How to Print Your Own Children’s Book in 2024

Publishing your own children’s book is an exciting way to bring your imaginative stories and colorful illustrations to life. And with modern printing technology, high-quality children’s book printing is more accessible than ever. This step-by-step guide outlines everything you need to professionally print children’s books at home or with a printing service.

Why Print Your Children’s Book?

As an aspiring author or illustrator, you may dream of seeing your book in print. And holding the final bound copy of your cherished story conveys magic beyond words.

Print books also create keepsakes to pass down through generations. Not to mention many parents, schools, libraries, and children still favor print books over digital when curling up for story time.

But navigating the actual printing process poses challenges for beginners:

• What printing methods produce quality kids books?
• How much does printing a children’s book cost?
• Where exactly do you print children’s books?

This comprehensive guide tackles all aspects of professional book printing to turn your handmade prototype or manuscript into published masterpieces for young readers.

How Much Does It Cost To Print A Children’s Book?

The final cost to print a full-color children’s picture book depends on:

• Page count – More pages require additional materials and printing labor.
• Print quantity – Bulk printing reduces the per-unit expense across more copies.
• Binding style – Case binding is more expensive than simple saddle stitch.
• Paper choices – Heavyweight papers and special finishes add premiums.
• Ink colors – Full-color artwork costs more than black and white interiors with color covers.
• Printing method – Digital printing is typically cheaper than offset lithography up to about 1,000 copies.

As an example, a 32-page full-color children’s picture book printed via digital production would cost:

• 100 books – $1,500+, averaging $15 per book
• 250 books – $3,000+, averaging $12 per book
• 500+ books – Under $8 per book

These ballpark quotes account for common options like case binding, premium paper stocks, and full-process color interiors. Costs drop further printing 1,000+ quantities using traditional offset litho printing.

Now let’s explore your printing options…

Print a Children’s Book

Picture Source: How to print a children’s book

Using A Book Printing Company

Traditional printing companies offer convenience combined with professional quality. Simply submit print-ready files and choose materials that suit your project.

Experienced staff handles book printing and binding in-house before shipping completed orders direct to you or book recipients. This hassle-free experience comes at a premium cost though based on lower print runs.

Typical minimum print quantities at printing companies:

• Black and white books – 50+ copies
• Full-color books – 250+ copies

With minimums in the hundreds, commercial printers facilitate larger distribution but remain cost-prohibitive for personal projects. However, some services specializing in children’s book printing cater to first-time indie authors with lower order thresholds and plenty of customization guidance.

Benefits Of Using A Printing Company

• No upfront investment in printing equipment
• Consistent professional print quality
• Multiple binding options like casewrap hardcovers, concealed wire-O, and perfect binding
• Design assistance and pre-press proofing
• Handling of printing, binding, storage, and distribution
• Integration with sales platforms like Amazon and IngramSpark

Downsides To Using Printing Companies

• High minimum order quantities for offset printing
• Significant upfront costs for large print runs
• Fixed wholesale rates offer low profit margins on small orders
• Many companies only work with trade publishers

So unless you plan to sell hundreds of copies through wide distribution channels right out the gate, a professional printer involves notable financial risk and strict business formalities around ISBNs, distribution agreements, etc.

Using A Self-Publishing Printing Service

Self-publishing book printers blend printing services with expanded author support. This makes quality book production achievable for independent authors.

Instead of focusing solely on trade orders in the thousands, self-publishing printers welcome print quantities like:

• 25 books
• 50 books
• 250 books
• 500 books

While their per-item rates exceed commercial offset lithography for mass replication, self-publishing printers offer more flexibility for first-time indie authors through:

• Affordable startup costs – Low minimum quantities keep initial investments reasonable.
• Author education – Consultations explain the process with new authors rather than expecting publishing expertise.
• Title setup assistance – Staff helps new authors navigate technical considerations like copyright pages, vendor wholesale registration, etc.
• Ongoing partnership – Start small and reorder additional volumes once sales pickup rather than massive upfront print commitments.

This approachable experience helps new children’s book authors publish professionally. Once you handle initial sales yourself, expanded distribution through Amazon and wider channels remains possible after establishing market demand.

Top self-publishing book printers include:

• KDP Print
• IngramSpark
• B&N Press
• Lulu

So leverage a supportive self-publishing printer for your first professionally printed children’s book run. Then grow through larger distribution arrangements once reader appetite is proven for your story.

Print On Demand (POD) Services

Print-on-demand (POD) publishing represents a pay-as-you-go printing method for ultra-low risk print runs.

Rather than you paying for hundreds of books up front before potential sales, POD printers create single copy orders one-by-one only when a retail order comes through. This saves massive upfront investments while establishing reader demand before committing to larger offsets print batches.

