What does it cost to print a book in India? 

Well, well, well! Looks like you have stumbled upon this blog hoping to find the ultimate answer to all your burning questions regarding the pricing of printing your beloved book.  

Concise answer: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.

Long answer: Printing a book is a complex process. When it comes to figuring out the cost of printing a book, a multitude of factors are at play here. The cost of printing a book in India, thus, depends on various elements. The combination of these factors makes the cost estimation rather complex. To understand the nitty-gritty of cost estimation of printing a book, we first need to dig deeper and comprehend the underlying factors involved in the process. 

You may also want to check out our post about Cost of Publishing a Book in India.

Factors influencing the pricing

The cost of printing a book in India can vary significantly based on numerous factors. Let’s break it down and get to the bottom of it.

• Book Specifications

Book specifications such as its size, page count, paper quality etc. impact the cost of printing in their own unique way. 

1. Book size: Book size can vary depending on the type of the book. However, in the publishing industry, 6 inches by 9 inches is considered the most common size. The books of this size are comparatively cheaper to print. Books with non-standard sizes or larger books may require special equipment. Which is why they may incur extra costs making them slightly more expensive than the standard sized books. 
2. Page count: It is obvious that larger books need more pages and ink than the shorter ones do. Moreover, they also require more pages and time to print them. Thus, page count directly impacts the cost of book. For instance, printing a 200-page book would certainly cost more than printing a book with half the number of pages. 
3. Paper type and quality: With a number of options available for both the type and the quality of the paper, it becomes very difficult to pin point the exact cost. The cost thus depends on the kind and quality of the paper you choose. Now, let’s assume that you are trying to choose the perfect paper for your book. You are presented with a number of options but there is a stark difference in their prices too. For instance, a paper around 120 gsm is a little heavier and of better quality than 80 gsm but it costs more too. 
4. Illustrations: Using illustrations or graphics to add aesthetic appeal in your book can impact the cost of printing significantly. The complex designs and use of multiple colors require special printing techniques. This can add to the overall cost of printing your book.

• Printing Techniques

These are the methods which are used to transfer ink onto paper in the form of text or images. All those books displayed in your shelf proudly owe their existence to these remarkable techniques. Let us take a look at the most commonly used printing techniques in publishing industry.

1. Offset Printing: If you are looking to print larger quantities of your book, offset printing is more suitable. It gives high-quality output and has lower per-unit costs. It also offers a wide range of paper options to choose from.
2. Digital Printing: Digital printing is more ideal for printing smaller quantities. Digital printing is faster than offset printing, which means your books can be printed quickly. So, if you have tight deadlines to meet, you can opt for digital printing.
3. Print on Demand: This technique is becoming extremely popular with the first-time authors. The authors do not need to invest a significant amount of money to print a large quantity of books. Simply because in this method, books can be printed as and when they are ordered. This also eliminates the need to have a storage space required to store all those books.

• Quantity

The number of books you want to print is inversely proportional to the cost incurred. In simple words, more the quantity, less the price and vice-versa. Let’s throw in some numbers to help you understand better.

Let us assume that you want to print a 100-page book with a soft cover binding. The printing company may offer you the following pricing structure:

For 100 copies: ₹ 80 per book

For 500 copies: ₹ 50 per book

Printing a larger quantity significantly reduces the per unit-cost of printing a book.

The Real Costs: Understanding What Printing Companies Charge

Print On Web

Print On Web provides online book printing solutions to all over India. They provide a wide range of book sizes, formats and customization options. You can upload your manuscripts directly on their website. Fill out your requirements and choose from a list of varied options. The company would get your books delivered at your doorstep. 

Why choose Print on Web?

• They provide a wide range of options to choose from.
• To cater the variegated requirements of clients, they provide customization facility.
• Due to their competitive pricing policy, they are one of the most sought-after printing companies in India.
• They have received significant appreciation from their client base spread across the company. 

Printing charges:

Let’s say you want to print 200 copies of a 100-page book.

