Cookbook Printing
Whether you want to share your innovative recipes, preserve family traditions, or self-publish for profit, let’s make your cookbook good enough to eat!
Cooking is almost as old as humanity itself. Diverse flavours, dishes, aromas, traditional and innovative recipes enrich cultures around the world. But preparing and sharing tasty food transcends cultural and social boundaries.
At QinPrinting, we believe “the first taste is with the eyes.” A cookbook should be as much a visual feast as a culinary one. Print your cookbook with us and enjoy the benefits of 25 years’ industry experience, personalised service, and a delicious finished product!
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QinPrinting Rated Excellent
They produced an excellent product that was printed, shipped and arrived within the expected timescales.
Emails were responded to quickly by Susan.
The whole process was smooth and straightforward.
What a delight!
Whenever I have a creative idea, their team goes above and beyond to help bring it to life. I’ve printed four comic books with them, and each time, they’ve exceeded my expectations. If you’re considering a printer, take a chance on these friendly, reliable folks—they truly value your business. - Chad Townsend, Creator of The Black Phantom.
But working with Nelson was an absolute pleasure. He patiently addressed all my concerns, and my final printed book was just as I would hope it would be.
Common Cookbook Sizes
The most common size for a cookbook — because it’s large enough to look good but still easy to handle — is a square 210 mm × 210 mm format.
However, many clients prefer a luxury display cookbook that really shows off professional food photography, in which case 280 mm × 280 mm is a great choice.
A portrait-oriented 210 mm × 297 mm (A4) is another option. The smaller square size is generally better for everyday use in the kitchen.
You can also print your cookbook in custom sizes without any problem. Just keep in mind that custom sizes tend to cost a bit more due to the extra work involved. If you’re planning to sell your cookbooks, meeting consumer expectations with a standard size is often more effective than trying to stand out with an unusual design. For first-time publishers or those on a limited budget, we recommend sticking to a straightforward 210 mm × 210 mm format.
Cookbook Paper Options
The paper you choose to print your cookbook on will affect both the cost and the quality of the finished product. Most cookbooks include printed recipes, decorative illustrations and accents, colour symbols and keys, and high-resolution photography. For the best results, we recommend printing the interior pages on gloss or matt art paper.
Gloss and matt coated papers both offer surfaces that are ideal for vibrant colour reproduction. For cookbooks featuring full-page colour photography and minimal text, gloss is often the better option as it really makes the images stand out. For simpler cookbooks with fewer visual elements, matt paper still does justice to the photography while making the text easier to read.
Cookbook paper shouldn’t be too thin, or colours may “bleed through” from one side of the page to the other. Gloss or matt coated paper is a great choice as it’s more durable and even resists the occasional splash of sauce! It’s also important that most cookbooks can lie flat when opened. While this partly depends on the binding style, the paper shouldn’t be too heavy for that purpose.
At QinPrinting, we recommend 128 gsm or 157 gsm coated paper for cookbook interiors, as these provide a crisp, vibrant finish for artwork and ensure the text remains easy to read. This also helps prevent the artwork from showing through to the reverse side of the page.
The choice of interior paper also depends on the book’s size and thickness. As a general guideline, we recommend using thinner paper for the interior, particularly for smaller books. Thinner paper allows the book to open flat more easily, which is especially useful in the kitchen. If the interior paper is too thick, smaller books may be harder to keep open.
Paperback Cover Paper
- 200 gsm gloss cover paper
- 250 gsm gloss cover paper
- 300 gsm gloss cover paper
- 350 gsm gloss cover paper
- 200 gsm matte cover paper
- 250 gsm matte cover paper
- 300 gsm matte cover paper
Hardcover Paper
- 157 gsm coated cover paper wrapped on 2 mm greyboard
- 157 gsm coated cover paper wrapped on 2.5 mm greyboard
- 157 gsm coated cover paper wrapped on 3 mm greyboard
- Other paper options wrapped on greyboard
Interior Paper
- 128 gsm gloss text paper
- 157 gsm gloss text paper
- 200 gsm gloss text paper
- 128 gsm matte text paper
- 157 gsm matte text paper
- 200 gsm matte text paper
If the book is 216 mm × 280 mm or larger, we recommend using thicker paper for the interior. For example, 128 gsm or 157 gsm coated paper. If the book has 32 pages or fewer and you wish to use perfect binding, we suggest 200 gsm coated paper to ensure the spine has sufficient width.
