Paperback vs Hardcover: Which Should You Print?

For most self-published authors in South Africa, a paperback is the better choice. It costs far less per copy, is lighter to courier, and is the format most readers buy. A hardcover makes sense for gift books, special editions and books meant to last for generations.

A paperback (also called a softcover) has a flexible card cover glued to the spine of the pages. A hardcover (case-bound book) has rigid boards wrapped in printed paper or cloth, and is often finished with a dust jacket.

• Cost: a hardcover typically costs several times more per copy than a paperback, because of the boards, the extra binding steps and slower production.
• Durability: hardcovers survive heavy use better, but a well-bound paperback with PUR glue holds up for years of normal reading.
• Weight and shipping: paperbacks are lighter, which keeps courier costs down for every order.
• Selling price: readers expect to pay more for a hardcover, but in South Africa most self-published books sell as paperbacks priced to suit the local market.
• Look and feel: hardcovers feel premium; a paperback with a matte or gloss laminated cover still looks fully professional.

• Novels, memoirs, business, faith and self-help books.
• Books you will sell at launches, events and online.
• First editions, where you want to keep upfront costs low.

• Coffee table, photography and gift books.
• Commemorative books, such as a company anniversary or family history.
• A limited special edition alongside a standard paperback.

Our standard print runs are paperbacks in A5 or 6×9, with a gloss or matte laminated cover, black and white inners on white or cream paper, and PUR perfect binding for a strong, flexible spine. Runs start at 100 copies and are delivered 10 working days after you approve the proof. A5 printing starts at R4,500 for 100 copies of a 50 to 100 page book. See A5 printing prices and 6×9 printing prices, or read about types of book binding.