Custom On-Demand Book Printing Options for a Premium Finish

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The early days of on-demand book printing were hit or miss: thin paper, washed-out covers, books that were “books” in the simplest possible way. They looked DIY because they were, but they certainly weren’t made to impress.

Thankfully, modern technology has caught up and custom on-demand book printing can now produce books that look and feel professional, prestigious, and substantial.

But not all Print On Demand (POD) options are created equal. It’s a sad but true fact that many POD publishers will cut corners wherever possible. That’s where this article comes in. You see, the difference between a book that feels like it was printed on your grandma’s laser printer and a book that feels collectible and coffee table-worthy comes down to a handful of quiet but deliberate decisions:

• Paper stock
• Trim size
• Binding
• Finishes

Let’s take a closer look at how to use on-demand printing to create a premium finish that doesn’t waste money or lock you into a cumbersome printing setup. Pair your premium interior with professional custom book covers— the first thing readers see and the single biggest factor in purchase decisions. Here’s what you should know.

What exactly does “on-demand printing” mean?

On-demand printing, also known as POD or Print On Demand, means that your book is only printed when an order is placed. Before you print, make sure your interior book formatting is optimized for your chosen trim size — margins, gutters, and font sizes all need to match your specifications. There’s no huge upfront print run, no warehouse full of boxes, and no guesswork when it comes to knowing how many copies you’ll need. Long gone are the days when POD meant books that “looked cheap” or didn’t come with much customization. Today’s POD is virtually limitless when it comes to design and potential.

Why premium finishes matter more with on-demand printing

When your book is printed one copy at a time, every copy becomes the product itself. There’s no “we’ll fix it in the next run” and no “bulk discount” to hide behind. There’s no chance to quietly correct mistakes before shipping off thousands of copies. That means everything matters more: paper choice, cover finish, binding durability, and even file setup.

Premium finishes don’t just make your book look prettier. They also increase your perceived authority and credibility, increase the odds of your book being given as a gift, enhance word of mouth, and boost your customers’ willingness to pay full price. Who knew that a simple finish could do all that?

Now let’s break down each of the different options so you’ll know what they are and how they’re handled when it comes to custom on-demand book printing.

Trim size: how your book feels

Readers have specific expectations when it comes to your book. The dimensions subconsciously communicate everything from genre to production value. Thankfully, BookBaby offers a number of standard POD book trim size options to choose from.

When chosen well, a trim size can make a modest-length book feel more polished and substantial instead of a throwaway paperback you’d read in a weekend. The right trim size can also keep a longer book from feeling bulky and awkward in hand.

Paper stock: where choice matters

We offer a number of different types of paper stock, but keep in mind that premium books aren’t always necessarily printed on thicker paper. Instead, they’re printed on paper that’s appropriate for the type of content. For example, white paper is crisp, modern, and high contrast. It works best for visually heavy books and instruction manuals.

Cream paper, on the other hand, is softer on the eyes. It’s more commonly associated with fiction, memoirs, and narrative nonfiction books. It feels warmer and more “bookish.”

Binding types: built-in durability that lasts

BookBaby offers perfect binding for paperback books, which is the standard for Print On Demand, and works well with most nonfiction and fiction titles. When we bind your books, it’s important to make sure that the file we receive has a clean spine alignment, proper gutter margins in the interior, and is ready to print flawlessly. We’ve prepared a guide to help you make that happen, even if you aren’t a printing pro!

Cover finishes: your visible premium signal

If there’s one book printing option where “premium” is instantly noticed, it’s the cover finish. We offer both matte and gloss, and each one conveys a different tactile feel and visual effect.

Gloss laminate

• Vibrant colors ‘pop” more
• High contrast
• More resistant to fingerprints
• Most common in commercial paperbacks

Matte laminate

• A softer, more modern look
• Less glare
• Associated with higher-end nonfiction and literary titles
• Design-forward

Should you choose color or black-and-white interiors?

This is a common question we receive from first-time authors looking into custom on-demand book printing options. Color interiors can take your book to the next level, but only when it serves the content. We offer both black-and-white and color interior printing, so that you can match your production choice to the purpose of your book.

We recommend color when sharing diagrams or visuals, when branding matters, or if the book is instructional or educational, and the price point supports it. Black-and-white, when designed well, can look and feel refined, especially for more text-heavy nonfiction and memoirs. When you use color deliberately, it gives a touch of sophistication without going overboard.

Premium finishes for custom on-demand book printing

More than anything, premium finishes are centered around making thoughtful choices. That’s why, through every stage of on-demand book printing, BookBaby is here to help you:

• Select a trim size that fits your content
• Choose paper that’s easy on the eyes and looks professional
• Pick binding that holds up to real-world use
• Choose cover finishes that blend with your book’s purpose
• Prepare your files to print flawlessly

That’s why everything we do at BookBaby is focused on giving your book the premium care and treatment it deserves. You want your book to feel credible and worth keeping, and we’re here to make it happen.

Conclusion

Modern on-demand book printing can produce high-quality, professional books when the right choices are made. Trim size, paper stock, binding, cover finish, and interior color all affect how premium a book feels. Thoughtful decisions and proper file setup help on-demand books look polished, credible, and worth keeping, without requiring large print runs or upfront inventory.

Start your journey by getting a free quote on our website at BookBaby.com.