You can download a book cover template to check the required spine thickness based on different paper types and page counts here.
For your cookbook cover, if you’ve chosen spiral binding or sewn perfect binding, you may opt for a heavier 250 gsm or 300 gsm gloss cover paper, available with either single-sided or double-sided coating.
If you’re producing a hardcover book, you might use 157 gsm gloss or matt coated cover paper mounted on 2 mm to 3 mm grey board.
Vinyl covers are another popular choice, as they are splash-proof and water-resistant, and available in a variety of attractive colours.
Special Finish Options
Here are some popular surface finishes that can enhance both the appearance and durability of your cookbook.
Shiny and reflective, perfect for vibrant graphics and photos.
Glossy highlights on specific areas for a striking contrast.
Smooth and non-reflective for a simple yet professional design.
Similar to matte lamination, but the resulting surface has a delightful, almost velvet feel.
A glossy finish applied to specific areas for a bold and distinct look.
Metallic or pigmented foil for a shiny, eye-catching effect.
Raised designs for added texture and elegance.
A recessed design that creates a tactile impression on the cover, adding texture and sophistication.
Cut a shape out of the paper material
Thin metallic foil—usually gold, silver, or bronze—is applied to the trimmed edges of your book's pages.
Custom patterns and images are sprayed on the edges for a truly unique appearance.
Print your design on a special paper that reflects light in a rainbow-like pattern.
Wrap your book in a durable synthetic leather material.
Cover your book with woven linen or cotton fabric.
Bindings for Cookbooks
You can choose from a range of binding options for your cookbook. Sewn perfect bound and sewn hardcover are the most popular choices, though we also offer spiral coil binding. Your decision may depend on your budget, the length of your book, market expectations, and other factors. All of the following binding styles allow the book to lie flat when open.
Perfect Binding (Sewn Perfect Binding)
This binding method is widely used for cookbooks. The interior pages are arranged into sets known as signatures, which are then sewn together and fixed into a wrap-around cover made from heavier art paper or lightweight card. For cookbooks with a higher page count, this is an excellent choice.
Lay-Flat Perfect Binding
We first sew the interior pages, then glue them into the cover — but unlike traditional perfect binding, the pages aren’t glued directly to the spine. This allows the book to open completely flat. Lay-flat perfect binding offers the best of both worlds: a polished, professional look with practical usability. Best of all, it’s the most cost-effective option among the open-flat binding styles.
Hardcover Binding (Sewn Hardcover)
For this method, we assemble the pages into signatures, which are printed, trimmed, sewn, and then glued into a rigid cover made from grey board wrapped in a printed sheet. This binding style offers the highest durability and a premium appearance.
Wire-O & Spiral Binding
Spiral binding is another popular option for cookbooks due to its practicality and flexibility. We punch holes along one edge of the pages and bind them with a plastic coil, which is crimped at both ends to prevent loosening. Spiral-bound books can turn 360° and lay fully flat. We can laminate the interior pages to make them more resistant to spills, and the covers can be made from waterproof vinyl. This is an excellent option for cookbooks intended for regular use in the kitchen.
No matter which binding style you choose, we aim to make the design process as smooth as possible. You’re welcome to use one of our ready-made design templates if it helps.
Cookbook Design and Artwork Tips
High-quality photographic reproduction is always important — but especially so when printing a cookbook. Whether your cookbook includes just a few styled images or step-by-step photo sequences for each recipe, your visuals should entice the reader’s imagination, suggesting the rich flavours, textures, and appeal of your dishes. With that in mind, here are a few handy tips to guide you when preparing your files for print.
Export your files as vector-based PDFs for the best results. We recommend using Adobe InDesign or Adobe Illustrator. These programs also allow you to convert your colour space from RGB to CMYK — a necessary step for offset printing.
If you're unable to supply vector artwork — for example, if you're exporting raster images from Photoshop — ensure your resolution is set to at least 300 dpi. Vectors aren't affected by resolution, but all other image types must be high-definition to allow for scaling without becoming blurry or pixelated.
You'll need to include a 3 mm bleed zone on all illustrated pages. A bleed is the area beyond the trim line, which is trimmed off after printing. It ensures that background images or colours extend all the way to the edge of the final page. Bleed zones should be marked clearly, typically with red lines.
Inside the trim area, be sure to leave a safe margin of at least 10 mm. This ensures that no important visual or text elements are placed too close to the page edge where they might be trimmed off or look crowded.
For spiral-bound cookbooks, you'll need to leave an additional 15 mm margin on the binding edge to allow space for the holes.
If you’re working with a professional designer, they’ll usually be familiar with what’s required to ensure your files are print-ready. However, if you’re preparing the design yourself using software for the first time, these are essential guidelines to keep in mind before submitting your files.
Rest assured, our team of experts manually checks every file before printing. If we spot any issues, we’ll let you know and help you fix them. We won’t proceed with printing until everything is in perfect order.
Need Help Preparing Your Files? We Offer a Free File Checking Service
Can’t find what you want? Contact us!
Custom Cookbook Printing Costs
At QinPrinting, we believe that cookbooks should be just as beautiful as they are practical. The best cookbooks bring together functionality, ease of use, and striking design. But we also understand that you may not have the budget of a world-famous chef. That’s why we work hard to offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry — without compromising on quality or service.
So, how much does it cost to print your cookbook with QinPrinting? While the final price depends on your specific choices — such as paper type, size, binding, and other options — you can get a quick idea by referring to our simple, at-a-glance pricing charts.
Most offset printers require a minimum print run of 500 or even 1,000 copies before they’ll go to press. But we know that’s often too large for independent publishers. That’s why our minimum order quantity (MOQ) is just 100 copies. Of course, the more copies you print, the lower your cost per unit.
How much does it cost to print a spiral binding cookbook?
200 mm × 200 mm Cookbook Printing Price Chart (Spiral Binding)
| Quantity | 100 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 5,000 copies | 10,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96pp + 4pp | Unit: A$12.47 Total: A$1,247 |
Unit: A$4.21 Total: A$2,107 |
Unit: A$3.06 Total: A$3,060 |
Unit: A$2.60 Total: A$5,202 |
Unit: A$2.47 Total: A$12,356 |
Unit: A$2.36 Total: A$23,575 |
| 128pp + 4pp | Unit: A$15.79 Total: A$1,579 |
Unit: A$5.22 Total: A$2,611 |
Unit: A$3.72 Total: A$3,721 |
Unit: A$3.13 Total: A$6,257 |
Unit: A$2.91 Total: A$14,526 |
Unit: A$2.77 Total: A$27,694 |
| 200pp + 4pp | Unit: A$23.36 Total: A$2,336 |
Unit: A$7.51 Total: A$3,757 |
Unit: A$5.24 Total: A$5,238 |
Unit: A$4.28 Total: A$8,569 |
Unit: A$3.88 Total: A$19,413 |
Unit: A$3.69 Total: A$36,896 |
- Please note: All prices are EXW (Ex Works) from our facility and do not include shipping costs.
- Cover: 250 gsm coated cover paper with gloss lamination
- Inner pages: 128 gsm coated text paper
- Printing: Full-colour printing on both cover and interior
How much does it cost to print a paperback cookbook?