Number of pages: 100        

Number of copies: 200

Paper size: A5 (5.8 inches*6.3 inches)

Color: Black and White        

Paper side: Back-to-back

Paper quality: 75GSM- normal paper

Binding type: soft cover binding

Cover Page: colored, 75GSM

Price 

Source: https://www.printonweb.in/index.php

Printster.in 

Printster.in is India’s first online store dedicated to printing books. Their goal is pretty simple: to provide you with a hassle-free book printing experience in India. They provide quality printing services at an unbeatable price. To understand your printing needs better, they have designed a user-friendly website specifically for book printing.

Why choose Printster.in?

• They offer unique and affordable printing packages.
• Hassle-free and time saving printing experience.
• The easy-to-follow process helps in placing your printing order in no time.

Printing charges:

Number of pages: 100      

Number of copies: 200

Paper size: A5 (5.8 inches*6.3 inches)

Color: Black and White        

Paper side: Back-to-back

Paper quality: 75GSM- normal paper

Binding type: soft cover binding

Cover Page: colored, 75GSM

Source: https://printster.in/pricecalculator/paperback-softcover-softback-books

Pothi

Pothi is an online book publishing and printing platform which provides affordable printing solutions to individuals and small-scale publishers. if you are looking to self-publish your book, you can choose from a wide range of printing services offered by Pothi. They aim to simplify the printing and publishing process making it accessible and cost-effective especially for first-time authors.

Why choose Pothi?

• They provide Print on Demand services to avoid overprinting of books.
• Besides printing your book, they offer marketing and distribution services as well.
• Ideal for first-time authors or small-scale publishers.

Printing Charges

Number of pages: 100

Page size: A5 (5.8 inches * 6.3inches)

Binding: soft cover

Paper type: Plain White (70-80 GSM)

Page color: Black and White interior, Colored cover page

Source: Pothi.com

Print On Demand (PoD)

Print on Demand is a printing model which is becoming extremely popular with authors and small-scale publishers. As the name suggests, your books are printed as soon as there is a demand for them. If you want to print your books without having to invest a significant amount of money upfront, you can get your books printed-on-demand through various online sites. You just have to upload your book file on the site. When someone orders your book, they print and ship the book to that person. You don’t have to keep track of printing and shipping. 

Why Print on Demand?

• It saves you from investing a big chunk of your money to print a large number of copies. 
• It avoids overprinting of books and makes sure that your books don’t go out of stocks.
• It eliminates the need to have a storage facility which is needed to store all your books safely.
• It provides you with a hassle-free and convenient experience of printing your book.

Popular Online Platforms 

With a rise in self-publishing industry, many publishers are providing Print on Demand services to cater to variegated needs of authors. Here are a few reputable online platforms which provide you a hassle-free and quick printing experience for your book.

Notion press

Notion press is an online publishing platform which aims to provide publishing, printing and distribution services to their clients. With a goal to enable writers to fulfill their dreams of publishing their books, Notion Press has been doing wonders in simplifying the printing process since their inception in 2012. Their client base is spread across the globe and they have received critical acclaim for creating highly scalable solutions in publishing industry.

Learn a bit about Notion Press’s Journey so far.

Cinnamon Teal

Cinnamon Teal was founded in 2007 with a simple vision: their passion for books. Their passion to partner up with authors to publish good books. With years of experience in the industry, they have managed to produce top-quality books that stands out from the rest. Though they are based in India, they make your book available for sale worldwide.  

Check out this complete list of 15 Print on Demand Companies

Wrapping up

Alright, my printing-savvy buddies! Now that the printing puzzle has been solved, let us take a look at the checklist of important points to keep in mind while getting your books printed:

• Money matters: It is very easy to get carried away given the number of choices we are provided with. That coated paper may feel like butter in your hand but it may also burn a hole in your pocket. Set a budget and make sound decisions to avoid any financial burden.
• Quality: Although we want you to stay in your budget, but we don’t want you to compromise on the quality of your book to save a few bucks. Poor quality books can have a negative impact on your reputation as an author.
• Do not go overboard with the quantity. Printing larger quantities may fetch you great deals, but it comes at a cost of overprinting your books. Now unless you want to build a fort out of your books, it is better to print a manageable quantity.
• Don’t underestimate the power of negotiation. Do not be afraid to ask for discounts. Who knows, you might get lucky.
• Research, research, research! Do a thorough research and get quotes from multiple companies. This would you help you to compare their prices and the services being offered by them. Make wise choices while also keeping your wallet happy.