Books are a great way to give another format option to your customers! Once you lay out your book and order a proof, you will be able to sit back and not worry about storing books in a warehouse or in your own garage to ship out. We do all of the work for you once your book is approved and the proof is received.
Check out our Print Cost Calculator to determine the cost of your book. Shipping costs are additional and can be found in our Estimated Shipping Costs article.
Binding Types
- Hardcover - Case Laminate
- Softcover - Perfect Bound
Color Types
- Black and White – Printed with an inkjet printer on 70 lb/104 gsm white paper
- Standard Color – Printed with an inkjet printer on 70 lb/104 gsm white paper
- Premium Color – Highest color quality with more vivid color. Printed with an inkjet printer on 70 lb/104 gsm white paper
What is the difference between Standard and Premium Color?
The primary difference between Standard and Premium Color books is the process with which the ink is printed.
- Standard Color – Printed with an inkjet printer on 70 lb/104 gsm white paper
- Premium Color – Highest color quality with more vivid color. Printed with an inkjet printer on 70 lb/104 gsm white paper
What color type should I pick for my book?
- If your title has just text and very basic artwork, we recommend black and white. This is the lowest-cost option.
- If your title has some artwork that looks best in color, but is text heavy, we recommend standard color.
- If your title has a lot of artwork in it, we recommend premium color.
Here’s a visual comparison of Standard Color (left) and Premium Color (right):
Book Sizes
Black & White- and Standard Color-Interior
| Size | Small Softcover | Small Hardcover | Large Softcover | Large Hardcover |
| 5" x 8" |
✓ |
✓ | ||
| 5.06" x 7.81" |
✓ |
|||
| 5.5" x 8.5" |
✓ |
✓ | ||
| 5.83" x8.27" |
✓ |
✓ | ||
| 6" x 9" |
✓ |
✓ | ||
| 6.14" x 9.21" |
✓ |
✓ | ||
| 6.625" x 10.25" | ✓ | |||
| 6.69" x 9.61" | ✓ | |||
| 7" x 10" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 7.44" x 9.69" | ✓ | |||
| 7.5" x 9.25" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 8" x 8" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 8" x 10" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 8.25" x 10.75" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 8.25" x 11" | ✓ | |||
| 8.268" x 11.693" (A4) | ✓ | |||
| 8.5" x 8.5" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 8.5" x 11" | ✓ | ✓ |
Premium Color
| Size | Small Softcover | Small Hardcover | Large Softcover | Large Hardcover |
| 5" x 8" | ||||
| 5.06" x 7.81" | ||||
| 5.5" x 8.5" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 5.83" x8.27" | ||||
| 6" x 9" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 6.14" x 9.21" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 6.625" x 10.25" | ✓ | |||
| 6.69" x 9.61" | ✓ | |||
| 7" x 10" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 7.44" x 9.69" | ||||
| 7.5" x 9.25" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 8" x 8" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 8" x 10" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 8.25" x 10.75" | ✓ | |||
| 8.25" x 11" | ||||
| 8.268" x 11.693" (A4) | ||||
| 8.5" x 8.5" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 8.5" x 11" | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 11" x 8.5" (landscape) | ✓ | ✓ |
Additional Details
- Bulk order discounts are applied per line item of the order and are applied automatically on the Cart page when ordering your own titles.
- Premium color titles do not qualify for bulk order discounts.
- You can offer as many formats as you’d like but not the same format twice in a listing.
- Ex: Your title can be in standard color hardcover, standard color softcover, and black and white hardcover.
- Your title cannot have two different standard color hardcover options in the same title listing. If you want to offer the same format but with different files, we recommend doing two different title listings.
- All books have full-color glossy covers, regardless of the paper type.
- While Lightning Source may have a certain book type available on their website, our contract does not have all of their formats.
- We do not currently offer:
- Inside cover printing
- Foil printing
- Staple or saddle stitch binding
- Every file update requires a new proof order.
- Books are best laid out in Adobe InDesign and Affinity. We have support for both layout programs. If you use any other programs, we cannot guarantee it will meet Lightning Source’s specifications nor can we promise assistance in making your files print-ready.