Hardback Book Printing — Case Bound, Cloth or Printed Covers, in 7 Days

The format of a self-published book influences cost, durability, reader experience and shelf appeal. Our comparison of hardbound vs paperback helps authors weigh up the appeal of a premium hardback against the accessibility and affordability of a paperback. For readers who want a deeper understanding of that lighter format, what is the paperback book explains its construction, strengths, common uses and why it remains such a popular choice for authors and publishers.

There is also a broader publishing context to consider. Our guide to the EUDR and self-publishers introduces the paper-traceability questions that authors selling into the EU may need to understand. It adds a useful layer of practical awareness for self-publishers planning future distribution. Together, these resources help authors make format decisions with a clearer grasp of production, readership and the responsibilities attached to selling printed books more widely.

These specs are here to inspire and guide you. Use them as a blueprint for your quotations or, if you have specific requirements, don't hesitate to reach out to our team via email. We're here to help!

Three Showcases:

A4 Case Bound Books:
Cover onto 170gsm Silk
Wrapped over greyboard case
Matt laminated to the outer
2x 4pp End Papers unprinted onto 170gsm Uncoated
134 inside pages onto 115gsm Uncoated
Full colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated, and case bound

210x210mm Books:
4pp Cover onto 170gsm Silk
Matt Lamination to outer
Wrapped over greyboard case
2x 4pp Printed end papers onto 170gsm Uncoated
44pp Text onto 170gsm Silk
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated, and case bound

280x205mm Case Bound Books:
Cover onto 170gsm Silk
Wrapped over greyboard case
Matt laminated to outer
2x 4pp End Papers Printed onto 170gsm Uncoated
128 inside pages onto 170gsm Silk
Four colour print throughout
Trimmed, collated, and case bound

Plus a Limited Edition with gold foiling to the front cover

Suggestions:
While these specifications have delivered impressive results for many of our clients, we understand that every story is unique. Don't feel constrained! If you envision a different texture, weight, or finishing touch for your hardback book, let's discuss. We're all about crafting a product that's authentically you!

More video help from our Showcase Snippet Videos

Create and print an awesome Hardback Photography book.

What sets us apart?
It's our passion for print. We take pride in every book that leaves our factory, ensuring that each one meets our stringent quality standards. From the choice of paper to the binding technique, every detail is meticulously crafted to perfection. Increasingly we are seeing a trend towards authors producing both hardback and softback versions of their books to target different markets and price points - we can of course print both versions for you.

Here at Ex Why Zed, we will work with you to ensure you get the very best, most attractive and professional-looking version of your book. Having worked with some of the biggest brands in the UK and beyond, we’re confident we can produce unique, bespoke results that showcase the messages you want to deliver.

Why trust us with your project?
With hundreds of successful projects under our belt, we've earned the trust of authors and businesses alike. Our reviews speak volumes about our dedication to customer satisfaction. Plus, with our comprehensive resources and video guides, we ensure that you're well-informed at every step of the journey.

The Ex Why Zed difference: It's simple. We care. We care about your vision, your deadlines, and your budget. Our team goes the extra mile to ensure that your hardback book not only looks great but also stands the test of time.

We are not a faceless internet company, we are responsive, readily available on the phone, email, Live Chat and even Zoom. That’s the kind of experience you want when you choose someone to partner with when working on printing hardback books. They are a technical publication to produce with a lot of factor to consider and we are here to answer all the questions you will have long the way.

You need people to support you through the printing process who have been working in this field for years. Our skills, knowledge, and experience will be one of the biggest contributors to you feeling an over whelming feeling of happiness when you open the boxes on delivery day and catch a glimpse of your book for the first time.

Yes, we print your photography, illustrations or artwork onto 170gsm and then matt or gloss laminate the sheet. Printing the cover means you have a complete custom hardcover for your book.

Yes! We buy all of our materials from Winter & Co so do take a look through their range for hundreds of options on texture, finish and colour:

This is good for a coloured smooth option:

https://www.winter-company.com/en/products-a-z/wibalin/natural

And for more texture, check out:

https://www.winter-company.com/en/products-a-z/wibalin/buckram/

These cannot be printed onto so the content has to be foiled and is limited to a logo, some title text or the author's name.

To be transparent from the off, the material will be around £200-240 and the foiling adds a further £280 (flat rate from 1-500 copies).

So, while it will make for a visually great hardback book, it is an expensive addition on small print runs. Maybe stick to a printed cover which gives you more creative freedom to

The cover of a hardback book is super rigid and too thick to emboss.

A logo or title, can be foiled. To be transparent from the off, the material will be around £180-220 and the foiling adds a further £280. So while it will make for a visually great hardback book, it is an expensive addition on small print runs.

Definitely! Printed end-papers always look super cool and a great visual start when the reader opens the cover.

Hardback Book Page Running Order

Front Cover (choose from 170gsm Silk with Matt or Gloss Lamination or one of the cover materials from Winter&Co)

End paper left - glued to the inside front cover (170gsm uncoated)

End paper right (170gsm uncoated)

Reverse end paper left (170gsm uncoated)

First right hand 'inside' page - page 1 of your text page PDF. Choose from Silk, Gloss or Uncoated, 115gsm > 170gsm thickness.

Double page spread formed by pages 2 and 3 in your inside page PDF.

4 and 5 make a spread, 6 and 7, 8 and 9 etc.

At the end of the book, the running order is:

Double page spread formed by the penultimate last two pages in your inside page PDF.

Last left hand 'inside' page - the last page of your text page PDF. Choose from Silk, Gloss or Uncoated, 115gsm > 170gsm thickness.

Front end paper right (170gsm uncoated)

End paper left (170gsm uncoated)

End paper right - glued to the inside back cover (170gsm uncoated)

Back Cover (choose from 170gsm Silk with Matt or Gloss Lamination or one of the cover materials from Winter&Co)

Absolutely! We specialise in hardcover book creation, offering a range of options to suit your needs.

Hardcover book printing is a process of binding printed pages within a rigid cover. It offers durability and a premium feel.

Stapled zines and booklets are with you in 3 working days, perfect bound books in 5 and hardbacks in 7, counted from approval of your print-ready artwork, with free tracked UK delivery. That 7 days covers digital hardbacks under 500 copies. Litho hardbacks with section sewing or a premium cover take longer, and from September onwards we get very busy, so allow 4–8 weeks then. Working to a hard deadline? Email us your spec and your date, and we’ll confirm the turnaround and tell you exactly when we need your artwork. On runs of 1–20 stapled or perfect bound copies we check your artwork thoroughly and send it straight to print; 21 copies and over, and every hardback, get a PDF proof to approve first.

For the ISBN you should go directly to https://www.nielsenisbnstore.com/ who are the UK suppliers. On their site, you secure the ISBN, then download the barcode which can be added to your artwork.

There are a myriad of way to present your ideas to the world, but hardback books will always be one of the most impressive solutions for your creative ideas.

Here’s why:

Durability
The biggest benefit of hardcover books is that they stand the test of time. They are made from durable materials, so these types of books can be passed on from one generation to another. They are intended to make a visual mark in the sand, to form the centrepiece of a coffee table and to showcase an important section of your very best work.

Paperback books have their benefits too but are more lightweight and don't have the same weighty feel. The content and pages within a hardback book, is protected by a rigid cover, and stronger binding. On longer print runs of 700 copies or more we can section sew the inside pages and add head n tail bands to give you the maximum possible production values.

Aesthetics
Appearance-wise, hardback books give off more of an air of sophistication and class than a paperback or a pdf version of your text.

Case Bound books also offers plenty of scope for customisation too. Let your creativity run wild - we try our best to offer the biggest range of custom sizes. Covers, for example, can be constructed from canvas or cloth, and foiled with your title or logo.

The pages are of high quality as well. The look and feel of crisp pages give readers a more tactile experience that makes your words by far preferable to any form of digital media.

Ageing
Compared to paperback books, hardback copies age beautifully. They have a long shelf life and don’t suffer the same wear and tear that paperback books experience through handling.

Paperback books are more prone to moisture damage. The pages yellow quickly over time, and as readers handle them, the binding gives out far more quickly than a hardback. This is not something you need to worry about with hardbound books. For a visual comparison between the two binding methods, here is a short 10 second video.

Let us know what creative ideas you want to put into book form, and let’s work on it together. Our project builder will help to put everything together for you in a snap. Whether you’re looking to get started on a hardback notebook printing project or have something else in mind, we can handle it for you.

Yes of course, but you knew that right?

Hardback books are timeless masterpieces, passed down through generations, savoured by readers young and old. They're not just about the content within; they're about the experience, the weight in your hands, the rustle of pages, and the pride of seeing your name on a beautifully bound spine. At Ex Why Zed, we understand this sentiment deeply, and we've dedicated ourselves to ensuring every hardback book we print mirrors this legacy.

No, they mean the same thing: a book bound in a rigid board case. You'll also hear it called case binding.

Yes. We print single hardbacks and short runs, so you can check a test copy in your hands before ordering the full run.

Popular choices are A5, A4 and square formats, and we print custom sizes too. Recent hardbacks range from Ted Baker London's 240 × 170mm lookbook to David Southern's 240 × 280mm landscape photobook.