Hardcover book printing gives your work the premium, bookstore-quality presentation that readers associate with major publishers. Whether you want to print your own hardcover book from a novel manuscript, create a custom hardcover photo book, or produce textbooks with black and white interiors, our service lets you upload a PDF, configure your exact specs, and see your price instantly.
Custom hardcover book printing no minimum means you can print a single hardcover book as a proof or order thousands at volume pricing. Configure your book in the calculator above and start your project today.
What Is Hardcover Book Printing?
Hardcover book printing (also called case bound or hardback printing) creates books with rigid protective covers made from thick book board wrapped in your printed cover design. The interior pages form a book block that's permanently attached to the case with endpapers, creating the strongest and most durable book construction available.
This is the same binding used by traditional publishers for first editions, library books, and premium titles. The rigid covers stand upright on shelves, resist bending and damage, and give the book a weight and presence that paperbacks can't match. Hardcover books are perceived as higher value, which is why they command higher retail prices and are the default for gift books, collector's editions, children's picture books, and coffee table books.
Every hardcover book we print includes full-color printing on the front cover, back cover, and spine, plus your choice of glossy or matte lamination for scratch and moisture protection.
Hardcover, Hardback, or Hardbound - What's the Difference?
If you've been searching for "hardcover book printing," "hardback book printing," or "hardbound printing," you've been looking for the same thing with different terminology. Here's how the terms break down:
- • Hardcover is the American English term. Most US publishers, bookstores, and consumers use "hardcover" when referring to rigid-case-bound books. This is also the default term on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and most US book retailers.
- • Hardback is the British English and Commonwealth term. UK, Australian, Canadian, and Indian English speakers typically say "hardback" to mean the same thing. Publishers like Penguin Random House UK and Bloomsbury use "hardback" in product listings.
- • Hardbound is the formal industry term. Book printers, binderies, and traditional publishing professionals use "hardbound" when referring to the technical construction method. You'll see it in industry publications and specifications more than consumer-facing marketing.
All three terms describe the same book construction: rigid book board covers wrapped in printed and laminated material, with the interior pages sewn or glued into a permanent case. At YourBookPress, when you order hardcover book printing, you're ordering hardback printing and hardbound book printing. Same process, same result, same quality - just different words for the same thing.
The one subtle distinction: "case bound" is the precise technical term for how the construction works (the rigid case is attached to the book block via endpapers). "Hardcover," "hardback," and "hardbound" all refer to case-bound construction in practice.
How to Print a Hardcover Book
Here's the step-by-step process for printing your own hardcover book with YourBookPress:
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1
Prepare your interior PDF
Format your manuscript as a print-ready PDF matching your chosen trim size. Include 0.125" bleed on all sides, set images to 300 DPI, and use CMYK color mode. You can create your PDF in Canva (free), Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Word, or Google Docs. If you already have a PDF - even from another project - you can print a hardcover book from that PDF directly.
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2
Configure and price your book
Use the calculator at the top of this page to select your trim size, page count, interior color (B&W or full color), paper type, cover finish, and quantity. Your price updates in real time - no waiting for quotes, no sales calls.
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3
Upload your PDF
Our upload system checks your file for common issues - low-resolution images, incorrect dimensions, missing bleed, and color space problems. If anything needs attention, you'll see exactly what to fix.
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4
Design your cover
Use our built-in cover designer to create your hardcover cover (front, spine, and back) without any design software. The tool automatically calculates spine width based on page count and paper type. Or upload your own pre-designed cover file.
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5
Review and approve your proof
We generate a digital proof showing exactly how your finished hardcover book will look. Check every detail - text, images, color, layout - before anything goes to press.
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6
Receive your books
Standard production takes 5-7 business days. Your hardcover books ship directly to your door with tracking. Free ground shipping on orders of 50+ copies.
Print a Single Hardcover Book - No Minimum Order
You don't need to order hundreds of copies. You can print a single hardback book - one copy, shipped to your door. Custom hardcover book printing with no minimum is ideal for:
- Proof copies - review print quality, color accuracy, and binding before placing a larger order. Most experienced authors order one proof first and adjust their files based on the physical result.
