⏱️ Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
- Starting Your Book Printing Journey with Images
- What Makes Printing Photos and Illustrations Different?
- Helpful Tips for Printing Your Book with Photos and Illustrations
- A Real-World Example: Jane’s Illustrated Travel Diary
- Wrapping Up: What to Remember When Printing Books with Photos
- Frequently Asked Questions About Printing Books with Photos and Illustrations
Starting Your Book Printing Journey with Images
So, you’ve poured your heart into writing your book, and now you’re ready to include those photos and illustrations that make it pop. We know it can feel a bit overwhelming choosing the right paper, print quality, and layout, especially if this is your first time. But don’t worry — we’ve printed hundreds of books with images across the UK, and we’re here to share what really matters.
What Makes Printing Photos and Illustrations Different?
Unlike plain text books, books with images demand more attention to detail. Photos and illustrations require vibrant colour, sharp resolution, and suitable paper to showcase them properly. The nuances here are more subtle than you might expect. For example, an image that looks brilliant on your computer screen may not translate exactly the same way onto paper, primarily because screens use RGB colour profiles, whereas printers use CMYK. This switch can sometimes dull or shift colours, which is why understanding the technical side is crucial.
- Image resolution: Aim for at least 300 dpi to keep pictures crisp. This means the image needs enough pixels to maintain detail when printed at the size you want. Less than that, and you risk ending up with blurry or pixelated photos.
- Colour format: Use CMYK files rather than RGB, as it’s more print-friendly. Converting images from RGB to CMYK can sometimes cause unexpected colour shifts, so it’s wise to preview your images in CMYK before finalising.
- Paper choice: Glossy or silk-coated papers tend to enhance colours and details better than uncoated stock. Glossy papers give a shiny finish that makes photos pop, but they can produce glare under certain lighting. Silk (or satin) coatings offer a middle ground—less glare but still vibrant colour reproduction.
Helpful Tips for Printing Your Book with Photos and Illustrations
1. Pick the Right Paper Weight and Finish
Paper weight, measured in GSM (grams per square meter), influences how your book feels and looks. For photo-heavy books, 150-170gsm silk or gloss paper is a popular choice. It’s thick enough to prevent show-through—the annoying effect where images or text from the other side bleed through the page—and smooth enough to make images shine without causing glare. Thinner papers might feel flimsy or let colours from the other side interfere, while heavier papers can increase costs and the overall bulk of your book.
2. Consider Binding Options That Suit Your Content
Most illustrated books do well with perfect binding, which gives a polished, professional finish and a nice flat spine that’s easy to print on. However, if your book is relatively thin—say, under 40 pages—or more like a booklet, then stapled (saddle-stitched) or Wiro (spiral) binding might be more appropriate and budget-friendly. Wiro binding also allows the book to lay flat, which some readers appreciate in photo-heavy or workbooks. Each binding choice subtly influences how your book is perceived and handled, so it’s worth considering the reader experience alongside budget.
3. Mind Your Colour Accuracy
Colours can look quite different on screen versus print. Screens emit light and can display a wider range of colours (RGB), whereas print relies on reflected light and the CMYK colour space, which is narrower. This means some neon or very bright colours might not print as vividly as they appear digitally. We strongly recommend ordering a printed proof whenever possible — it’s such a relief to see your images exactly as they will appear in the final book. Skipping this step can lead to costly surprises or disappointment.
4. Layout and Bleed Areas Matter
When designing your book layout, make sure your images extend into the bleed area (usually about 3mm beyond the trim line). This prevents unsightly white borders after trimming. It’s a detail that trips up many first-time authors. If your images stop right at the edge of the page, slight shifts during trimming can leave thin white lines—a small imperfection that’s surprisingly noticeable. Including bleed means your images flow cleanly to the edge, even if the cutting moves a bit.
5. Optimise Your Images Before Uploading
While you want to maintain high image quality, extremely large file sizes can slow down upload times and processing. Compress your images just enough to keep quality high but file size manageable. For instance, saving images as high-quality JPEGs rather than TIFF files can help balance quality and size. Also, double-check that your files are saved in the correct colour profile and resolution before submitting. This upfront care saves headaches later.
A Real-World Example: Jane’s Illustrated Travel Diary
Jane, a local author we worked with recently, wanted to print a travel diary packed with vibrant photos and hand-drawn maps. She chose silk-coated 150gsm paper and perfect binding, which gave her diary a tactile, premium feel without the glare of gloss. We helped her adjust image files for CMYK and set up the bleed correctly. When the proof arrived, Jane was thrilled — the colours were rich and true to her vision, and the pages felt smooth to the touch. A few tweaks to the brightness and contrast were made before final printing. Since then, she’s received dozens of messages from readers who loved the look and feel of her book, especially complimenting how the images seemed to come alive on the page. Jane’s experience is a great reminder that investing time in preparation and proofing truly pays off.
Wrapping Up: What to Remember When Printing Books with Photos
Printing a book with photos and illustrations is definitely a bit more involved than text-only projects, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Choosing the right paper, preparing your images carefully, and checking proofs can make a world of difference. Sometimes the process feels like a balancing act between budget, quality, and timelines, but patience here usually leads to a final product that matches your vision closely. It’s such a relief when you hold the finished book and see your story come alive visually. And honestly, we love these types of projects because they give so much personality and depth to the printed page.
If you’d like advice on printing, we’re always happy to help — free artwork check included.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Printing Books with Photos and Illustrations
How do I choose the best paper for a photo book?
Look for coated papers like silk or gloss around 150-170gsm. These show colours vividly and prevent ink from bleeding through pages. Glossy paper delivers a shiny finish that makes photos pop but can reflect light, while silk-coated offers a softer sheen with less glare, which some readers prefer.
What image resolution should I use for printing?
Images should be at least 300 dpi at the size they will appear in the book. If you stretch or enlarge lower resolution images, they can look pixelated or blurry when printed. It’s best to check image dimensions carefully before inserting them into your layout.
Can I print photos on uncoated paper?
You can, but photos usually appear less vibrant and slightly duller. Uncoated papers absorb more ink, which can cause colours to look muted and images to lose sharpness. Coated papers are generally better for image clarity and colour fidelity.
Why is a printed proof important?
Print proofs let you see how colours and images will look on paper, so you can catch issues before the full run. It’s a worthwhile step to avoid surprises like colour shifts, incorrect cropping, or poor image quality. Approving a proof means you’re confident the final print will meet expectations.
What binding options work best for illustrated books?
Perfect binding is common for thicker books, offering a smooth spine and professional appearance. Thinner books might use stapled (saddle-stitched) or Wiro binding, which are cheaper and allow the book to lay flat. The choice depends on your page count, budget, and the reading experience you want to create.
How do I prepare my images for print?
Convert images to CMYK, ensure proper resolution (300 dpi), and include bleed areas when designing your layout. Compress files moderately to avoid upload problems but keep quality high enough so details remain sharp. Using professional design software can help manage these settings.
Is digital or litho printing better for photo books?
Digital printing suits smaller print runs and quick turnarounds, making it ideal if you only need a handful of copies or want to test the market. Litho printing offers cost benefits and consistent high quality for larger print runs but requires longer setup times. Your choice depends largely on your print volume and budget.
Updated on 14 November 2025
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