How to print a children's picture book, from story to finished copies

A picture book might be the most joyful thing anyone ever prints. It is the book a child carries to bed, asks for again and again, and one day reads to their own kids. If you have a story and the pictures to go with it, you are closer to holding it than you think. Here is the whole path, from manuscript to a box of finished books.

1. Shape the story for the page

Picture books are short, and every word earns its place. Many run between 500 and 1,000 words, and some use far fewer. Read your story out loud. Picture books are read aloud by grown ups, so rhythm and repetition matter as much as plot.

Then break the story into page turns. A page turn is a little moment of suspense: what happens next? Plan where each one falls, and which moments deserve a full two-page spread.

2. Plan your page count

Most traditionally published picture books are 32 pages, and that is a good place to start. It is enough room for the title page, the copyright page, a dedication and about 14 spreads of story. Some books are 24 or 40 pages.

Bound books are printed on large sheets that are folded, so the total page count lands on a set multiple. Every page counts, including blank pages and the ones before the story starts. Sketch a simple page map, one small box per page, before anyone paints a single picture.

3. Illustrate at print size

Whether you illustrate the book yourself or work with an illustrator, decide the book's size and shape first. Art made for the wrong shape has to be cropped or stretched, and that rarely ends well.

• Size and shape. Our picture books are 10 x 8 inch landscape hardcovers, a wide shape that gives scenes room to breathe. Other sizes can be quoted by hand.
• Resolution. Aim for 300 pixels per inch at the printed size. For a full 10 x 8 page with bleed, that is about 3,075 x 2,475 pixels. The 300 DPI guide explains the math.
• Bleed. Art that touches the edge should run 0.125 inch past it on every side.
• The gutter. Keep faces and words away from the center of a spread, where the pages meet at the spine.

If you hire an illustrator, agree in writing on the size, the number of illustrations, the deadline and who owns the rights to the art.

4. Lay out the pages

Put the words and pictures together in a layout app such as Adobe InDesign, Affinity Publisher or Canva. Keep text inside the safe area, at least 0.25 inch from the trim, and choose a clear font at a size a parent can read in dim bedtime light.

Our landscape picture book guide walks through the exact setup: page size, spreads, page order and how to upload your files.

5. Design the cover last

The cover is one wide file: the back, the spine and the front, side by side. Its width depends on your page count, so finish the inside first. A hardcover case wrap also needs extra art that folds around the boards. Download the free cover template for your exact book and build on it.

6. Choose how it is made

Picture books are made to be handled by small hands, so they are worth building well.

• Hardcover. Our picture books are hardcovers with a printed case: art printed on paper and wrapped around sturdy board, with a matte finish.
• Paper. The inside pages are 157gsm matte art paper, heavy enough for rich color without glare.
• Full color on every page.

Not sure how it will feel? A sample pack puts real printed books and finishes in your hands.

7. Decide how many copies

Think about where your books will go: a launch party, school visits, story times at the library, gifts for family and friends, and copies to sell at events. Our guide to how many author copies to order helps you add it up. Larger runs lower the cost per book, so it is worth counting carefully.

8. Plan your print date

Standard printing typically takes 60 to 90 days from approval to delivery. Count backward from the day you want books in hand, and leave time for your quote, your proof and a little breathing room. Short on time? See standard or short run.

9. Upload, proof and print

When your files are ready, start your picture book. We check every page the moment you upload and explain anything that needs a fix in plain words. Then you flip through a free digital proof of every page and your cover, and a real person prices your book: one all in price with shipping included.

Somewhere there is a child who is going to love your book. Let's get it into their hands.