Here’s how POD children’s book printing works:

• You upload print-ready interior files and cover art to the POD company’s site
• Set your desired retail list price
• POD printer handles printing, binding, and shipping individual copies sold online
• You earn author royalties on each copy sold, with the remainder going to the printer

Leading pay-on-demand services include:

• Amazon KDP Print
• Barnes and Noble Press
• IngramSpark

POD remains cost-effective for test marketing one’s book before sizable print runs using litho printers. It also facilitates easy upload adjustments and reorders without wasted inventory concerns.

Just know that POD per-item printing costs typically exceed $8 per book. So profit margins are tighter unless pricing your children’s book above mass market standards. This flexibility makes print-on-demand ideal for starting out before transitioning to cheaper long-run offset printing options down the road.

Using A Home Printer

Printing children’s books at home puts you fully in control of creating small batches based on your equipment’s capabilities.

While lacking the capacity for hundred-plus book print runs, home printing shines for personal mementoes or testing sales on a small scale before expanding distribution.

Here’s a realistic overview of current home printing options:

• Inkjet printers – Affordable purchase price but costly ink refills. Vibrant color replication on glossy photo paper but text clarity varies greatly across budget brands. Higher-end models support booklet printing with automatic page arrangement for binding.
• Laser printers – Sharper fine detail suitable for black text against white pages. Color lasers remain extremely expensive for most buyers. Few models print custom booklet page sequencing without manual intervention.
• All-in-one printers – Provide scanning and copying flexibility to integrate hand-drawn art digitally during book layouts. Ink costs a consideration with color fidelity often lacking compared to standalone photo printers.
• DIY binding supplies – Specialty punches, quality glues, thread stitching kits, and trim cutters create professional bound edges without paying pros. Practice essential for polished outcomes.

For quick home children’s book printing, an all-in-one color inkjet printer combined with DIY binding materials works reasonably well outputting short print runs under 50 copies.

Just know that home printing does involve some tradeoffs:

• Generally lack hardcover casewrap binding options
• Paperback bindings beyond staples require experience
• Ink and paper expenses add up fast
• Print shop production speeds remain impractical at home
• Illustration adjustments require full reprints

Within realistic expectations, home printing empowers creating custom one-off coloring books, story mementoes, or testing ideas before publishing services.

How To Print A Custom Children’s Book

Whether leveraging book printers or home setups, the process for printing children’s books involves three main stages:

1. Layout And Illustration

Combine text content with artwork in page layout software like Adobe InDesign based on final trim size.

Or access simplified web-based book templates from providers like Blurb and Format to bypass desktop publishing learning curves.

Take great care ensuring properly sized margins on all sides to avoid content cutting off during professional trim procedures or DIY straight edge slicing.

Other key layout considerations include:

• Ordering story sections strategically
• Balancing text and visual breathing room
• Aligning content and design for age groups
• Maintaining style consistency throughout

With final layouts complete, next step is exporting fixed press-ready PDFs to submit for printing.

2. Printing

Now it’s time to actually print your layouts based on project scope and budget.

For professional offset litho printing, simply upload PDF files during vendorquoting stages. Then approve final proofs before hundreds of flawless copies output automatically.

At self-publishing printers, you follow simplified web submission procedures. Here PDFs go straight to digital production equipment after approving on-screen previews.

For home printing, physically load paper stocks into your printer’s tray before sending pages from PDF files or desktop publishing software directly to the inkjet or laser device.

No matter which method, it’s helpful having extras handy with children’s books in case unexpected handling wear arises during use after binding.

3. Binding And Finishing Touches

Apply sturdy construction and embellishments to complete your picture book or storytelling work of art.

When printing professionally, opt for library-grade casewrap hardcovers, full-cloth wraps, or at least thick high-grade paperback glued spines.

These not only survive the toddler test, but upgrade perceived value thanks to quality materials from cover to cover.

For DIY home binding, removable adhesive perfect binding spines attach printed page stacks with cloth or cardstock fronts and backsides. Or utilize metal rings, thread stitching, spooled glues, or good old-fashioned staples when aiming more basic.

Just steer clear of flimsy reports covers prone to ripping – go thick or go home for the best homemade outcome.

Beyond superior binding and thicker paper stocks, personalized touches elevate children’s printed books as well. Consider:

• Spot UV, matte, or gloss coatings – Provides exceptional vibrancy while safeguarding underlying ink
• Foil stamping – Metallic gold, rose gold, silver, or custom color foil overlays make titles shine
• Spot varnish – Isolates certain imagery or cover areas for subtle designer flair
• Debossing and embossing – Adds dimensional texture children delight discovering through touch
• Die cuts – Custom page shapes captivate tiny hands while sharpening motor skills
• Pull-out prints – Surprise unfolding artwork, maps, pop-ups, and more inside

Add lavish end-sheets, satin bookmark ribbons, and shrink wrap finally completes a premium printed book to cherish.

While embellishments add cost, they impart heirloom quality destined to be loved across many bedtimes tucked in with treasured tales.

