Hardcover book printing, also known as hardback, hardcase, or hardbound is the most professional type of book binding. Hardcover book printing is fast, easy, and affordable and provide a durable, high quality professional look that can’t be matched. They offer an attractive printable spine. Saddle stitch, wire-o, and spiral binding cannot offer this. A hardcover book is the ideal choice for publications with higher page counts (40 pages up to 1050 pages thick), such as nonfiction books, photo albums, journals, fiction books, and more.
Hardcover Book Binding
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File Specifications
Our Most Popular Paper Options are
Uncoated paper is a smooth sheet that is available in 60#, 70#, or 80#. This paper is offered in bright white or in cream offset.
Gloss paper has a shiny and lustrous smooth coated gloss finish. Excellent for making full color printing appear more vibrant.
Silk paper is a coated paper with a silk finish and slight sheet. It’s often called "Matte" or "Satin" and can be described as "Low Gloss". It's great for text and pictures, making colors pop as well as text extremely readable.
Cover Coating:
Diamond 3D Covers come in raised metallic foil, a clear raised coating, or 3D textures. This is not just a 3D effect, it’s actual 3D printing that you can see and feel.
Standard Cover is printed on 100# Gloss Text then laminated with your choice of Silk Laminate or Hi-Gloss Laminate.
Leatherette is an acrylic-coated paper with a pronounced leather embossed finish. This cover is available in several rich, dark colors. It cannot be printed on, but it can be foil stamped.
Pearl Linen (Cloth) is a beautiful cover material with a linen weave. These are available in several bright, vibrant colors. They can be foil stamped, but cannot be printed on.
Leather is a top-of-the-line cover option which is made of 100% cowhide leather fibers. It can be foil stamped, but cannot be printed on.
Need Design Help?
Hardcover Book Resources:
Crafting a Perfect Bound Book Perfect Binding How Much Does it Cost to Print a Book? Book Layout: 9 Easy Steps
Most Popular Hardcover Book Types
Hardcover book printing can be used for a variety of purposes, such as self-publishing your own hardcover photo book, nonfiction book, fiction books, sketchbooks, and so much more. Hardcover Books are particularly useful for printing thick, higher page count books that cannot be saddle-stitched. PrintingCenterUSA produces high-quality hardcover books with an expert, professional appearance.
Fiction Books
Make a statement with your hardcover fiction books. Your beautiful hardcover book will be a stunning addition to your customers collection!
Hardcover Sketchbook
Hardcover Sketchbook Draw, sketch, write, or doodle in style with a custom hardcover sketchbook. Submit a design with your custom cover and blank inside pages.
Hardcover Classic Books
Immortalize your classic books with a hardcover. Our hardcover books are durable, professional, and classy.
Hardcover Journal
Create a memorable cover and print some blank or lined paper on the inside of your book to make a beautiful and custom journal.
Hardcover Manga
Make your Manga stand out with a beautiful case bound cover. Not only that, but it will make your manga more durable.
Nonfiction Books
Print your book to look as professional as possible with our hardcover book binding services.
Personalized Photo Albums
Beautiful photo albums will be made better with a compelling a high-quality case bound cover.
Hardcover Books Ideas & Examples
Let PrintingCenterUSA take your hardcover book project from concept to finished product! We have worked with and helped a number of businesses, schools, authors, self-publishers, and photographers design, mail, and print their hardcover books. Below are ideas, case studies, and examples from real customers to help you get the most out of your next hardcover book printing project!
![Types of Binding [INFOGRAPHIC]](http://res.cloudinary.com/printingcenterusa-com/image/upload/f_auto,fl_immutable_cache/v1632642745/pcusa/product/Hardcover%20Book/IdeasExamples/Types-of-Binding-_Infographic.png)
Page Count
We require that any multi-page PDF files be sent as single page images, not spreads. In the files, page 1 should be the front cover and the last page should be the back cover (see left). Learn More
We require that any multi-page PDF files be sent as single page images, not spreads. In the files, page 1 should be the front cover and the last page should be the back cover (see left). Learn More
Color
Save your PDF in CMYK. Learn More
Resolution
PrintingCenterUSA recommends that the resolution of your images and document be 300 dpi or more. Learn More
Bleeds
Bleed is an extra 1/8” of image that extends beyond the trim area of your printed piece. The project is printed on an oversized sheet that is cut down to size with the appearance that the image is “bleeding” off the edge of the paper. Learn More
What is the Difference Between Hardcover and Paperback?
Hardcover books are made of heavy paperboard covered with cloth, heavy paper, or leather whereas paperback books are made of thick paper or cardstock. Because of the materials that hardcover books are made out of, they are heavier than paperback books. Hardcover books also have a flexible, sewn spine. Paperback books are bound together with glue and have a square spine. Hardcover books are usually more expensive than paperback books.
How to Make Your Own Book?
To make a book, try our free online design tool or our downloadable templates to layout your pictures and content, then order and upload your print-ready PDF file. Click here to learn more about designing your book.
What is the Minimum Page Count for a Hardcover Book?
The minimum number of pages is 28 pages. The maximum width of a hardcover book is 2" thick. When ordering your product, you need to have pages in 2-page increments. Click here to learn more about page count for books.
Can I Print on the Spine?
Yes! You can print on the spine of hardcover books! The spine width depends on the number of pages and the type of paper selected when ordering.
How Hard is it to Publish a Book?
Printing a hardcover book with PrintingCenterUSA is fast, easy, and affordable! All you have to do is use our FREE online design tool or upload your print-ready PDF file. Click here to see our print-ready file checklist.
Saddle stitch binding is the most inexpensive and simple to make, yet professional form of binding, which allows us to save you money. They also offer the fastest turn-around time. Saddle stitched is the most popular and ideal choice for self-cover booklets and calendars with smaller page counts between 8 and 92 pages. 
Perfect bound binding is the most popular type of soft cover binding. Perfect bound books are inexpensive to make and provide a durable, high quality attractive look that can’t be matched. Perfect binding is the ideal choice for publications with higher page counts (28 pages up to 2 inches thick), giving them a professional looking printable square spine. A paperback book or a phone book is a familiar example. 
Hard Cover books are case bound with your choice of covers. Our basic cover is printed in full-color, laminated and glued to a heavy, warp-resistant book board.
Spiral binding uses a durable plastic coil which makes it an ideal option for every-day use as reference material. Spiral Bound Book Printing offers different coil sizes and diameters to accommodate a higher page count up to 2 3/4" thick. There is a fast turn-around time for very short spiral bound book production quantities. Manuals, Handbooks, and Guides are good examples of products well-suited for spiral binding. Available only in black coil. 
Wire-O binding is similar to Spiral binding. Wire-O binding uses a professional-looking looped metal wire which makes it an ideal option when the product is for a more formal setting, such as a presentation. Wire-O binding can accommodate a higher page count up to 1 ¼" thick. They may cost a little more. Available only in black standard wire. 