- Personal projects - a memoir for your family, a photo book from a trip, a recipe collection for your kids. One copy is all you need.
- Gifts - a custom hardcover book makes a deeply personal gift. Print one copy of a family history, a book of letters, or a photo album for someone special.
- Portfolio samples - authors, photographers, and designers print a single hardcover book as a portfolio piece to show clients or agents.
When you're ready to scale up, our volume pricing kicks in automatically - 15, 50, 150, 300, and 1,000+ copy price breaks are built into the calculator. But you never have to order more than you need.
Self-Publish a Hardcover Book - The YourBookPress Approach
Self-publishing a hardcover book has historically been expensive and complicated. Traditional offset printers required minimum orders of 500-2,500 copies and upfront investments of $5,000-$15,000. Amazon KDP only recently added hardcover options and charges a premium on every unit sold. IngramSpark offers hardcover but with setup fees, complex royalty math, and a distribution model that makes small runs uneconomical.
Self-publishing a hardback book through YourBookPress works differently. There's no minimum order, no setup fee, no distribution agreement, and you keep 100% of your sales revenue. Print 1 copy, 50 copies, or 1,000 copies - same per-unit rate structure, same professional quality, same turnaround.
What self-publishing hardback books costs with us:
A 250-page 6"x9" B&W hardcover (typical novel-length):
- • 1 copy: ~$20
- • 25 copies: ~$13 each
- • 100 copies: ~$9 each
- • 500 copies: ~$6 each
Common self-publish hardcover use cases:
- • Novel hardcover editions - publish a premium hardback version alongside your paperback, priced at $25-35, sold direct to superfans
- • Limited edition hardback releases - numbered first editions of 50-200 copies for Kickstarter backers, patrons, or direct supporters
- • Gift and presentation copies - hardcovers to send to reviewers, influencers, literary agents, or prize committees
- • Author event inventory - hardcovers for signings, conferences, literary festivals where a premium price point makes sense
- • Bookstore consignment - small hardback runs for local independent bookstores willing to carry self-published titles
The cost to self-publish a hardcover book with YourBookPress is fully transparent - the calculator price is the final price. No surprise fees, no mandatory distribution agreements, no royalty splits.
Hardcover Photo Book Printing
Hardcover is the gold standard for photo books. The rigid case protects your images, and the premium binding gives every page a gallery-quality presentation. When you print hardcover photo book projects with us - whether for a wedding, a travel collection, or a fine-art portfolio - the case binding treats each spread like a framed print.
Best specs for hardcover photo books:
- Paper: 100# glossy for vivid color reproduction and sharp image detail.
- Interior color: Premium Color for the richest tones and most accurate color matching.
- Sizes: 8.5" x 11" for portrait photo books, 11" x 8.5" tabloid landscape for landscape photography, or square formats for Instagram-style albums.
- Cover finish: Glossy lamination makes cover photos pop. Matte gives a more understated fine-art look.
Popular hardcover photo book projects include wedding albums, family photo books, travel collections, newborn and baby milestone books, graduation memory books, portfolio books, and coffee table books.
You can print a hardcover photo book from a PDF created in any design tool - Canva, Lightroom, InDesign, Blurb BookWright, or even PowerPoint. Just export as a print-ready PDF and upload.
Hardcover Textbook - Black and White Printing
Not every hardcover book needs full-color interiors. Hardcover textbook black and white printing (also called hardcover text book black and white printing), academic publications, reference books, and literary novels work best with standard or premium black and white interiors at a significantly lower per-page cost than color.
Best specs for B&W hardcover books:
- Paper: 70# Uncoated for novels, memoirs, and text-heavy books. 80# Coated if your textbook includes diagrams, charts, or grayscale images that benefit from sharper reproduction.
- Interior color: Standard B&W for the most affordable option. Premium B&W for crisper grayscale images and deeper blacks.
- Sizes: 6" x 9" for novels and nonfiction. 8.5" x 11" for textbooks, manuals, and academic publications. A4 for international academic formats.
A 200-page hardcover textbook with B&W interior costs 40-60% less per unit than the same book in full color. This makes hardcover binding accessible even for budget-conscious academic publishers and educators.
