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Print Your Custom Children’s Book in Essex with Ease

Turn your idea into a professionally printed children’s book in Essex with expert support, simple steps, and flexible options to publish, print, and share your story confidently.

8 Great Reasons to Print With Us

• Send us your PDF, and we'll take care of the rest
• Stapled booklets delivered within 3 days
• Perfect-bound books ready in 5 days
Instant pricing available for up to 20 copies
• Storage, fulfilment, and distribution services
Friendly support from real people
• Free file check included
Free paper samples available

Free UK delivery on every order with no extra cost
Fast and reliable turnaround times to keep your book on track
Free paper sample pack so you can choose with confidence

Got a Children’s Book Idea but Not Sure What to Do Next?

Many people in Essex start with a great story but get stuck figuring out how to turn it into a real book. The process can feel confusing, slow, and difficult to navigate alone.

Ex Why Zed makes it simple.

Instead of dealing with unclear steps or unreliable results, you get a structured, guided approach that takes you from idea to a professionally printed children’s book without the usual stress.

What makes the difference:

  • Clear step-by-step support from concept to final print
  • Professional layouts designed for children’s storytelling
  • High-quality printing with consistent colour and finish
  • Fast turnaround to keep your project moving
  • Flexible print options from single copies to larger runs
  • Honest guidance so you avoid common publishing mistakes

This is built for first-time authors, parents, educators, and anyone ready to turn an idea into a finished book.

Start your children’s book today

Watch Before You Print Your Book

To help you make confident printing decisions, we have carefully reviewed and broken down a selection of recent projects, showcasing what is possible when bringing a children’s book to life.

How It Works: From Idea to Finished Children’s Book

It is simpler than you might think. You do not need to figure everything out on your own. Each step is clear, guided, and designed to keep your book moving forward without delays.

1. Share Your Idea or Files: Send your manuscript, draft, or even a rough concept. You will be guided on what to do next.

2. Choose Your Book Setup: Pick your size, format, paper, and finish with simple, expert guidance.

3. We Prepare Your Book: Your files are checked and adjusted to make sure everything prints perfectly.

4. Print and Delivery: Your book is printed professionally and delivered safely to you.

5. Reprint Anytime: Order more copies whenever you need them as your book grows.

No confusion. Just a clear path from idea to finished book.

Get a quote today

Which Binding Works Best for Your Children’s Book?

One of the biggest decisions when creating custom children's books in Essex is how your book is bound. It shapes how it feels to read, how durable it is, and how professional it looks.

Here are the main options to consider:

1. Stapled (Wire Stitch)

A simple and lightweight option where pages are folded and secured along the spine.

  • Best for shorter books (up to around 40 pages)
  • Pages need to follow a multiple-of-4 format
  • Opens flat, making it great for illustrated spreads

A good choice for early drafts, activity books, or shorter stories.

2. Perfect Bound (Softcover)

This is the format most people recognise from bookshops, with pages glued into a soft cover and a clean spine.

  • Works well for books with higher page counts (40+ pages)
  • Needs enough thickness to form a proper spine
  • Gives your book a more polished, professional finish

Ideal if you want your book to look like something you’d find through children’s book publishers in the UK.

3. Hardcover (Case Bound)

A premium option with a rigid cover that adds durability and a high-end feel.

  • Suitable for books from around 28 pages and above
  • Built to last and handle repeated use
  • Feels more like a keepsake or gift edition

Perfect if you want to publish a children’s book in the UK that feels special and long-lasting.

Pick your binding style

Get Your Books Delivered Across Essex and the UK

Once your book is ready, you just want it in your hands without any delays or stress. Whether you're about to publish a children's book in the UK or simply sharing copies, delivery is handled so everything arrives when you expect it.

  • Free UK delivery using trusted courier services
  • Fast turnaround, so you are not left waiting
  • Clear timelines based on your book setup and quantity
  • Tracked shipping so you can follow your order at every step

If you are working toward a deadline, timings are planned carefully to keep everything on track. And if you need shipping outside the UK, that is covered too, with reliable tracked options.

You focus on your book. The rest is taken care of.

Order now

4 Proven Children’s Book Print Styles You Can Rely On

Want a strong starting point for your children’s book? Here are four tried-and-tested print specifications that consistently deliver great results.

Each option has its own strengths, balancing production efficiency, cost per copy, and most importantly, reader appeal. These combinations have been refined through real projects, so you know they work in the real world.

