Custom Children's Book Printing
We specialize in printing beautiful, engaging, and child-safe books in volume. From sturdy board books for toddlers to vibrant hardcover picture books, we partner with publishers and creators to bring stories to life with exceptional quality and care.
- Child-Safe Materials
- Vibrant, Eco-Friendly Inks
- Global Shipping
Explore Children's Book Types We Print
Hardcover Children's Book
The gold standard for keepsake editions and library collections. Our hardcover children’s books feature durable case binding and high-quality printing, designed to be cherished and read time and time again.
Softcover Children’s Book
A flexible, lightweight, and cost-effective option perfect for activity books, storybooks, and large-scale distribution. Easy for children to handle and carry, ideal for schools and promotional events.
Board book
Engineered for the youngest readers. Our board books are made from thick, sturdy paperboard with rounded corners for safety. They are built to withstand the enthusiastic handling of toddlers and babies.
Saddle Stitch Booklet
An economical choice for shorter stories, coloring books, or promotional booklets (typically under 48 pages). This binding allows the book to lay completely flat, perfect for displaying full-spread illustrations.
Lift-the-Flap Books
Create a fun game of peek-a-boo on every page with our custom lift-the-flap books. Designed to spark curiosity and encourage hands-on learning, we manufacture durable, precisely-cut flaps that reveal hidden surprises.
Sound Books
Engage young readers with custom sound books. We expertly integrate reliable sound modules for push-button audio (e.g., animal sounds, music) and offer compatibility with audio reading pens. A perfect way to add an interactive, multi-sensory dimension to your educational or story books.
Interactive Books
Encourage hands-on exploration with our custom interactive books. We specialize in manufacturing engaging features such as sturdy pull-tabs, diverse touch-and-feel textures, removable sticker sheets, and secure Velcro elements, turning reading into a playful learning adventure.
Don't see what you're looking for?
Our expertise isn’t limited to the options above. We have strong product development capabilities and welcome projects with custom materials, unusual formats, or complex specifications.
Our Commitment to Child Safety & Eco-Friendly Printing
Child-Safe Materials
We exclusively use materials proven to be safe for children. This includes:
- Non-Toxic, Soy-Based Inks: Vibrant, eco-friendly, and free from harmful VOCs and heavy metals.
- Child-Safe Adhesives: All glues used in our binding and assembly processes are non-toxic and low-odor.
- Durable, Safe Lamination: Our lamination films are stable and protective, creating an easy-to-clean surface without harmful chemicals.
Need official certification? We assist in getting your finished book tested here in China by accredited third-party labs.
Certified, Compliant & Verifiable Materials
Our paper and board stock options are carefully selected to meet the highest standards of quality and child safety. We offer:
- FSC-Certified Paper: Sourced from responsibly managed forests to support global sustainability.
- High-Quality Paperboard: For our board books, we use thick, multi-layered paperboard that is durable and free from harmful substances.
- Material Compliance & Reports: Our standard materials are chosen to meet major international regulations like CPSIA (for the U.S.) and EN-71 (for Europe).
Contact us to get the safety reports.
High-Quality Children's Books We've Delivered
See how we’ve helped publishers, authors, and brands create beautiful, safe, and engaging custom children’s books that captivate young readers.
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Building Your Perfect Children's Book
The paper selected for a children’s book is fundamental to its magic. It determines the vibrancy of illustrations, the tactile feel for little hands, and the durability to survive countless story times. We offer a curated selection of high-quality, child-safe papers to bring your story to life beautifully and reliably for your bulk printing project.
Key Considerations for Children's Book Paper:
- Vibrancy & Color Reproduction: How well the paper showcases bright, engaging illustrations.
- Durability & Tear-Resistance: The paper’s ability to withstand repeated handling by children.
- Tactile Feel & Page-Turning Ease: How the paper feels to the touch and how easily small hands can turn the pages.
- Opacity: Minimizing see-through (ghosting) to keep the focus on one spread at a time.
- Safety & Sustainability: Ensuring materials are non-toxic and that eco-friendly options are available.