Hardcover Book Sizes & Specifications
We offer custom hardcover book printing in all 11 trim sizes:
| Size | Dimensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| US Trade | 6" x 9" | Novels, memoirs, nonfiction (most popular) |
| Letter | 8.5" x 11" | Photo books, yearbooks, art books, textbooks |
| Tabloid Landscape | 11" x 8.5" | Coffee table books, photography collections |
| Digest | 5.5" x 8.5" | Literary fiction, poetry, devotionals |
| Executive | 7" x 10" | Illustrated nonfiction, field guides |
| A4 | 8.27" x 11.69" | International academic & corporate |
| A5 | 5.83" x 8.26" | European compact format |
| 4.25" x 6.23" | Gift books, prayer books, keepsakes | |
| Landscape | 9" x 7" | Mid-size photo books & children's books |
| Crown Quarto | 7.44" x 9.68" | Classic British illustrated nonfiction |
Page count: Hardcover works from 24 pages up to 800+ pages. No practical maximum.
Paper options:
- 70# Uncoated - classic novel paper. Natural feel, easy on the eyes, most affordable. Best for text-heavy books.
- 80# Coated - versatile middle ground. Sharper image reproduction than uncoated. Good for books mixing text and photographs.
- 100# Glossy - heavyweight premium. Vivid color, sharp detail. The choice for photo books, art books, and children's books.
Cover finishes: Glossy for high-shine vibrant covers (best for photo books and children's titles). Matte for soft, elegant, no-glare finishes (best for novels, memoirs, and business books).
Types of Hardcover Binding
Technically, "hardcover" refers to the outer construction, not the specific way the interior pages are bound. Within hardcover book printing, there are several methods for securing the pages inside the case:
Case Binding (Our Standard)
The most common hardcover binding method. Pages are glued to the spine with strong adhesive, then the entire book block is attached to the rigid case via endpapers (the first and last pages, glued to the inside of the covers). This is what we use on every hardbound book printed at YourBookPress. It's strong, durable, and produces the professional flat-spined hardback appearance associated with major publishers. Supports 24 to 800+ pages.
Perfect Bound Hardcover
Technically a subset of case binding, "perfect bound hardcover" refers to case bound books using perfect binding glue methods for the interior spine. The "perfect" refers to the glue type (PUR or EVA adhesive) used to attach the pages to the spine before the case is applied. When you see "perfect binding hardcover" or "hardcover perfect binding" in search results, this is usually what's meant. Our standard hardcover uses this approach.
Smyth Sewn / Thread Sewn
A premium hardcover construction where pages are physically sewn together in signatures (groups of folded pages) before being attached to the case. This produces the most durable book possible - the kind of construction used by Bibles, dictionaries, and heirloom-quality editions meant to last a century. Not offered as standard, but available on request for special projects (longer production time, higher cost).
Cloth Bound / Linen Hardcover
Not a different binding method, but a different cover material. Cloth or linen is wrapped over the book board instead of printed paper. Popular for wedding albums, fine art books, and limited editions. We offer linen-textured cover stock as an option on any hardback order.
Most customers searching for "types of hardcover binding" or "hardcover book binding types" are comparing case binding (our standard) to Smyth sewn (rare, expensive). For 99% of hardback book printing projects, case binding is the right answer.
How Much Does It Cost to Print a Hardcover Book?
Hardcover is the most premium binding type, so per-unit cost is higher than perfect bound paperback or saddle stitch. But volume discounts make a dramatic difference. Here are two realistic pricing benchmarks:
200-page 6" x 9" Standard B&W on 70# Uncoated
| Quantity | Per copy | You save |
|---|---|---|
| 1 copy (proof) | ~$18-22 | - |
| 15 copies | ~$14-16 | ~25% |
| 50 copies | ~$10-12 | ~45% |
| 150 copies | ~$7-9 | ~60% |
| 500+ copies | ~$5-6 | ~70% |
200-page 8.5" x 11" Premium Color on 100# Glossy (photo book)
| Quantity | Per copy | You save |
|---|---|---|
| 1 copy | ~$35-45 | - |
| 15 copies | ~$28-32 | ~25% |
| 50 copies | ~$20-24 | ~45% |
| 150 copies | ~$14-18 | ~55% |
| 500+ copies | ~$10-13 | ~65% |
Use the calculator at the top of this page for exact pricing with your specific specs. These are estimates - your actual price depends on your exact configuration.
Wondering about hardback book printing prices specifically? The prices above apply identically whether you call it hardcover, hardback, or hardbound. Hardback book printing costs the same as hardcover book printing at YourBookPress - there's no price difference based on which term you search. Hardbound printing prices follow the same per-unit structure across all 11 trim sizes, all paper types, and all page counts.
Tips for cheap hardcover book printing (without losing quality):
- Choose B&W interior if your content is text-only - saves 40-60% vs color.
- Use 70# uncoated paper - lowest cost per page.
- Select 6" x 9" trim - our most cost-efficient hardcover size.
- Order 50+ copies - unlocks major volume discounts plus free shipping.
- Skip the dust jacket if budget is tight - the laminated case cover is already durable and attractive.
Print on Demand Hardcover Books
With no minimum order requirement, YourBookPress works as a print on demand hardcover book service. Print one copy at a time, only when you need it, with no inventory risk and no upfront investment.
How authors use print on demand hardcover:
- Direct sales from your website - customer orders a book, you place a print order, we ship it. No warehouse, no unsold stock.
- Event sales - print 10-20 copies before a book signing, reading, or conference. Reorder when you sell out.
- Test the market - print 1-5 copies to test your cover design, pricing, and audience response before investing in a large run.
- Gifts and review copies - print a handful of hardcover copies to send to reviewers, influencers, or as personal gifts.
When demand grows, you can seamlessly transition to bulk ordering for volume discounts. Many authors start with print on demand at 1-10 copies, then move to 50-100 copy orders once they have consistent sales. Unlike Amazon KDP or IngramSpark, we don't take a percentage of your sales or require exclusivity.
Hardcover vs Paperback - Which Should You Print?
This is the most common question from first-time authors. Here's the honest breakdown:
Choose hardcover when:
- • You want the most durable, premium-looking book
- • Your book is a gift, keepsake, or collectible
- • You plan to sell at a premium price point ($20-40+)
- • The book is image-heavy (photo books, art, children's books)
- • You want your self-published book to look indistinguishable from a major publisher's title
Choose paperback when:
- • Budget is the top priority - 40-60% less per unit
- • You're printing for mass distribution at the lowest cost
- • The book is primarily text and doesn't need rigid covers
- • You want a lighter, more portable format
The smart play: print both. A hardcover edition for direct sales, gift copies, and premium pricing. A paperback edition for Amazon, bookstores, and wider distribution. Dual-format maximizes both perceived value and market reach. For a deep-dive comparison, see our hardcover vs paperback guide.
Do hardcover books have larger print? Not inherently. The binding doesn't affect font size - your interior PDF determines that. However, hardcovers are often printed in larger trim sizes (6" x 9" vs 5" x 8"), which gives more room for larger margins and slightly larger text if you choose. The print size is entirely in your control.
Dust Jackets & Premium Finishes
Take your hardcover book to the next level with premium finishing options.
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Dust Jackets
A removable printed paper wrapper with folded flaps that fits over the hardcover case, printed in full color on laminated stock. Dust jackets are standard for traditionally published novels - adding one instantly elevates your book. The inside flaps provide space for author bio, blurbs, and marketing copy.
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Cover Lamination
Every hardcover book includes lamination. Glossy for high-shine visual impact and vibrant photography. Matte for understated elegance and a velvety texture that resists fingerprints. Matte lamination has become the preferred finish for literary fiction and premium nonfiction.
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Linen Hardcover
For a truly premium look, linen-textured cover stock gives your hardcover book a cloth-like tactile feel. Combined with matte lamination, linen hardcover book printing creates a refined, artisanal aesthetic popular for wedding albums, fine art books, and limited editions.
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Full-Color Spine
Every hardcover includes full-color spine printing. Your title and author name are visible on the bookshelf - essential for retail and library placement.
Where Can I Print a Hardcover Book?
You can print a hardcover book online at YourBookPress.com - no need to find a local print shop. Here's why online beats local for custom hardcover book printing services:
- Instant pricing - see your exact cost before you order. No waiting for quotes.
- No minimums - print 1 copy or 10,000. Local shops typically require 50-100+ minimum orders for hardcover.
- Better per-unit pricing - our volume manufacturing keeps costs lower than most local print shops, especially at quantities above 25.
- Ship anywhere - all 50 US states and 50+ countries. Free ground shipping on 50+ copies within the continental US.
- Consistent quality - professional digital and offset printing with color management and quality control on every run.
For anyone searching for custom hardcover book printing services near me - no matter where you're located, we print your books in our professional facility and ship directly to your address. Your books arrive in 5-7 business days (standard) or 2-3 business days (rush).
Who Prints Hardcover Books With Us
- Self-published authors printing novels, memoirs, and literary fiction in hardcover for premium pricing and bookstore-quality presentation.
- Photographers printing portfolio books, photography books, and coffee table books on glossy heavyweight paper with rigid covers.
- Children's book creators printing durable picture books with vivid full-color illustrations that survive kid-level wear and tear.
- Businesses printing corporate histories, brand books, executive gifts, and catalogs in hardbound editions that communicate permanence and professionalism.
- Schools printing yearbooks, commemorative books, and institutional histories designed to last decades.
- Families printing baby books, wedding albums, reunion books, and family histories as heirloom keepsakes.
- Coaches, therapists & consultants printing authority books that establish credibility and serve as premium business cards.
- Journal and planner creators printing premium hardback journals, guided journals, and planners for direct-to-customer sales. Hardcover journal printing gives the book a premium feel customers expect at the $20-40 price point.
- Coffee table book creators printing short-run hardback editions for gift markets, corporate commissions, and small gallery releases. For dedicated coffee table projects, see our coffee table book printing page.
- Short run hardcover book printing customers who need 10-100 copies for event launches, crowdfunding fulfillment, or test market runs. No minimums means you order exactly what you need.
PDF to Hardcover Book (or Hardback Book) - File Requirements
Already have a PDF? Here's what you need to know to go from PDF to hardcover book printing. For the full walkthrough covering all binding types, see our print a book from PDF guide.
Interior PDF specs:
- •Page size matches your selected trim size (e.g., 6" x 9" for US Trade)
- •0.125" bleed on all sides (if your content extends to the page edge)
- •300 DPI minimum for all images
- •CMYK color mode (not RGB) for accurate color reproduction
- •Fonts embedded in the PDF
- •No crop marks, registration marks, or color bars
Cover PDF specs:
- •Full wrap: front cover + spine + back cover as a single spread
- •Spine width calculated based on page count and paper type (our cover designer handles this automatically)
- •0.125" bleed on all outer edges
- •Text and critical elements kept 0.25" from trim edges
Don't have a PDF yet? Create one for free using Canva, Google Docs, or Microsoft Word. For more complex layouts, use Adobe InDesign. Export as a high-resolution print-quality PDF. Our upload system checks your file automatically for resolution issues, dimension mismatches, and color space problems - so you'll know immediately if anything needs fixing.
Shipping & Delivery
- Standard production: 5-7 business days after proof approval.
- Rush production: 2-3 business days, available at checkout.
- Free shipping: Orders of 50+ copies ship free via ground within the continental US.
- Smaller orders: Ground shipping calculated at checkout based on weight and destination.
- International: We ship to 50+ countries worldwide.
- Packaging: Hardcover and hardback books are packed with extra protective material to ensure rigid covers arrive pristine.
What Customers Say
"Printed a 260-page hardcover memoir as a single proof copy first, then came back for 150 at volume pricing. The matte-laminated cover and squared spine look exactly like a bookstore first edition. My readers keep asking who my publisher is."
Evelyn Harper
Memoir author
"Needed a hardcover photo book for a wedding client - 80 pages, 11x8.5 landscape, full color on 100# glossy. Ordered two proof copies to dial in the color, then ran 40 copies for the couple. Quality was indistinguishable from premium services I used to pay 3x more for."
