingChina and see how we bring hardcover book printing projects to life using state-of-the-art printing and binding equipment, meticulous attention to detail, and strict quality control at every stage of production.

More Binding Options

Order Process at BookPrintingChina

1

Request a Quote

Submit specs and receive your tailored quote within 1-2 hours.

2

Upload Design

Send your print-ready PDF via email or shared link easily.

3

Review Your File

We check your file for free to ensure perfect print readiness.

4

Approve Proof

Pay the deposit, then make a free digital printed proof for approval.

5

Production

Upon approval, we begin full production with strict quality control.

6

Shipping

After balance payment, we pack securely and ship by air or sea.

BookPrintingChina Reviews

Great custom designs!

Ellen at ChinaPrinting4u was responsive and helpful throughout the process of printing my books. The product was excellent, and the books arrived beautifully packed. I give the company high marks for both quality and customer service!

Katherine: 4 days ago

Great custom designs!

Katherine: 4 days ago

Great custom designs!

Katherine: 4 days ago

Great custom designs!

Katherine: 4 days ago

Great custom designs!

Katherine: 4 days ago

Great custom designs!

Katherine: 4 days ago

Great custom designs!

Katherine: 4 days ago

Great custom designs!

Katherine: 4 days ago

Excellent 4.9

Based on 212 reviews

Why Choose Us For Hardcover Book Printing

Unbeatable Pricing

With over 25 years of printing and shipping experience, we help you save 30–40% on costs than other online printers.

100% Satisifiation

We guarantee 100% high quality; if you’re not completely satisfied, we promise a reprint or a full refund.

Expert Support

One-on-one professional, responsive online assistance, including pre-press artwork, material selection, shipping, etc.

Eco-friendly

All books use non-toxic soy-based inks and offer FSC-certified paper options for safe, eco-friendly, sustainable printing.

Full Customization

Select any size, cover materials and interior paper stock, finish, or specialty feature to match your vision.

Global Shipping

Secure, cost-efficient worldwide shipping options ensure your books arrive safely and on time.

Explore More Our Hardcover Book Printing Case

We’re Love to Hear From You

We appreciate your interest in BookPrintingChina. Our goal is to deliver a hardcover book printing experience that is smooth, cost-effective, refined, and efficient from start to finish.

For general questions, simply submit the enquiry form and our sales specialists will respond promptly. To receive a precise project quote, we encourage you to use our online Quote Form, which helps us match the best options to your specific requirements. You may also contact us directly at sales@bookprintingchina.com.

Our team is available seven days a week, with most enquiries answered within 1–2 hours. We look forward to turning your ideas into beautifully printed products with the quality and attention to detail BookPrintingChina is known for.

TrustScore: 4.9 | 229 reviews