Softcover
Is there a minimum order quantity for Softcovers?
There is currently no minimum order quantity for our softcover books, but we do require a $1000 minimum on all orders.
Use the price calculator on our website to get accurate pricing for your book order.
Am I able to include printed endpapers in a softcover?
Endpapers are not applicable to softcover books—they are structural components of hardcover books only. The function of endpapers is to attach the bound book block to the hardcover case, whereas softcovers are bound directly to the interior pages.
You can echo the general concept of endpapers by printing a design on the inside cover and first/last pages of the contents. Note that precisely aligning a print across the spread is difficult, so we recommend a forgiving design. Your layout will need to account for the 7mm softcover hinge area, contact us for more details.
Another option is to insert a colored sheet of paper between the cover and first/last pages of the book. This is sometimes called a fly sheet. Contact us for a quote for this custom insert option.
Can I foil stamp on a softcover?
Foil stamping can be done on any of our softcover books, and is particularly suited for classic softcover stock.
[Links] What types of softcovers do you offer?
We offer three styles of softcovers: printed softcovers, classic softcovers, and saddle stitch booklets.
Printed softcover
Our printed softcover books have a glued binding with a crisp, square spine. Covers are printed in full color and finished with one of our three laminate options (gloss, semi matte, soft touch matte).
The laminate protects the print from chipping and wear.
Other options include printing on the inside cover, softcover flaps (french folds), and softcover dust jackets.
These are constructed in the same way as printed softcovers, but feature a luxurious cover stock available in an array of colors and finishes. Full-color printing can be done on lighter shades, and black-ink only printing works best with medium to dark shades.
Classic softcovers are not laminated, so we do not recommend full-bleed designs, as the edges and creases of the print will chip and wear with regular use.
Many of the custom finishing options for printed softcovers are also available for classic softcovers.
Covers on saddle stitch booklets are folded and bound to book contents with wire (staples) or thread. There is no spine on this type of book. Depending on your design, booklet covers can use our standard softcover stock or one of the classic softcover stocks.
Full-bleed, full-color designs should use our standard cover stock and a laminate to protect the print.
Simpler designs that don't extend to the edge of the cover have the option of using a classic softcover stock. Foil stamping is an option for any saddle stitch booklet cover.
Cost for a softcover
There are a number of factors that affect the price of softcover books, including trim size, page count, number of color pages, order quantity, and custom finishing options.
Use our price calculator to generate a quote for your book. If you want to see prices for different features or details, you can change those in the calculator and compare the price results.
Am I able to print on a softcover?
Our printed softcover books can accommodate full-color, full-bleed cover designs, including optional printing on the inside cover. We also offer classic softcover books featuring a variety of colored and/or textured cover stocks.
This style of book is better suited to cover designs that don't cross the spine area or extend to the edge. Full-color printing is possible on light-colored covers stocks, while black-ink only printing is recommended for darker stocks.
Softcover size limitations
Printed softcover and classic softcover books can have any trim size between 4"W x 4"H to 12"W x 12"H, in 0.25" increments.
Saddle stitch booklets can have any trim size between 4"W x 4"H to 9"W x 12"H, in 0.25" increments