Where To Print Children’s Books

We just covered the complete printing process overview. Now here is the exact information on where and how to print children’s books based on project scope.

Major Book Printing Companies

For bulk children’s book orders or specialty finishing needs, professional printers have you covered. Top North American vendors include:

1. McNaughton & Gunn – High-end children’s book printing exceeding 250+ copies. Offers specialty treatments like die cuts, holographic effects, glow-in-the-dark, and more. Top choice for advanced printing methods.
2. Bang Printing – Leading print provider for publishers of children’s books and educational materials. Ideal for ongoing long print runs.
3. Sheridan Books – Known for incredibly fast turnaround times hitting just days for reorders. Large-scale digital and offset litho printing.
4. Book1One – Boutique-style service for discerning indie publishers and self-published authors. Superb quality and staff attention to detail.

These printing industry leaders allow selecting from countless papers, inks, finishes and binding types for professional elegance. Submit printing-ready files directly online for quotes. Just anticipate lead times stretching 4+ weeks on first runs accounting for proofing and production.

Self-Publishing Printers

For beginner authors seeking shorter print runs from just 10 books upward, friendly self-publishing printers simplify the path to first editions.

Here the top children’s book self-publishing printers in 2024:

1. Kidoodle Books – Specialists in children’s book printing. Packed with options optimizing early reading enjoyment through wipe-clean pages, colorful spots, interactive elements, lay-flat binding and more.
2. CreateSpace – Amazon’s former self-publishing division. Still active fulfilling older Amazon/CreateSpace commitments.
3. IngramSpark – Industry-leading provider merging global distribution with quality book printing services.
4. Barnes and Noble Press – Book manufacturing arm for the major bookseller Barnes and Noble. Expands sales reach.
5. Lulu – Highly rated printing service for first-time authors seeking editing guidance.

While pricier than massive offset litho orders, self-publishing printers offer flexibility working in small quantities between 25 to 1,000 books. This helps indie creators establish audience demand before risking thousands in printing costs.

Submit manuscript files directly to companies online for printing quotes based on order volume and finishing options. Turnaround often completes in just 1-2 weeks – 3X faster than old-school big printers!

Local And Commercial Copy Shops

For ultra-low volume children’s book orders under 25 copies, regional printing shops often outperform large book printers on price thanks to lower overhead. Think:

• Local copy and print franchises – National chains like FedEx Office, Staples, Office Depot
• College campus copy centers – In-house academic course material reproduction hubs
• Public library duplicating centers – Government-supported community booklet makers

These copy shops output short staple-bound runs or coil-fastened books via on-demand digital equipment. Having locations distributed everywhere provides convenient neighborhood service printing just what you need in town.

Simply supply paperback ready PDF files in person for affordable instant book copying. Just expect basic softcover thermally glued spines and cardstock covers rather than durable hardcovers with this convenient budget choice. But for quick prototypes under $10 each, nearby copy shops deliver locally.

Optimize Children’s Books For Print

Formatting a children’s book correctly ensures flawless printing results. Otherwise, awkward pagination or elements cut off near binding areas significantly undermine printed storybooks.

Here are key formatting tips for preparing children’s books for professional printers or home output:

• Export book files as high-quality print-ready PDFs
• Define 0.75-1 inch page margins across all edges
• Place important text/images at least 0.25 inches inside margins as a safety buffer from trimming
• Use mirror page margins so facing layouts align precisely
• Embed or provide separate high-resolution image links
• Format body text minimum 12pt font (ideally 14pt for early readers)
• Apply bleeds extending artwork 0.125 inches past edges on cover files
• Outline stylized display fonts to prevent printing mishaps
• Close software and browser apps during PDF export for max quality

With properly arranged files, your picture book prints flawlessly for young admirers to treasure while kindling imaginative sparks through story and color.

Getting Started With Children’s Book Printing

We just covered everything involved with professionally printing children’s books tailored to your personal visions or cherished tales.

Overall, crisp full-color printing and premium construction materials make all the difference between standard photocopies and impressive kids books.

Thankfully, achieving this high standard is more accessible than ever regardless of print scale needs today.

For large runs, children’s specialty printers and major book manufacturing companies stand ready to reproduce stories powerfully. Leading self-publishing houses now also extend warm welcomes to first-time indie creators through guiding each milestone.

And when keeping projects intimate close to home, convenient copy shops help prototype or supply locally on demand. Empowering options now exist to create hardcover grade keepsakes sure to make parents and young readers smile ear-to-ear diving in together.

Maybe inspiration begins simply preserving laugh-out-loud humor only a grandfather could envision. Perhaps timeless wisdom passed down sparks renewed connection when visualized creatively.

Whatever the origins, hold resulting elegantly printed children’s books proudly while confidently navigating a happy path from first blank pages to covers bringing meaningful narratives alive brilliantly.

Thanks for reading! For all your printing needs, trust GoBookPrinting to bring your stories to life. Happy creating!