Jonas Albrecht
Wedding photographer
"We print hardback brand books for corporate clients and YourBookPress has become our default. No minimums means we can do small executive gift runs, and the volume pricing at 100+ copies makes larger brand launches affordable. Turnaround has been reliable on every order."
Priya Menon
Brand consultancy, Mumbai
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to print a hardcover book?
A 200-page, 6"x9" B&W hardcover starts at ~$18-22 for one copy, dropping to ~$5-6 at 1,000 copies. Full-color photo books cost more. Use the calculator above for an exact instant quote.
Can I print a single hardcover book?
Yes. No minimum order. Print 1 copy for proofing, personal use, or as a gift. Volume discounts start at 15 copies.
How to print a hardcover book from a PDF?
Upload your print-ready PDF (matching your trim size, 300 DPI, CMYK, 0.125" bleed), configure your specs in the calculator, design or upload your cover, review your proof, and order. We handle the rest. If you already have a PDF from another project, you can print hardcover book from PDF directly without redesigning.
Do hardcover books have larger print?
Not necessarily. Print size is determined by your PDF layout, not the binding. However, hardcovers often use larger trim sizes, giving more room for larger margins and text.
Where can I print a hardcover book?
Online at YourBookPress.com. Upload your PDF, configure your book, get instant pricing, and we ship to all 50 US states and 50+ countries. No need to visit a local print shop.
Is print on demand available for hardcover books?
Yes. With no minimum order, you can print hardcover books one at a time, on demand. No inventory, no upfront investment.
How to print your own hardcover book?
Prepare your manuscript as a PDF, upload it to YourBookPress, use our cover designer, review your proof, and order. No design experience needed.
What's the cheapest way to print a hardcover book?
Choose B&W interior, 70# uncoated paper, 6"x9" trim, and order 50+ copies. This combination gives the lowest per-unit cost for cheap hardcover book printing while maintaining professional quality.
Can I print a hardcover photo book?
Yes. Use 100# glossy paper with premium color interior. Popular sizes include 8.5"x11", 11"x8.5" landscape, and square formats.
Do you offer linen hardcover book printing?
Yes. Linen-textured cover stock is available for a cloth-like tactile finish. Popular for wedding albums, fine art books, and limited editions.
Is hardback book printing the same as hardcover book printing?
Yes - "hardback" and "hardcover" refer to the same book construction. "Hardback" is common in British English and Commonwealth countries; "hardcover" is the American English term. Both describe books with rigid book-board covers wrapped in printed material, with interior pages bound into a permanent case. Same service, same price, same result. Some publishers and printers also use "hardbound" to mean the same thing.
What's the difference between hardcover and hardbound printing?
There's no meaningful difference. "Hardcover" is the consumer-facing term, "hardbound" is the formal printing-industry term, and both describe the same case-bound book construction. When you order hardcover book printing from us, you're ordering hardbound printing - the words are interchangeable.
How much does it cost to self-publish a hardcover book?
Self-publishing a 250-page 6"x9" B&W hardback book starts at around $20 per copy for a single proof and drops to about $6 per copy at 500 copies. Compared to Amazon KDP hardcover or IngramSpark hardcover options, printing with YourBookPress typically gives you equal or lower per-unit cost with 100% of sales revenue going to you - no marketplace cut, no distribution agreement.
Can I do short run hardcover book printing for 10-50 copies?
Yes. Short run hardcover book printing is one of our most common use cases. Print 5, 10, 25, or 50 copies with no setup fees and automatic volume pricing. Ideal for book launches, crowdfunding fulfillment, author events, or testing a hardback edition before committing to a larger print run.
Do you offer hardcover journal printing or personalized hardback books?
Yes. Hardcover journals, personalized hardback books, and custom hardcover diaries all use the same hardback book printing process. Upload your design as a PDF, choose your paper and cover finish, and order any quantity from 1 to 1,000+. Popular for guided journals, wedding guestbooks, family legacy journals, and corporate gifts.
Can you do one off hardback book printing for a single copy?
Yes. One off hardback book printing is exactly what we specialize in - no minimum order, no setup fees, single copies at transparent per-unit pricing. Common for proof copies, personal gifts, family history books, and portfolio samples.
