From
£110
Hardback Book Printing
When you order your hardback book from Catford Print you will get:
- Wire Bound Copy For Proof Reading
- Sample Bound Copy
- Stiff Board Cover, Printed in Full Colour and Laminated
- Full Colour or Black Digital Print on inside pages
- Square Hardback Binding
- White End Papers (unprinted)
- Free Delivery (to most UK mainland addresses)
- Discount if you can collect
- Printing direct from your print-ready PDF
- 36 month storage of your file in case of reprints. Longer by arrangement.
- Free, helpful telephone or email advice
Instant quote
Happy with the price? How to order
Send us your file as an email attachment:
EmailFile too big for email? Upload your file to our website
UploadVery large files of more than 50mb need to be sent to us by a file transfer service such as WeTransfer which is free to the occasional user.
WeTransferGive us some some brief details of your requirements. There is no need to pay on line now. When we receive it, we’ll get back to you with a firm price and we can discuss payment options and deposits etc. at this point.
Need help?
Self publishing a book can feel like a complicated process. Give us a call and let us guide you through.
Getting it right - The proofing process
Catford Print go the extra mile to ensure that you get your hardback book printed perfectly. We have devised a system to ensure you get the hardback book you want first time.
1 - The wire bound proof
We strongly suggest you have a wire bound proof printed for an extra £15. This copy is ideal for proof reading. Changes (spelling, formatting etc) can be made by you at this stage for no additional charge. Once you are happy with the wire bound proof we will then supply you with the bound hardback sample.
2 - The bound hardback sample
The total price includes an un-laminated but bound hardback sample copy. This allows you to see exactly how your final book will look and feel. Any changes at this stage (no matter how small) will incur a re-setup fee of £60.
We do not recommend this but...
if you are happy that there are not going to be any changes and wish to proceed direct to the bound hardback sample then deselect the option for the wire bound proof.
Choosing your paper
80gsm Matt Bond
Very similar to standard copy paper and is the most popular choice.
100gsm Matt Bond
Often chosen for thinner books to bulk them out a bit and also to minimise show through.
120gsm Matt Bond
For those who need a quality feel to their job but need to keep costs down.
85gsm Milk
Quality off-white book wove paper and popular amongst publishers.
100gsm Edizioni
A textured cream paper and is the closest we can to get simulating those rough linen papers used in the 16th & 17th centuries. Choose this for a real Olde Worlde feel to your book.
130gsm Gloss Art
Standard for our full colour books as it lends itself better to photo reproduction but you can also choose this for black & white ones as well.
130gsm Silk Art
The same as the Gloss Art but less shiny.
90gsm Design Pro
A smooth calendared paper which fits somewhere between a matt bond finish and a silk art one. Lightweight and popular for books containing colour photos.
Request a sample paper pack
Your questions answered
How do I layout my cover?
If you compare a hardback book to a paperback, you will notice that the cover on a hardback book is bigger than the insides. Therefore hardback book covers need to be designed with this in mind and both the front and back covers need to be 6mm wider and 6mm taller than the inside pages
The spine of a hardback book should be 6mm taller than the inner pages. Best designs incorporate an overall wrap around image. If you produce the spine in a different colour or a solid block of colour, it is likely that some of the colour will be visible on the front or the back cover.
Once you input the correct number of pages and your chosen paper for the insides into the calculator above, it will work out the spine width for you. The entire wrap around cover will need 10mm bleed all around the edge to allow for it to disappear seamlessly underneath the end papers.
We will happily supply you with a diagram showing the correct dimensions including bleed, safe areas and spine width etc. Just get in touch and we will ask all the questions we need.
As an alternative it may well be possible for us to layout your cover for you for a minimal charge starting at £30. Not to be confused with a layout service, we can also offer a basic design service as well.
Will I have to pay VAT?
Novels are often zero rated but other books may not be. Please seek our advice if this could affect you.
Can you print from a Microsoft Word file?
We can often work from a correctly laid out PC Word file at no extra cost. If you use other software, call us to discuss
I don't have a PDF or a Microsoft Word file. Can you still print my book?
If you have used different software to write your book or even have a hard copy we can normally accomodate. Phone us for a chat and a quote.
What happens if I find a mistake in my book?
We strongly suggest you have a wire bound proof printed for just £15 extra. This gives you an opportunity to proof read your book, cover to cover, and any mistakes found at this stage should be corrected by you and a new file submitted.
What size margins do I need for my text pages?
We suggest you leave 18mm on the binding edge and 12mm on the other 3 edges. You can leave more if you wish but these are the minimums we recommend.
Can I see a sample copy of my book before it is printed in full?
Yes, the price includes a sample bound, but unlaminated copy
Can I reprint my book after the first edition?
We store your files for a minimum of 36 months after printing or reprinting your title (longer by arrangement).
Do you offer other types of bound books?
Yes, we also offer Paperback books, Wirebound Books and Comb Bound Books.
I need a bar code on my book. Can you help?
Yes, for just £25 extra we can supply and position a 100% black vector based bar code. We recommend this over a pixel based RGB one which may not prove readable. Please leave a white box of 35 x 28mm.
I need an ISBN number. Can you help?
An ISBN costs £89 + VAT for 1 number or £159.00 + VAT a block of 10 so if you plan to issue more than 1 book it is worth buying the block. They are obtainable in the UK through Nielsen. You can purchase them here
Other countries have different arrangements and you can find out more here