Behind the Price Tag: Tips for Managing Book Production Costs
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When you set out to write your book, your primary focus is on the creative process. Then, like a plot twist, you find yourself in the middle of key business decisions like production costs and book pricing. For a creative type, switching into “business mode” can feel a little jarring.
The good news is it’s more manageable — and you have more control over cost — than you might think. From page count to print type, these small decisions can make a big difference.
All the elements of a book are interconnected, meaning a change in one area — like font size or trim size — can ripple through and affect several other factors, such as layout, printing practicality, and even shipping costs. Every choice you make can impact not just the look and feel of your book, but its overall cost as well.
To help you make informed choices and maintain book pricing flexibility, let’s break down what affects book costs and how you can control them without compromising on the quality of your creative vision.
Page Design
Your book’s page count is a major player in the cost equation. Simply put: more pages equals higher printing costs. Every added page nudges up the author’s cost per book, which either leads to higher retails costs or cuts to your margins.
So, how can you keep your page count lean to ease the financial load? The answer lies in smart revisions and book designer tweaks that condense content or make better use of existing space:
Start new chapters on the next available page instead of always starting on the right-hand side
Reduce excessive white space by using narrower margins
Opt for slightly smaller font size (try 11 pt instead of 12 pt)
Cut unnecessary images or reference material (maybe those references are better placed on your author website)
Think of this process as decluttering your manuscript. A clean, concise layout doesn’t just make for a better reading experience — it’s more cost-effective as well.
Edition Types
Choosing between a paperback, casebound hardcover, or dust jacket hardcover isn’t just about aesthetics — it affects your budget, too. Paperbacks are generally the most affordable print option, as they require less expensive materials and have lower production costs than any hardcover format.
Among hardcovers, casebound editions (where the cover art is affixed directly to the hardcover) tend to be more cost-effective than dust-jacketed hardcovers. If you want the durability of a hardcover without the extra expense, a casebound edition strikes a great balance between quality and cost.
When keeping costs low is your priority, opting for a paperback edition will significantly reduce expenses while still offering a professional, high-quality product. However, also having a hardcover available adds diversity to your product mix — ensuring options for those who want a more durable format.
And, of course, eBook editions have very low production costs (the design time to create an attractive and functional flowable eBook); no paper or binding required!
Colour Quality
Colour printing costs can vary dramatically, so it’s important to choose the right option for your book’s needs and budget. Printing is typically offered in three tiers:
Black & White: the most budget-friendly option, ideal for text-heavy books like novels, memoirs, and non-illustrated nonfiction.
Standard Colour: a cost-effective choice for books that need colour but don’t require ultra-vivid images, such as illustrated novels, cookbooks, or children’s books.
Premium Colour: the highest-quality option, offering richer, more vibrant colours with greater depth and detail — best suited for books where image quality is a top priority, like art books and photography collections.
Before finalizing your book’s format, take the time to consider what you definitely need. Changing from black & white to colour — or upgrading from standard to premium colour — can require costly design adjustments and multiple rounds of revisions.
If your book includes images, weigh the importance of colour quality early in the process to avoid expensive changes down the line. Be sure to order a print proof so you can see how the colours look in person to avoid any unpleasant surprises. A little planning now can save both time and money later.
Paper Type
While high-quality, heavy paper can enhance readability and durability, it comes at a higher price. Understanding the trade-offs can help you strike the right balance between quality and affordability:
Paper Weight and Thickness: heavier paper provides a more premium feel, but increases both printing and shipping costs. Lighter paper is more economical, but may be less durable, especially for full-colour books (allowing a “shadow” of the content on the other side of the page to bleed through). The industry standard weight is 50 lbs for black & white books and 70 lbs for colour printing. However, print-on-demand services may offer a limited selection beyond that; working with a large offset printer like Friesens can provide much greater flexibility to match your book’s needs.
Coated vs. Uncoated Paper: coated paper (glossy or matte) enhances image sharpness and vibrancy, making it ideal for illustrated books, but it’s more expensive than standard uncoated paper. If your illustrations are vibrant and stylized, you may not prioritize coated paper; if your illustrations have high detail or delicate nuances (like with watercolours), you may find that coated paper brings your illustrations to life.
Colour Printing Compatibility: certain paper types work better with specific printing methods. Premium colour printing requires high-quality paper to achieve crisp, vibrant results, whereas standard black & white printing is more forgiving.
Choosing the right paper depends on your book’s purpose and budget. A high-end coffee table book benefits from heavier, premium coated paper, while a novel or memoir can remain cost-effective with a lighter, uncoated stock.
Trim Size
Trim size — the overall dimensions of your book — might seem like an aesthetic decision, but it plays a significant role in production costs. The size you choose impacts various production factors, including printing practicality, material use, and overall cost efficiency. While there are industry standards for which trim sizes are used for different types of books (novels are generally 5.5" × 8.5" or 6" x 9", nonfiction textbooks are 8.5" × 11", and a picture book might be a 8.5" × 8.5" square), authors still have flexibility in selecting a trim size that balances cost-effectiveness with readability.
Opting for the right trim size early in the process can help you avoid unnecessary revisions, design changes, or unexpected expenses down the line. Here’s how trim size affects the overall cost of producing your book:
Page Count: a larger trim size can fit more words per page, reducing the total page count and lowering printing costs. Conversely, a smaller trim size increases page count, potentially raising costs.
Paper Usage: standard trim sizes are more efficient for printers, minimizing paper waste. Custom sizes may lead to excess paper being trimmed and discarded, increasing production costs — especially for offset print runs.
Printing and Binding: standard trim sizes align with common printing equipment, making production more efficient and cost-effective. Unique sizes may require special handling, leading to higher printing and binding costs.
Shipping Costs: larger books weigh more and take up more space, leading to higher shipping costs for both authors ordering inventory and readers purchasing physical copies.
Choosing the right trim size at the outset saves money and simplifies production. If you select a non-standard trim size (i.e., 7.5” x 7.5” square) without considering the impact on printing and shipping, you may find yourself making costly changes later — such as needing to get your illustrations redrawn to fit your new trim size! Thoughtful planning ensures your book is cost-efficient to print and distribute — without sacrificing its professional appearance.
Taking control of your book’s production costs puts you in the driver’s seat when it comes to setting a price that works for both you and your readers. By understanding how the various elements of your book impact pricing, you can make informed decisions that keep production affordable without sacrificing quality.
Making smart choices early on will result in a finished book that looks and feels great — all while maximizing your earnings per sale!
