Photography Book Printing
Create a Stunning and Stylish Book of Your Fine Art Photography with Our Custom Offset Printing Services
Fine art photography is a form of creative expression that inspires us to look again — with refreshed vision — to see the world anew and remember what it means to wonder. Like any language, the grammar and syntax of light and shade, image and shadow, can reveal the poetry of a moment, tell a story, or draw attention to what often goes unseen.
At QinPrinting, we’re proud to help fine art photographers showcase their work in beautifully crafted print editions. We’ve built our world-class reputation in the field of fine art and photographic reproduction on 25 years of success in the industry, an expert team, cutting-edge technology, and personalised customer care.
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QinPrinting Rated Excellent
The sample kit they have available is a must-order for your project. It has every type of paper and finish with a bunch of sample products they've worked on, which helped me make an informed decision about how I wanted my game to look and feel.
The final product(s) arrived within their estimated window and in excellent condition. It still feels surreal to hold it in my hands, and it feels like a legitimate game—because it is!! All thanks to this incredibly talented and professional team.
I feel relieved to have a trusted manufacturer to continue printing my products as sales come in. They're truly worth every penny. Thank you, QinPrinting!!!
I went with Qin Printing as I had specific printing requests that could not be met by many Australian printing service providers, especially not at a competitive price point.
The quality and finishing of the conversation cards is outstanding and the entire process was seamless from start to end. The team at Qin Printing were prompt to reply to my questions and queries and also very helpful with troubleshooting.
I got regular updates on the status of the printing job and shipping period, including pictures and videos of the product.
Thank you everyone at Qin Printing!
The board books I had printed turned out great. Vibrant colors, quality bindings and individually shrink wrapped. All very professional.
Pricing, delivery, communication and quality were all exactly as advertised. No surprises.
Custom Fine Art Photography Book Sizes
The size of a fine art photography book is generally determined by the photographs, number of images, formatting, and the book’s orientation. A presentation portfolio with a landscape orientation, for example, is often larger than a standard coffee table book. Below is a list of common layouts for various types of fine art photography books to help you choose the most suitable format for your needs:
- Portrait portfolio: 210 mm × 297 mm (A4)
- Landscape portfolio: 297 mm × 210 mm (A4 landscape)
- Presentation book: 280 mm × 280 mm, 305 mm × 305 mm, 305 mm × 230 mm
- Oversized: 305 mm × 430 mm, 280 mm × 430 mm
Whether you opt for landscape or portrait orientation, we offer both at the same price — unlike most other printing companies that charge extra for landscape books. As a general recommendation, we suggest printing your fine art photography book as large as is practical. Provided you’re working with high-resolution images, a larger format produces more impressive results, allowing every detail of your work to shine.
If you’re self-publishing and need to ship a large number of copies, a smaller size may be more cost-effective and manageable. While larger formats offer greater visual impact, they also come with higher production and shipping costs.
That said, you’re not limited to the options above. We’re happy to produce custom fine art photography books in any size or format. Just remember that full customisation may involve higher costs and longer turnaround times due to additional pre-press and setup work. For special projects, however, the extra investment may be well worth it. The decision is entirely yours.
Fine Art Photography Book Paper Options
While a fine art photography book often includes some text, the photographs are the true centrepiece. For the best results, we recommend printing on either glossy or matte art paper. Both finishes are excellent for vivid printing that faithfully captures the colour, contrast, and fine details of your images. Gloss paper is ideal for publications with full-colour or black-and-white layouts and minimal text, offering a bright, vibrant finish. Matte paper, on the other hand, is often preferred for books that include more written content — it makes the text easier to read while still delivering beautiful colour and black-and-white reproduction. Matte also lends a more refined and understated aesthetic, while gloss feels bold and eye-catching.
For your fine art photography book, you’ll need at least two types of paper: one for the interior pages and one for the cover. You may also wish to include endpapers, which can match the interior paper or differ — for instance, using a heavier, coloured, or textured stock. A dust jacket and slipcase are also optional enhancements worth considering to elevate the final presentation.
Paper Stock for Fine Art Photography Books
Sewn perfect binding — a popular choice among publishers of high-quality fine art photography books — is a type of softcover that can lie flat when opened, without splitting the spine. This binding method requires a spine thickness of at least 3 mm.
A hardcover binding is another common option, especially when a premium, high-end look and feel is desired. In both cases, we recommend using 200 gsm gloss art paper for the interior pages if the book size exceeds 210 mm × 297 mm. This paper is visually appealing, durable, and provides faithful reproduction of your original photography.
At QinPrinting, unless you request otherwise, we always use superior sewn bindings — whether softcover or hardcover — for fine art photography books and catalogues.
