Considerations for printing children’s books

Publishing a children’s book is an exciting venture, but it’s important to balance all that creativity with the practicalities of book production. That’s where the expert team at Swallowtail Print can help.

Whether you’re publishing a small anthology of poetry by local schoolchildren, a first story for preschoolers, a chapter book for young readers, or an activity book for children to interact with, we’ve put together some key considerations to keep in mind when preparing your project for printing.

Understanding your audience

Children’s books cater to a wide age range, from infants to pre-teens, and obviously every age group has their own preferences and developmental needs that will influence the design and production of your book. For instance, books for toddlers often feature durable board pages, while books for older children might use high-quality paper to showcase detailed images.

Selecting paper

Your choice of paper will impact the look, feel, and durability of your book. Picture books often use coated paper to make coloured illustrations ‘pop’, while chapter books will use a lighter uncoated or even recycled stock. Consider whether your reader will need to write on the pages (like a puzzle book) or use pens (like a colouring book) and adjust your paper choice to suit; we probably all remember the disappointment of shiny pages that ‘beaded’ our felt-tip ink, or thin uncoated pages that soaked our colouring through to the other side.

Our team are happy to talk through your options and provide samples if needed – please contact us to discuss this in detail.

Prioritising illustrations and colours

Illustrations are an important feature in most children’s books. Bright colours and engaging details capture young readers’ attention and enhance the storytelling experience. For older kids, photographs are a vital part of non-fiction books in particular, helping them to visualise and learn new information. High-quality, full-colour printing will make the most of your images, and by adding page finishes like a gloss or matte lamination you can protect the pages from scuffing.

Including extra functions

Children’s books are often much more ‘hands-on’ than books for adults. Interactive features like pop-ups, cutouts, flaps and spinners are the features that keep younger readers reaching for their favourite books again and again.

Discuss your creative plans with us early to ensure they are feasible and cost-effective, and we’ll do our best to make your wildest ideas come to life.

Binding options

With those hands-on functions in mind, children’s books are often subject to significant wear and tear. Sturdy binding is essential: for board books, hardback (casebound) binding is a durable option; saddle stitching is ideal for short storybooks, while chapter books for pre-teens are likely to be perfect bound.

Considering readability

Typography plays a vital role in the readability of children’s books, and therefore in their enjoyment of them. Imagine a teacher reading the book upside-down on their lap to a carpet of kids, or a preschool child pointing at the letters they’re beginning to recognise.

Use large, clear fonts with plenty of space and good contrast with the background colour, to make text accessible for young readers. Avoid overly decorative serif or ‘handwriting’ style fonts that might distract from the content or be challenging to read.

Budgeting and print runs

The cost of printing children’s books can be high, due to the need for high-quality materials and colour printing. Our friendly team can advise you during the process, to help you find the right balance between quality and cost. Consider the size of your print run carefully too; our minimum order for books is 25 copies, but larger quantities will often reduce the per-unit price.

Final Thoughts

Printing a children’s book is a collaborative process that requires careful planning and attention to detail. By considering the specific needs of your young audience and working closely with an experienced printer to help you navigate the practical specifications, you can create a book that delights and inspires children for years to come.

To discuss the best printing options for your publication, call our sales team at 01603 868862.