How to Print a Book

Step 1 — Prepare Your Manuscript

Before printing, your manuscript must be typeset and laid out in a professional page design. This includes setting margins, choosing fonts, creating chapter headings, and formatting headers and footers. If your manuscript is in Microsoft Word, it needs to be converted to a print-ready layout. We offer professional typesetting and layout services.

• Use professional typesetting software (InDesign, Affinity Publisher, or Vellum)
• Set inner margins wider than outer margins to account for the spine
• Use cream or white 80gsm/100gsm paper as your page size reference
• Include front matter (title page, copyright page, contents)
• Include back matter (bibliography, index, author bio)

Step 2 — Choose Your Book Size

The most popular book sizes in South Africa are A5 (148×210mm) for novels, memoirs, and non-fiction, and 6×9 inches (152×229mm) for trade paperbacks and Amazon KDP books. Children's books are typically square: 15×15cm, 20×20cm, or 21×21cm.

Step 3 — Choose Your Paper

Paper choice significantly affects the look, feel, and cost of your book. For novels and literary fiction, cream paper (80gsm or 100gsm) is recommended — it's warmer on the eyes and gives a premium literary feel. For illustrated books, children's books, and full-colour content, bright white coated paper (130gsm+) is best.

• Cream 80gsm — most popular for novels, memoirs, poetry
• White 80gsm — clean and crisp for non-fiction and academic books
• White 100gsm — slightly heavier, used for quality trade books
• Coated 130gsm–170gsm — for full-colour children's books and cookbooks

Step 4 — Choose Your Binding Type

The binding type determines how your book's pages are held together. Perfect binding (softcover) is the most common and affordable option for most books. Hardcover case binding is used for premium, gift, and collector editions.

Step 5 — Prepare a Print-Ready PDF

Your finished book file must be submitted as a print-ready PDF. This means all fonts are embedded, images are 300 DPI, the document includes 3mm bleed on all sides, and crop marks are included. The colour mode should be CMYK for colour books. If you are unsure how to create a print-ready PDF, we can do it for you.

• Export as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4
• Set resolution to 300 DPI for all images
• Add 3mm bleed on all four sides
• Embed all fonts
• Convert to CMYK for colour content
• Include crop marks and registration marks

Step 6 — Get a Quote and Approve a Proof

Once your files are ready, submit them to us for a printing quote. We check your files for print compatibility at no charge and send a detailed quote within 24 hours. Before your full print run, we recommend ordering a physical proof copy — this lets you check the colours, paper, binding, and overall quality before committing to the full quantity.

Book Printing Costs in South Africa

Book printing costs depend on page count, size, paper type, binding, quantity, and colour. Here is a general pricing guide: