Book printing turns a manuscript, a family history or a year of photos into something you can hold. Self-published novels, church hymn books, school yearbooks, poetry collections, manuals, photo books and receipt books all go through a printer and a bindery. Whether you need 20 copies for a book launch or 2,000 for distribution, a printer near you can quote the job, from short print-on-demand runs to litho. Book printing in South Africa is usually quoted per copy. Send one request and local printers quote you directly, free and with no obligation.
Book printing and binding types
- Perfect bound paperbacks: pages glued into a square spine, the usual choice for novels and company histories
- Hardcover book printing (case bound) for premium books, photo books and yearbooks
- Saddle stitched for thin books under about 48 pages; see booklet printing
- Wire-o or spiral for cookbooks, manuals and workbooks that must lie flat
- Receipt book printing: numbered, carbonless duplicate or triplicate books
Size, paper and print run
A5 (148 x 210 mm) is common for novels and poetry; B5 and A4 suit manuals and workbooks. Text is usually on 70 to 90 gsm uncoated or bond paper; photo books need coated paper so pictures stay sharp. Covers are 250 to 350 gsm board, often matt laminated. For short runs, digital print-on-demand avoids boxes of unsold stock. On long runs, litho is usually cheaper per copy, so ask for both prices. Photo book printing needs pictures at about 300 dpi at the size they appear, and a lay-flat binding is worth asking about for wedding and travel albums.
Files, ISBN and legal deposit
Send the inside pages as one PDF at trim size, with bleed only where pictures run off the page, and the cover as a separate spread. The spine width depends on page count and paper, so get it from the printer before designing the cover. Self-published books in South Africa can get an ISBN free from the National Library of South Africa, and the Legal Deposit Act asks publishers to deposit copies with legal deposit libraries. Order one proof copy before the full run.
What affects the price and what to ask
Page count, colour or black inside, size, paper, binding and the number of copies set the price. Ask:
- Digital or litho, and the price per copy at two quantities?
- What spine width and cover template should I use?
- Is a printed proof copy included?
- How are the books packed and delivered, and to where?
For flyers or posters for the launch, add them to the request.
What to include in your request
- Finished size and page count
- Black or colour inside
- Paperback, hardcover or spiral
- Number of copies, or two to compare
- Whether you need a proof copy first
Book Printing for different clients
- Families and individuals: family histories, memoirs, recipe collections and photo books for gifts
- Small businesses and start-ups: self-published guides, receipt books and order books for daily trading
- Companies and offices: company histories, policy manuals and training workbooks for staff
- Shops, restaurants and salons: product catalogues and printed order books for shops and franchises
- Events, conferences and clubs: souvenir books and commemorative programmes for anniversaries and reunions
- Schools, churches and NGOs: yearbooks, hymn books, workbooks and anthologies for schools and churches
- Government and municipalities: reports, manuals and records printed for departments and state entities
- Designers, agencies and resellers: short run printing and binding for publishers and designers on trade terms
Frequently asked questions
How much does book printing cost in South Africa?
Can I print just a few copies of my book?
Do I need an ISBN to print a book?
What files does a book printer need?
Book Printing by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg