If you’ve ever requested pricing for a book printing project, you might have received a quote filled with terms that aren’t immediately clear. At first glance, it can feel overwhelming—but once you understand how to read it, a printing quote becomes a powerful tool for making informed decisions about your book.
Here’s a straightforward guide to help you break it down and evaluate your options with confidence.
Your Printing Quote
Below is an example of a quote for softcover, perfect bound printing.
Number of Pages: 200 pp text + 2 pp cover
Finished Size: 5.5”w X 8.5”h
Text Stock: Digitally printed 1/1 black ink on 50lb white uncoated stock
Cover Stock: Digitally printed 4/0 on 12pt cardstock
Cover Finishing: Gloss Lamination
Binding: Perfect bound
Proof: Electronic proof
Shipping: Customer pick up, shipping extra
Turnaround: 7 to 10 business days after approval of final proof
Below are the individual terms that will be found in your book printing quote explained in greater detail.
*This quote is for reference only. These details will vary depending on your specific job.
Number of Pages: 200 pp text + 2 pp cover
This means your book has:
- 200 interior printed pages (single-sided page count; includes text and images), equivalent to 100 sheets (double-sided printing)
- 2 pages for the cover (front and back as a single printed piece). In printing, covers are counted separately because they’re produced on different paper and printed differently than the inside pages.
Important Note: Blank pages within the manuscript are still considered printed pages; and in printing, interior pages are counted per side (not per sheet). This is important to take into account when giving your final page count, otherwise, the quote may not be accurate.
Finished Size: 5.5” W x 8.5” H
This is the final, trimmed size of your book—5.5 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall. We can print custom sized books, and the size of your print ready PDF must match the size specified in your quote.
When it comes to hardcover and flexi-bound books, this trim size refer to the text block, not the cover case—the cover will be slightly larger.
Text Stock: Digitally printed 1/1 black ink on 50lb white uncoated stock
This line describes how the inside pages are printed.
- Digitally printed: This job will be printed on our digital printing press.
- 1/1 black ink: Black ink only, printed on both sides of the page. Alternatively, “4/4 full color” would mean that the pages that are printed using four ink colors (CMYK). By combining these four inks in different percentages, a printer can reproduce a wide range of colors.
- 50lb white uncoated stock: The type of paper used for the inside pages. 50lb refers to the weight of paper, white is the color of the paper, and the paper does not have any coating on it, such as gloss or matte coating. If you would prefer a different type of paper, you must make this clear when requesting a quote. We are always happy to suggest the best paper type for your job!
Cover Stock: Digitally printed 4/0 on 12pt cardstock
This explains the cover printing.
- Printed 4/0: Full color on the outside, no printing on the inside. Printed 4/4 would mean that there is printing on the inside of the cover. Inside cover printing can be requesting at the time of quoting.
- 12pt cardstock: The type of material used for the cover. It is a moderately thick, flexible cover stock common for paperback printing. This will vary depending on the type of book, for example, hardcover books will be printed on coated paper that will then be wrapped over 2.5mm gray board.
Note: Not all books have to have a different material for the cover. Saddle-stitch books have the option to do self-cover, meaning the cover is the same paper as the inside stock.
Cover Finishing: Gloss Lamination
A thin glossy film is applied over the cover. We also offer soft-touch matte cover lamination or no lamination (*not recommended as the cover may crease easier). The type of cover lamination must be specified when requesting a quote.
Special cover finishing’s are also available upon request.
Binding: Perfect Bound
This section refers to the binding method of your book. This quote specifies perfect binding, but we offer a wide selection of binding such as hardcover smyth-sewn, saddle stitching, coil binding, etc.
Proof: Electronic Proof
Before printing, you’ll receive a electronic proof (PDF) showing exactly how your book will look after production setup. This is your chance to check layout and formatting after imposition and approve the final print-ready version
No physical sample is included in this quote—only a digital proof. You may request a physical proof.
Shipping: Customer Pick Up, Shipping Extra
The quoted price does not include shipping. You can pick up from our office or request shipping for an additional cost.
Turnaround: 7 to 10 Business Days After Approval of Final Proof
Production begins only after you approve the proof.
From that point:
- Printing takes 7–10 business days (*will vary depending on binding type and order quantity).
- Shipping time (if needed) is additional
- Note: A printed proof will add time to your turnaround
If you’re working toward a deadline, this approval step is critical—any delays here will push your timeline. It is important to verify the turnaround for your job before placing the order, to ensure that we can meet your required date.
Final Thoughts
A book printing quote isn’t just a number—it’s a detailed snapshot of how your book will be produced. Once you understand each section, you can make smarter decisions about cost, quality, and overall value.
If something in a quote isn’t clear, it’s always worth asking for clarification. At Sure Print and Design, we will be happy to walk you through the details and help you find the best solution for your project.