Popular Paper Types for Children's Books:
| Paper Type | Common GSM Weights | Key Characteristics for Children’s Books | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coated Art Paper (Gloss/Matte) | 128gsm, 157gsm, 200gsm | Excellent for vibrant, sharp color reproduction. The smooth surface makes illustrations pop. Gloss offers a bright, shiny look, while matte provides a premium, non-reflective finish. | The standard choice for picture books (both hardcover and softcover) and storybooks where color is key. |
| Uncoated Offset Paper (Wood-Free) | 100gsm, 120gsm, 140gsm | Natural, matte texture, perfect for drawing or coloring on. Good writability for activity books. Offers a classic, warm feel. | Coloring books, activity books, workbooks, and picture books aiming for a more natural, non-glossy aesthetic. |
| C1S / C2S Paperboard (Cardstock) | 250gsm, 300gsm, 350gsm+ | Thick, sturdy, and durable. C1S (Coated One Side) is great for softcovers where the inside might be used. C2S (Coated Two Sides) offers a premium feel for covers. | Durable softcover children’s books and the primary material for board book construction (mounted layers). |
A Special Note on Board Books:
Our board books are constructed by mounting thick paperboard sheets (typically 350gsm C1S or higher) together to create rigid pages that are safe and nearly indestructible for toddlers. This layering technique ensures maximum durability.
The size and orientation of a children’s book shape how a child holds it, how illustrations unfold, and the overall feel of the story. Below are the three most popular formats to help you find the perfect fit for your vision.
The Three Main Formats - a three-column layout
Square Books
- Best For: Focusing on central characters and objects. The balanced shape is easy for children of all ages to hold and interact with.
- Common Sizes:
- 6″ x 6″ (152 x 152 mm)
- 8″ x 8″ (203 x 203 mm)
- 8.5″ x 8.5″ (216 x 216 mm)
- 10″ x 10″ (254 x 254 mm)
- Ideal Applications: Board books for toddlers, picture books.
Portrait Books (Vertical)
- Best For: Character-driven stories and narratives that follow an upward or downward motion. This is the most traditional book format.
- Common Sizes:
- 5.5″ x 8.5″ (140 x 216 mm)
- 6″ x 9″ (152 x 229 mm)
- 8″ x 10″ (203 x 254 mm)
- 8.5″ x 11″ (216 x 279 mm)
- Ideal Applications: Classic picture books, chapter books for young readers, activity books.
Landscape Books (Horizontal)
- Best For: Showcasing panoramic, full-spread illustrations. It creates a cinematic feel perfect for expansive scenes and journey-based stories.
- Common Sizes:
- 8.5″ x 5.5″ (216 x 140 mm)
- 9″ x 6″ (229 x 152 mm)
- 10″ x 8″ (254 x 203 mm)
- 11″ x 8.5″ (279 x 216 mm)
- Ideal Applications: Visually immersive picture books, books about nature or travel.
Beyond the Standards: Fully Custom Sizes & Shapes
Your story shouldn’t be limited by standard dimensions. We excel at producing fully custom-sized and shaped children’s books. Whether you envision a unique die-cut format that follows a character’s silhouette, an extra-large special edition, or a specific size to match a toy, our specialists are ready to provide expert guidance and make it happen.
Finishing techniques add the final layer of magic and durability to a children’s book. These special touches can make a cover more engaging to see and touch, protect it from frequent handling, and create a memorable tactile experience for young readers. We offer a range of child-safe finishing options to make your book truly stand out.
Popular Finishing Options for Children's Books:
Spot UV / Raised UV: For Tactile Highlights
Make specific parts of your illustration stand out! Spot UV adds a high-gloss finish to selected areas, creating a fun visual and tactile contrast. Raised UV (or 3D UV) adds an even more pronounced texture that children love to touch and explore, perfect for highlighting characters, water droplets, or magical elements.
Foil Stamping: For a Magical Sparkle
Add a touch of magic and sparkle with foil stamping. Perfect for titles, stars, or special details on the cover. We offer a variety of colors, including classic gold and silver, as well as eye-catching holographic (laser) foils that shimmer and change color. A great way to make your book feel like a special treasure.
Die-Cutting: For Fun Shapes & Peek-a-Boo Windows
Create unique shapes for your book cover or specific pages with precision die-cutting. This technique can create peek-a-boo windows that reveal part of the first page, shape a character's silhouette, or add other fun, interactive elements that spark a child's curiosity and imagination.
Glitter Finishing: For Extra Sparkle & Fun
Add a fun, sparkling effect to specific areas of your cover with glitter finishing. This eye-catching technique is always a hit with young readers and is perfect for stories about magic, holidays, or anything that needs an extra touch of enchantment. We use securely applied, child-safe glitter.
Flocking: For a Soft, Fuzzy Texture
Add a unique, soft, and fuzzy texture to parts of your cover with flocking. This process applies short fiber particles to a surface, creating a velvet-like feel. It's excellent for mimicking the feel of an animal's fur or a soft blanket, adding a surprising and delightful sensory element for children.
The right combination of finishes can transform a simple book into an interactive experience. Our team can advise on the best techniques for your specific design, target age group, and bulk order budget, always prioritizing child safety and durability.
Let’s discuss how to add that extra sparkle and fun to your children’s book.
Why Partner with Us for Children's Book Printing
Choosing us means choosing a partner who understands the unique demands of children’s book printing—from safety and durability to vibrant, imaginative storytelling.
01
Consistent High Quality
Benefit from our strict QC process, ensuring every children’s book we produce features vibrant, consistent colors to bring your illustrations to life, and durable, child-safe binding designed to withstand enthusiastic young readers.
02
Clear Communication
Your dedicated project manager understands the specific requirements of children’s book printing, from safety standards to artistic details. We provide clear, proactive communication to ensure your creative vision is perfectly realized.
03
Transparent, Competitive Pricing
As a direct manufacturer specializing in children’s books, we provide detailed, transparent quotes. We’ll help you find cost-effective solutions for your bulk order without ever compromising on child safety or printing quality.
04
Technical & Creative Support
Leverage our technical expertise to bring your most imaginative ideas to life. We can help you implement unique die-cuts, interactive elements like lift-the-flaps, and special finishes like glitter or spot UV to create a truly engaging children’s book.
05
Effortless File Prep
Ensure a smooth start for your children’s book project. We provide specialized guidelines and templates for illustrators and designers, plus a free expert file check to ensure your colorful artwork and layouts are perfectly prepared for print.
06
Tangible Quality Samples
Feel the quality and safety for yourself. Request a sample kit showcasing our child-safe materials, vibrant printing on different paper stocks, and durable binding options to make confident decisions for your children’s book.
07
Reliable Global Shipping
We ship bulk children’s book orders worldwide. Our secure packaging protects your books during transit, and our trusted partners ensure safe, timely delivery to your warehouse or distributor, with full tracking and customs support.
08
Full Compliance & Testing Support
Need official certification? We assist in getting your finished book tested by accredited third-party labs (like SGS, Intertek) to provide the compliance reports required for your target market.
Have a Question?
FAQ
Have specific questions about your children’s books project? If you don’t see your question here, please don’t hesitate to contact our expert team!
What safety standards do your children's books meet?
Safety is our top priority. We use non-toxic, soy-based inks and child-safe materials. Upon request, our products can comply with major international standards like CPSIA (for the U.S.) and EN-71 (for Europe). We also highly recommend safety features like rounded corners.
What is the best binding for a book for toddlers?
The best choice for toddlers is a board book, designed for maximum safety and durability. For slightly older children, a durable hardcover (case-bound) is excellent for keepsakes, while cost-effective options like softcover and saddle-stitched are also great choices.
What is the MOQ for children's book printing?
Our typical MOQ for offset-printed children’s books is 300 copies. This quantity allows you to achieve an excellent unit price. While smaller runs may be possible via digital printing, the per-unit cost will be significantly higher, and prices decrease substantially with larger bulk orders.
Can you print books with rounded corners?
For vibrant, colorful illustrations, we recommend coated art paper (128gsm – 200gsm), in either a gloss or matte finish. The coated surface makes colors appear brighter and details sharper. For coloring or activity books, we suggest uncoated offset paper as it’s better for writing on.
What makes your board books so durable?
Our board books are built for durability. We use thick, multi-layered paperboard that resists bending and tearing, and the pages are typically laminated for protection against spills and for easy cleaning. This robust construction ensures they can withstand enthusiastic use by young children.
Can you help with special features like die-cuts or lift-the-flaps?
Yes, we excel at bringing creative ideas to life. Our technical team can help you implement special features like die-cut shapes, windows, and interactive lift-the-flaps. These are excellent ways to make your children’s book more engaging and stand out. Please share your design concepts with us to discuss the possibilities.
Ready to Bring Your Children's Story to Life?
Let Mainland Printing be your trusted partner for producing high-quality, vibrant, and completely child-safe books.
We offer expert guidance on materials and safety standards, competitive volume pricing, and reliable global delivery to turn your story into a treasured reality.