Sewn Perfect Binding Cover Paper
- 200 gsm gloss art cover paper
- 250 gsm gloss art cover paper
- 300 gsm gloss art cover paper
- 350 gsm gloss art cover paper
- 200 gsm matte art cover paper
- 250 gsm matte art cover paper
- 300 gsm matte art cover paper
Hardcover Casing Paper
- 157 gsm coated cover paper wrapped on 2 mm grey board
- 157 gsm coated cover paper wrapped on 2.5 mm grey board
- 157 gsm coated cover paper wrapped on 3 mm grey board
- Other paper wrapped on grey board
Interior Paper
- 128 gsm coated text paper
- 157 gsm coated text paper
- 200 gsm coated text paper
End Sheet Paper
- 140 gsm uncoated text paper
- 157 gsm matte text paper
- 157 gsm gloss text paper
Slipcase
- 157 gsm coated text paper wrapped on 3 mm grey board
- Other paper wrapped on grey board
Cover Material Options
Cloth Covers
At QinPrinting, we offer traditional cloth covers in a wide range of colours.
Imitation Leather and Padded Imitation Leather Covers
We also provide imitation leather and padded imitation leather covers for books requiring a traditional, premium, and luxurious finish.
Special Finish Options
Here are some popular surface finishes that can enhance both the appearance and durability of your fine art photography book.
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 Photography Books
While photo books come in all shapes and sizes, the choice of binding is essential in terms of appearance, durability, and purpose. Here are the three most common, professional-looking options — all of which open flat for easy viewing.
Sewn Perfect Binding
This is the binding style we use for most photo books. The interior pages are collated into sets known as signatures, sewn together, and fixed into a wrap-around cover made from heavier art paper or lightweight card stock. For photo books with a moderate page count, this is an excellent option — combining elegance, practicality, and cost-effectiveness.
Hardcover Binding
With this option, the pages are organised into signatures, which are printed, trimmed, sewn, and then glued into a hard casing wrapped in a printed cover sheet. This binding is the most durable and professional in appearance — especially when enhanced with features such as a dust jacket, endpapers, or a marker ribbon.
Dust Jacket Covers
A dust jacket is a popular and practical way to protect hardcover books. It adds five printable areas to your design: the front cover, back cover, spine, and two inside flaps — offering an elegant enhancement to your publication. We can print the dust jacket in full colour and offer a range of finishes, including gloss or matte varnish, embossing, debossing, lamination, and foil stamping.
Depending on your book’s dimensions, dust jacket flaps are usually between 100 mm and 200 mm wide, providing ample space for an excerpt or introductory blurb on the front flap and an author biography or acknowledgements on the rear flap.
Textured Paper Slipcase
Slipcases are less common but add an air of sophistication and extra protection to hardcover fine art photography books. We construct them using printed paper wrapped around grey board, forming a five-sided case that leaves the front open — so that when the book is placed inside, only the spine is visible. Slipcases can hold one or more volumes.
You can choose from printed paper, fabric, vinyl, or leatherette for the outer wrap. Like your book, the slipcase can be enhanced with embossing, debossing, spot UV, and foil stamping. If you have a themed series — for example, a four-volume collection representing the seasons — a custom slipcase is a striking way to present them together.
Can’t find what you want? Contact us!
Fine Art Photography Book Design and Artwork Tips
Whether you’re designing your fine art photography book yourself or working with a professional designer, it’s essential to understand how to prepare your files correctly for print. You’ll need to take into account bleed zones, safety margins, trim lines, and borders — and ensure that the resolution and colour space are set appropriately.
With that in mind, here are a few practical tips to help you get your files press-ready.
Export your files as vectors in PDF format for the best results. We recommend using Adobe Illustrator or Adobe InDesign for designing your photo book, as both programs allow you to convert colour spaces from RGB to CMYK — which is required for offset printing.
If you can't supply vector files — for example, if you're exporting bitmaps from Photoshop — ensure the resolution is at least 300 dpi. Vector graphics don't require a resolution setting, but all raster images must be high-resolution to avoid looking blurry or pixelated when resized.
Add a 3 mm bleed zone around every page. This area extends beyond the final trim size and ensures that your images reach the edge of the page after trimming. Without a bleed, you risk leaving unwanted white borders. Bleeds should be marked clearly, typically using red guidelines.
Inside the bleed zone, mark the trim lines — these define the final dimensions of your printed page. Be sure to keep any important content (such as text or key visual elements) at least 10 mm inside the trim line to prevent it from being cut off.
If a photo spans two pages in a spread, avoid placing any critical elements — such as a subject's face or focal point — directly along the centre crease, as details may be lost in the binding.
If you’re working with a professional graphic designer, they should already understand what’s required to ensure your files are completely print-ready. But if you’re new to design software, these are the key points to keep in mind before submitting your files.
Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to supply print-ready files. However, don’t worry — we’re here to help every step of the way. We’ll gladly guide you through the process, explain what’s needed, liaise directly with your designer if required, and manually check all files to make sure everything runs smoothly and you receive a flawless print edition of your photography book.