200 mm x 260 mm Cookbook Printing Price Chart (Paperback)
| Quantity | 100 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 5,000 copies | 10,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80pp + 4pp | Unit: A$10.21 Total: A$1,021 |
Unit: A$2.94 Total: A$1,472 |
Unit: A$1.91 Total: A$1,905 |
Unit: A$1.45 Total: A$2,898 |
Unit: A$1.23 Total: A$6,130 |
Unit: A$1.15 Total: A$11,456 |
| 128pp + 4pp | Unit: A$15.18 Total: A$1,518 |
Unit: A$4.44 Total: A$2,221 |
Unit: A$2.89 Total: A$2,885 |
Unit: A$2.22 Total: A$4,435 |
Unit: A$1.86 Total: A$9,289 |
Unit: A$1.74 Total: A$17,448 |
| 192pp + 4pp | Unit: A$21.81 Total: A$2,181 |
Unit: A$6.44 Total: A$3,220 |
Unit: A$4.19 Total: A$4,190 |
Unit: A$3.22 Total: A$6,433 |
Unit: A$2.70 Total: A$13,488 |
Unit: A$2.54 Total: A$25,409 |
- Please note: All prices are EXW (Ex Works) from our facility and do not include shipping costs.
- Cover: 250 gsm coated cover paper with gloss lamination
- Inner pages: 128 gsm coated text paper
- Printing: Full-colour printing on both cover and interior
How much does it cost to print a hardcover cookbook?
200 mm × 200 mm Cookbook Printing Price Chart (Hardcover)
| Quantity | 100 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 5,000 copies | 10,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96pp | Unit: A$19.69 Total: A$1,969 |
Unit: A$5.46 Total: A$2,728 |
Unit: A$3.88 Total: A$3,877 |
Unit: A$3.21 Total: A$6,419 |
Unit: A$2.70 Total: A$13,509 |
Unit: A$2.58 Total: A$25,823 |
| 160pp | Unit: A$28.38 Total: A$2,838 |
Unit: A$7.88 Total: A$3,939 |
Unit: A$5.43 Total: A$5,433 |
Unit: A$4.33 Total: A$8,658 |
Unit: A$3.52 Total: A$17,584 |
Unit: A$3.35 Total: A$33,502 |
| 240pp | Unit: A$39.23 Total: A$3,923 |
Unit: A$10.91 Total: A$5,453 |
Unit: A$7.33 Total: A$7,326 |
Unit: A$5.72 Total: A$11,447 |
Unit: A$4.52 Total: A$22,613 |
Unit: A$4.31 Total: A$43,070 |
- Please note: All prices are EXW (Ex Works) from our facility and do not include shipping costs.
- Cover: 157 gsm coated cover paper with matte lamination, mounted on 2.5 mm grey board
- End sheets: 140 gsm uncoated text paper, blank
- Inner pages: 128 gsm coated text paper
- Printing: Full-colour printing on both cover and interior
If you already know your cookbook printing specifications and would like a more accurate estimate, simply enter your details into our handy Online Print Cost Calculator to receive an instant quote.
Otherwise, feel free to get in touch via email, phone, or our contact form — we’re always happy to help.
The QinPrinting Eco-Friendly Promise
At QinPrinting, we take our responsibility seriously to develop our industry sustainably, respecting the planet and future generations. For this reason, we use paper sourced from FSC-certified sustainable forests wherever possible. Recycled paper is also available upon request.
We use environmentally friendly soy-based inks—made from harmless, biodegradable vegetable products—instead of toxic resins and solvents. Printing your book in batches with offset printing, rather than one at a time via print-on-demand, is also significantly more energy-efficient, conserving both water and electricity.
When you order with us, we can include the FSC-certified logo and an environmental guarantee from the soy ink manufacturer.
Talk to Us!
If you’re eager to print a beautiful, high-quality cookbook — and value personal customer service just as much as a world-class product — then we should have a chat. Get in touch today to discuss your needs or to request a no-obligation quote. We can’t wait to help you create a delicious, mouthwatering cookbook!
