Hardcover vs Paperback
Hardcover vs paperback for your book? Every author runs into this decision eventually for their final presentation and the choice comes down to cost, durability, and your audience.
Here’s how to figure out which one is right for your book.
Hardcover Books Vs Paperback Books
Hardcover Books
Hardcover books are bound with a rigid cover, usually made of thick cardboard and can be wrapped in a dust jacket. The cover provides a high level of durability. They cost more to produce and are standard for gifts and library copies to survive a lot of handling.
Hardcover books are classic and often associated with quality and tradition in the publishing world.
Paperback Books
Paperback books (also known as softcover books), are bound with glue and have a flexible paper cover. They cost less to produce and are light, making them the most common book for everyday reading. Paperback is the go-to choice for fiction books where price matters more for the reader.
Paperback books look just like your favorite novel.
PrintingCenterUSA prints both hardcover and paperback books, so the choice comes down to what your book needs.
According to the Association of American Publishers, hardcover and paperback books are running almost toe to toe in total book sales. In 2025, hardcover book revenue was $8.2 billion, and paperback was $8.0 billion. Hardcover books have a higher total revenue total because of the price per copy; However, paperback books are still the book most readers use day-to-day.
What are the Pros and Cons of Hardcover Vs Paperback?
Hardcover
Pros:
- Durability is high. Making it possible to be read and passed around without falling apart.
- Premium Look.
- First to market. New releases from authors in bookstores usually debut in hardcover
- Preferred by libraries and collectors
Cons:
- More expensive to produce and buy
- Heavier, not ideal to travel with
Paperback
Pros:
- Cheaper to produce and to buy
- Light enough to carry around with and distribute
- Wider retail availability
Cons:
- Wears out faster with creased spines and bent corners
- Can be seen as the less premium option
Trade Paperback vs Mass Market Paperback
Trade paperbacks and mass market paperbacks are the most common paperback formats. Mass market paperbacks are small pocket-sized books, usually 4.25 by 7 inches. These are ones that you’ll find on a rack at a store checkout or at an airport. They’re typically printed cheap because the goal is volume over everything. Trade paperbacks are bigger, usually around 5.5 by 8.5 inches, with wider margins.
Trade paperbacks are typically priced higher at about $15-17 a book on better paper. Mass paperback books are around $6-10 with cheaper materials to help keep the price down. That price gap is usually why mass market books wear out a bit faster than trade paperbacks.
Trade paperbacks get their name from the “trade edition,” which was the same term originally used for hardcover sold throughout bookstores. When publishers started printing softcover versions in that same bookstore quality size, the name carried over.
Is mass market paperback worth it? Yes for cheap on the go printing, but it’s been declining over the years and is expected to keep shrinking. They’re becoming harder to find and are competing with e-books because they have the same pros of low cost and portability. Right now, you’ll really find them within the romance genre.
So, what’s better, trade paperback or paperback? Trade is always going to win on quality. Mass market is going to get you on price and portability. However, with the right printer, you can win all pros. PrintingCenterUSA prints trade paperback books with the standard novel size.
What is the Cost of a Paperback Book?
For a 100-page, 6 x 9 paperback book, Cover ink: 4/4, Inside ink: 1/1, 100#cardstock gloss, 80# paper matte, cover finish: gloss laminate, printing cost per copy through PrintingCenterUSA runs:
25 copies $358.47 total cost, $14.34 per book
100 Copies $1,157.55 total cost, $11.58 per book
500 Copies $2,443.23 total cost, $4.89 per book
The more copies you print, the lower the price per copy. Use PrintingCenterUSA’s instant quoting tool to play around with pricing with your exact specs.
What is the Cost of a Hardcover Book?
For a 100-page, 6 x 9 hardcover book, Cover ink: 4/0, Inside ink: grayscale, 80# paper matte, cover finish: matte lamination, printing cost per copy through PrintingCenterUSA runs:
25 copies $338.18 total cost, $13.53 per book
100 Copies $1,144.69 total cost, $11.45 per book
500 Copies $5,445.98 total cost, $10.89 per book
Use PrintingCenterUSA’s instant quoting tool to play around with pricing with your exact specs.
Paperback vs Hardcover Cost Comparison
Through PrintingCenterUSA, 500 copies of the same 100-page, 6×9 book, paperback runs $2,443.23 which is $4.89 per copy, and hardcover runs $5,445.98 which is $10.89 per copy.
Hardcover is double per copy.
The paperback printing pricing gets cheaper the more you print. Hardcover barely moves, since the cover materials and labor stay at a fixed cost no matter how many copies you order.
Why is Hardcover More Expensive?
The price difference between hardcover and paperback editions of the same title and specs comes down to labor, materials, quality, and the perceived value around hardcover.
Hardcover binding requires additional materials like a rigid cardboard cover and sometimes with a dust jacket. Paperback only requires paper and glue. The binding process is more labor-intensive, and those production costs don’t decrease as much at higher quantities as they do with paperback printing. The price per copy stays higher even as the quantity increases.
However, with the sturdier cover, it reads as higher quality, and that perceived value is also part of what you’re paying for.
Is Paperback or Hardcover Better?
When it comes to hardcover vs paperback neither is better across the board. They both have their different pros and cons. It comes down to what the book needs to accomplish.
If you’re self-publishing a novel and trying to reach as many readers as possible but you’re on a budget, paperback is the clear winner. It has lower costs per copy and faster turnaround times. You can price it to align with what readers expect to pay for from a new author and still have a profit margin.
If you’re printing something meant to be kept, like a coffee table book or family history book, hardcover is going to earn the extra cost. Anything that needs to be printed specifically for a gift, hardcover is the way to go. Hardcover has that perceived value of being higher quality because of the thick rigid board and because they’re typically branded as collector editions, signed editions, etc.
At the end of the day, hardcover is going to take longer to produce because the binding process has more steps. If you’re working on a tight launch date, this is not the binding to go for unless you have multiple months in advance to get it right. Hardcover is also going to be heavier, which is going to add to shipping costs if you’re mailing copies out. Some authors choose to print both a paperback for general sales and then a small hardcover batch for special editions.
Helpful Resources for Printing
Not sure how to get your file print-ready? Use our free online design tool, download a free Adobe template, submit your file for a free file review, or connect with a professional through our Find a Designer service. However you like to work, we have an option that fits. Explore printing options at PrintingCenterUSA!
FAQ: Hardcover vs Paperback
What is a paperback book?
A paperback book has a flexible cover, usually thick paper or card stock, with pages held together by glue instead of stitching.
What’s the difference between hardcover and paperback?
Hardcover uses a rigid board cover, usually wrapped in cloth, paper, or a dust jacket. Paperback uses a soft, flexible cover. Hardcover costs more and lasts longer. Paperback is lighter, cheaper, and easier to carry.
Are hardcovers cheaper than paperback?
No. Hardcovers cost more because of the materials and the more labor-intensive binding process.
Which format is best for a gift or keepsake?
Hardcover. The durability and premium feel are what make something feel like a real gift instead of just a book.
Which format is best for self-publishing or wide distribution?
Paperback, for most authors. Lower cost per copy and faster production time make it the practical choice for a new or independent author.
What are the production times for paperback vs hardcover?
Paperback is faster since it uses a simpler binding process. Hardcover takes longer because of the extra steps involved in the rigid cover, the dust jacket if you’re adding one, and the more labor-intensive binding.
Can I print both paperback and hardcover versions of my book?
Yes. Most printers, including PrintingCenterUSA, can produce your book in both formats, so readers get a choice or you reserve hardcover for something special.
Why do people prefer hardcover over paperback?
It usually comes down to durability and presentation over cost. A hardcover holds up to repeated reading, looks better on a shelf, and feels more like a gift. Hardcover is also having a real moment right now, sprayed edges and special editions have pushed collector culture into the mainstream, and more indie authors are offering hardback than ever before.
Why do people prefer paperback over hardcover?
Cost and convenience. It’s cheaper to buy, lighter to carry, and easier to read one-handed or toss in a bag. For most everyday reading, that tradeoff wins out over hardcover’s durability.
Do libraries prefer paperback or hardcover?
Libraries generally prefer hardcover. It holds up to hundreds of checkouts and handling without falling apart, which paperback isn’t built for.
Is it worth it to buy hardcover books?
Depends on what the book is for. Something meant to be kept or passed down earns the extra cost. Something you’ll read once doesn’t need it.
How many pages can a hardcover or paperback book have?
Both formats support a wide page range, but the right count depends on your binding.
Do hardcover or paperback books lay flat when open?
Not fully. Hardcover uses case binding and paperback uses perfect binding, and both open to a natural reading angle rather than a full 180 degrees.
Can a printed book be mailed?
Yes. Hardcover just runs heavier and costs more to ship because of the weight.
Which format is better for international or long-distance shipping?
Paperback ships cheaper since it’s lighter. Hardcover costs more to ship but holds up better if the package gets knocked around in transit.
What is lamination, and do I need it on my cover?
Lamination is a thin protective layer applied over the printed cover, gloss or matte, that protects it from scuffs and adds a finished look. It’s not required, but most paperback and hardcover covers use it.
Ready to Start Printing?
Whether you are doing a paperback or hardcover book, PrintingCenterUSA has the tools to help you get started without the guesswork. Download one of our free Adobe templates, sized and set up for print so your file is ready to go from the first click. Prefer to work online? Our free online design tool lets you build your layout directly in the browser, no software required. And if you would rather hand the project off entirely, our Find a Designer service connects you with a professional who can bring your vision to life. However you like to work, we have an option that fits.
Hear from customers who have worked with us:
Great Company to work with for self-publishing! This was my first foray into self publishing a book. after doing some research, I selected Printing Center USA because of the great reviews I read about them and their very reasonable pricing. The services they offered fit my needs perfectly. The process was easy, and a representative from the company helped guide me through that process from beginning to end. I would definitely use this company again for my printing needs, and would highly recommend them to others. -Alan S.
Beautiful book, easy site, excellent customer service Printingcenterusa was such a wonderful business to work with! Their site was not only incredibly user friendly, but they provided excellent customer support throughout the process as well. They called and went over the details and were so friendly and encouraging of me asking questions. The product itself turned out GORGEOUS!! the book is so beautiful, i would absolutely go to Printincenterusa for any other project. They did an amazing job. – Denise S.
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