It is perhaps one of the most important choices you make when deciding what your book will look like: the type of cover! Will you go for a sturdier but slightly more expensive hardcover version, or are you considering a more budget-friendly but slightly less durable softcover? Of course, this does not mean that a softcover version isn’t a good choice! We will briefly go through all the pros and cons with you.
Softcover books
Softcover books have a flexible cover. This makes them lighter and easier to handle than hardcover books. The cover paper is single-sided sulfate board, a flexible yet sturdy type of cardboard. Virtually all reading books and theses are produced as softcovers. We also call them ‘paperbacks’ or ‘pockets’.
A soft cover is less labor-intensive to produce than a hard cover. This is immediately reflected in the book printing costs.
Hardcover books
Hardcover books have a hard, protective cover with a core of 2.5 mm thick cardboard. Thanks to this sturdy cover, hardcover books can withstand bumps and are very durable. Hardcover books have a luxurious appearance and are sturdier than softcover books.
As mentioned earlier, printing a hardcover book is somewhat more expensive than the softcover version.
Good to know: both our hardcover and softcover books are always sewn bound instead of glued and finished with matte or gloss laminate.
Choices
We understand that this important consideration can often cause some decision stress! After all, it is quite a significant difference. When faced with this dilemma, carefully consider the type of book you are publishing.
Is it, for example, a novel you are taking on vacation that you want to easily hold in one hand because you have a cocktail in the other? Then go for a softcover version!
If you have opened an art gallery and want to give your (potential) customers an impression of the luxury art items you have to offer, choose a hardcover version.
When choosing between these two variants, there is no right or wrong; it all comes down to budget and taste! Feel free to call, email, or WhatsApp us for advice!
TIP: Are you a fan of hardcover books, but does a softcover fit better within your budget? Then create a “limited edition.” Order the majority of the print run as a softcover, but a relatively smaller print run as a hardcover. That way, your (potential) readers can choose for themselves what they prefer!