Showcase 1 - Donkey Soup

A clean, square format with a professional, perfect-bound finish

  • 210 x 210mm perfect-bound books
  • 4pp cover on 300gsm silk
  • Matt lamination on the outer cover
  • 40pp text on 170gsm silk
  • Full colour throughout
  • Approximate cost: 200 copies at £5.95 per book

Showcase 2 - Nelson's Dangerous Dive

A landscape stapled format inspired by popular children’s titles, ideal for larger runs

  • 210 x 272mm landscape wire-stitched booklets
  • 4pp cover on 350gsm Ensocoat (one side gloss, one side uncoated)
  • Gloss lamination on the outer cover
  • 32pp text on 170gsm silk
  • Full colour throughout
  • Approximate cost: 5000 copies at 84p per copy

Showcase 3 - Guru's Song Adventure

A premium square hardback option with a high-end feel

  • 210 x 210mm case-bound books
  • Cover printed on 170gsm silk and wrapped over greyboard
  • Lamination on the outer cover
  • Printed endpapers on 170gsm silk
  • 52 inside pages on 170gsm silk
  • Full colour throughout

Showcase 4 - Flo The Fish

A budget-friendly stapled landscape booklet, perfect for smaller quantities

  • A5 landscape booklets
  • 4pp cover on 350gsm silk
  • Matt lamination on the outer cover
  • 24pp text on 170gsm silk
  • Full colour throughout
  • Approximate cost: 400 copies at £1.30 per booklet

If one of these setups feels right for your book, note down the spec and head over to our quote form for a tailored price. Prefer email? Just drop us a message at hello@exwhyzed.com, and we’ll take it from there.

Ways to Customise Your Book

  • Use a lighter 250gsm cover for a more flexible feel
  • Choose gloss lamination for a brighter, shinier finish
  • Reduce to A5 for a more compact and cost-effective format
  • Increase to A4 for more visual space and impact
  • Upgrade inner pages to 170gsm for a more premium feel
  • Add spot UV or foiling on the cover for a standout finish (additional £280)

Get Your Print Quote

Get your print quote
THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

Browse real children’s books we’ve produced and see the quality you can expect.

What Our Clients Say About Us

I’ve printed 20 copies of my child’s illustration book, for our friends and family and I’m amazed by the quality of it! I can’t believe how professional it looks, and I can’t wait for everyone to open their gift for Christmas! Me and my daughter will cherish them forever!

Gaelle

The print job is terrific. Great care is taken to get the images just right.

Aaron

I have printed two magazine projects with Mike and ExWhyZed and it has been an awesome experience both times!

He's a real pro at talking through the technical aspects and knowing how to align them with the creative vision of the project. Amazing quality price point, speedy turnaround and above all, beautiful printed product.

Beyond happy with them -- I can't wait to print my next mag at ExWhyZed 🙂

Henry

What Are the Benefits of Printing Your Children’s Book with Ex Why Zed?
Expert, Approachable Support
Speak directly with a knowledgeable team that understands your project and guides you clearly through every stage.
Sustainable Print Choices
FSC-certified papers and vegetable-based inks ensure high-quality results with a more environmentally responsible approach.
Simple File Setup Guidance
Easy-to-follow guides help you prepare print-ready artwork quickly, with support available whenever you need it.
Free Paper Samples
Compare paper options in person so you can choose the look and feel that suits your book best.
Print the Quantity You Need
From a single copy to larger runs, you have full flexibility based on your goals and budget.
UK and Global Delivery
Fast, free UK delivery and reliable international shipping options at competitive rates.
Bespoke Size Options
Go beyond standard formats with custom sizes tailored to your book’s design.
Test Copy Available
Review a printed sample before your full run to ensure everything looks exactly as expected.

FAQs Before You Print Your Children’s Book

Got a final question before getting started? These answers will help you move forward with clarity, from setup to delivery.

View all our FAQs

View all our FAQ's
Are there UK publishers open to first-time children's authors?

Yes, many children’s book publishers and independent publishers accept unsolicited submissions, especially for picture books and children’s fiction. Ex Why Zed can help prepare print-ready files once your project is accepted.

Do UK publishers prefer literary agents for children's book submissions?

Many publishing houses prefer agented submissions, especially in the wider publishing industry. However, some independent publishers and picture book publishers accept direct submissions. Ex Why Zed supports authors moving forward after acceptance.

What should I include in a children's book submission to a UK publisher?

Include a clear query letter or cover letter, sample chapters or entire manuscript, word count, and target audience. Following submission guidelines is essential, and Ex Why Zed can support you once you’re ready to print.

What are the top children's book publishers in the UK that accept new submissions?

Some UK children’s publishers accept submissions through agents, while a few smaller presses open periodically. Always check submission guidelines, genres, and formats before sending your manuscript.

Which UK children's book publishers are currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts?

A limited number of UK children’s publishers accept unsolicited manuscripts. Independent presses are more likely to consider direct submissions, but always review their current policies before applying.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when submitting a children's book to UK publishers?

Common mistakes include ignoring guidelines, submitting incomplete manuscripts, weak cover letters, poor formatting, and not researching the publisher’s focus. Always tailor your submission and ensure your story fits their catalogue.

How can I publish my children's book in the UK?

You can publish your children’s book in the UK by either approaching traditional publishers or choosing self-publishing. With Ex Why Zed, you can take the self-publishing route, giving you full control over design, printing, and distribution while bringing your book to market faster.

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