Perfect bound book printing is the most popular type of soft cover binding. Perfect bound books offer a durable, high quality professional look at an affordable price that can't be matched. It is the ideal binding choice for publications with higher page counts (28 pages up to 2 inches thick) such as catalogs, magazines, books, manuals, and more.
We accept your print-ready PDF files. Get an instant proof & free file check now! We offer our easy-to-use photobook maker, design tool and templates to make your own book. Satisfaction guarantee!

Perfect binding booklet printing is single sheets (text weight) paper printed on both sides and collated in page number order, one on top of the other, and gathered into a book block. The spine edge is ground off. The softcover (a thicker cardstock) is placed over and around the book block (interior pages) and attached by the application of a strong yet flexible PUR glue along the binding edge, creating a professional looking square spine that can be printed on.
Our Most Popular Paper Options are

Coating Options
Gloss paper has a shiny and lustrous smooth coated gloss finish. Excellent for making full color printing appear more vibrant.
Matte paper is a dull coated sheet that exhibits low gloss finish. Paper has minimal glare, making it easier to read text.
Uncoated paper is easy to write on and should be used in projects such as a workbook or coloring book.
Softcover
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Perfect Bound Book Resources:
Crafting a Perfect Bound BookPerfect BindingHow Much Does it Cost to Print a Book?Book Layout: 9 Easy StepsPerfect Bound book printing may be used for a variety of purposes, such as self-publishing your own Art Book, Manual Book, Coffee Table Book, Guide Book, and so much more. Soft Cover Books are particularly useful for printing thick, higher page count books that cannot be saddle-stitched. PrintingCenterUSA produces high-quality perfect bound books with an expert, paperback appearance.

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

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
What is the Minimum Page Count for Perfect Binding?
The minimum number of pages is 28 pages to 2" thick maximum. 2 page increments are required when ordering. Click here to learn more about page count for perfect binding.
What is perfect binding?
Perfect binding is when printed sheets are collated in page order, trimmed down to final size, and then finished by wrapping a cardstock cover around the pages, creating a square spine.
What is the difference between perfect bound and saddle stitch?
Printed sheets are gathered into a book, one on top of the other and the edges are ground off and the book is glued into a wrap around cover and then trimmed to size. This type of perfect bind creates a square spine. They provide an attractive looking durable book. They do not lay flat. Perfect bound book printing is great for directories, magazines, manuals, year books or any type of booklet that has many pages.
Perfect bound can have anywhere from 28 pages up to 2” thick. If it’s thick enough, you can design on the spine. A square spine gives it a very professional, high-quality look and feel. Saddle stitch can have as few as 8 pages and a maximum of 92. Saddle stitch is the most affordable and cost-effective option and it will lay flat and stay open when flipping through the pages. It does not have a printable spine.
Choose Options & See Pricing
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Sign UpHow Much Does it Cost to Get a Perfect Bound Book Printed?
You can get 100 copies of an 8.5” x 11” 36 page Softcover Perfect Bound Book on 80# Gloss Cover and 100# Gloss Text, Full Color, (4/4) printed and delivered to your doorstep in 4-11 business days with our Wait & Save Production Time option for only $733.74 ($7.34 each) or 500 copies for only $2,147.54 ($4.30 each) plus shipping and handling at PrintingCenterUSA.com. Get an instant price on our cost calculator.
Size/Qty | 100 | 500 | 5000 | 10000 | 20000 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8.5 x 11 | $7.34 each $733.74 total | $4.30 each $2,147.54 total | $2.13 each $10,652.95 total | $1.84 each $18,356.29 total | $1.73 each $34,641.55 total |
5.5 x 8.5 | $5.11 each $510.77 total | $2.30 each $1,148.29 total | $1.34 each $6,696.63 total | $1.26 each $12,590.89 total | $1.14 each $22,817.55 total |
6 x 9 | $6.50 each $649.95 total | $2.74 each $1,367.79 total | $1.76 each $8,813.37 total | $1.53 each $15,333.59 total | $1.47 each $29,460.92 total |
• These are examples of our everyday competitive prices.
*Prices are subject to change/shipping NOT included.
Learn MoreHow to Print a Perfect Bound Book in 7 Easy and Affordable Steps
- Gather all of your Perfect Bound Book project’s content and images.
- Place and format your content and images in an Adobe Suite Program (InDesign or Illustrator) OR: Use our online design tool or downloadable templates to create your perfect bound book. Click Here for Perfect Binding Design Tips.
- Enter your Binding, Size, Quantity, # of Pages, Ink, Paper, In-Hand Delivery Date and get an Instant Quote.
- Order & Upload your print-ready PDF.
- We will then run your files through our 43-point checklist and send you a PDF or Hard Copy Proof for you to approve or reject.
- When approved, we will schedule and print your perfect bound book with a softcover that is thicker and more durable than the inside pages.
- Your perfect bound book will be delivered to your doorstep as promised for you to enjoy and distribute your perfect bound books.
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