Need Help Preparing Your Files? We Offer a Free File Checking Service
Custom Fine-Art Photography Book Printing Costs
At QinPrinting, we help fine art photographers print stunning photo books of exceptional quality every day. We understand, however, that not everyone has the budget of a major publishing house like Phaidon or Laurence King. That’s why we’re committed to delivering outstanding books at some of the most competitive prices on the market. So, if you’re a professional fine art photographer looking to produce an impressive portfolio of your work, we’re here to offer you expert support at a price you can afford.
But don’t just take our word for it — you can get an instant estimate of your custom fine art photography book by referring to our pricing tables. Unlike most offset book printing providers who require a minimum order of 500 or even 1,000 copies, we offer a low minimum order quantity (MOQ) of just 100 copies, still at an attractive rate. As you’ll see from the tables, the more copies you order in one batch, the lower the cost per unit.
How much does it cost to print a hardcover photography book?
Hardcover Photography Book Printing Price Chart (210 mm x 297 mm)
| Page count | 100 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 5,000 copies | 10,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80pp + 4pp | Unit: A$10.94 Total: A$1,094 |
Unit: A$3.23 Total: A$1,615 |
Unit: A$2.14 Total: A$2,140 |
Unit: A$1.70 Total: A$3,399 |
Unit: A$1.47 Total: A$7,350 |
Unit: A$1.39 Total: A$13,927 |
| 128pp + 4pp | Unit: A$16.15 Total: A$1,615 |
Unit: A$4.84 Total: A$2,420 |
Unit: A$3.24 Total: A$3,244 |
Unit: A$2.57 Total: A$5,143 |
Unit: A$2.24 Total: A$11,217 |
Unit: A$2.11 Total: A$21,117 |
| 256pp + 4pp | Unit: A$30.08 Total: A$3,008 |
Unit: A$9.22 Total: A$4,611 |
Unit: A$6.22 Total: A$6,220 |
Unit: A$4.93 Total: A$9,857 |
Unit: A$4.28 Total: A$21,380 |
Unit: A$4.07 Total: A$40,713 |
- Please note that all prices are EXW our facility and do not include shipping costs.
- Cover: 157 gsm coated cover paper with matte lamination, wrapped on 2.5 mm thick grey board
- End sheets: 140 gsm uncoated text paper, blank
- Inner: 157 gsm coated text paper
- Cover and inner: full-colour printing
How much does it cost to print a paperback photography book?
Paperback Photography Book Printing Price Chart (210 mm × 297 mm)
| Page count | 100 copies | 500 copies | 1,000 copies | 2,000 copies | 5,000 copies | 10,000 copies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80pp | Unit: A$18.20 Total: A$1,820 |
Unit: A$5.15 Total: A$2,575 |
Unit: A$3.80 Total: A$3,800 |
Unit: A$3.19 Total: A$6,379 |
Unit: A$2.73 Total: A$13,637 |
Unit: A$2.62 Total: A$26,224 |
| 128pp | Unit: A$25.04 Total: A$2,504 |
Unit: A$7.13 Total: A$3,565 |
Unit: A$5.07 Total: A$5,070 |
Unit: A$4.14 Total: A$8,278 |
Unit: A$3.45 Total: A$17,270 |
Unit: A$3.30 Total: A$33,029 |
| 256pp | Unit: A$43.29 Total: A$4,329 |
Unit: A$12.46 Total: A$6,230 |
Unit: A$8.48 Total: A$8,480 |
Unit: A$6.69 Total: A$13,379 |
Unit: A$5.37 Total: A$26,865 |
Unit: A$5.13 Total: A$51,345 |
- Please note that all prices are EXW our facility and do not include shipping costs.
- Cover: 250 gsm coated cover paper with matte lamination on the outside
- Interior: 128 gsm coated text paper, full-colour printing
- Cover and inner: full-colour printing
- Binding: perfect binding
For a more precise and personalised estimate, take advantage of our easy-to-use online Printing Cost Calculator. If you have any questions, get in touch — one of our expert team members (not a chatbot or an inexperienced call centre operator!) will be more than happy to assist you.
Hard Proofs and Samples
Producing a photography book is a significant undertaking. To ensure the print quality meets your expectations, we recommend creating a set of hard proofs along with 4 to 16-page offset printing samples.
Why? The colours in the hard proof and the final printed book typically match around 95%. The offset printing sample shows the final colours more accurately. By comparing the hard proof and the offset print sample, you’ll get a clear idea of how the colours will appear in the finished book.
Let's Talk!
If you’re a professional fine art photographer looking to print a stunning portfolio of exceptional quality at an unbeatable price, let’s have a chat. Get in touch today to discuss your needs or request a no-obligation quote. We can’t wait to help you create a fine art photography book that’s a true work of art in its own right!
