Board books have been very popular among parents, educators, and publishers for years. Their durability, ease of use, and appealing form make them essential to children’s libraries. Our digital printing house, Books Factory, specialises in producing board books with soft and hard covers.
What are board books, and why are they worth printing?
Board books are a special type of publication designed with the youngest readers in mind. They are made of thick, stiff pages called spreads, which are made from 350 gsm cardboard and glued together, resulting in a page thickness of about 1.2 mm. This construction increases resistance to damage – the books can be bent, dropped, or chewed on, and remain in excellent condition.
Thanks to the layflat construction, board books open completely flat, which is extremely important for publications with many illustrations and photos. Graphics and text placed across adjoining pages form a cohesive whole without visual loss caused by the spine. This significantly enhances the aesthetic value and readability of the material.
Board books – best for little hands
Board books for the youngest are designed with ease of use in mind. Their format is adapted to small hands, and the stiff pages are comfortable to turn. This allows children to browse them independently at any age, without fear of damaging delicate paper pages. An additional advantage of board books is the possibility of applying a wide range of refinements, including gloss or matt lamination finish, spot UV varnish, and edge printing, all of which enhance the book’s visual appeal and overall durability.
What does the board book printing process look like, step by step?
Professional printing of board books for children requires a specialised approach. At Books Factory, we focus on precision and quality at every production stage. High-quality colour printing ensures vivid and lasting colours essential for educational and picture books. During post-press processing, we use creasing and folding techniques on the spreads, which are then glued in pairs – this is how the finished pages are created. The result is a durable, visually appealing, and functional book.
The entire process of printing board books for the youngest also considers the technical requirements related to file preparation on the publisher’s side. Therefore, please ensure that the files you send include proper bleeds (technical margins intended for trimming) and an even number of spreads. Accuracy in file preparation directly affects production time and the final visual result.
Board books as educational tools
The educational aspect should not be overlooked. Printing educational books for children on board is an excellent way to convey knowledge from an early age. Colourful illustrations, legible fonts, and safe design allow the creation of books that teach through play. Board books are perfect as sensory books, picture dictionaries, stories with large illustrations, books for learning colours, numbers, and letters, and interactive stories with die-cut windows or movable elements. They stimulate curiosity and support the child’s cognitive development.
How do you order board books from Books Factory?
Our digital book printing house offers full support in the book printing, from file preparation to production and delivery of finished copies. On our website, you’ll find an intuitive calculator that lets you choose the appropriate format, number of spreadsheets, and finishing options. You can also use a convenient cover template generator to speed up your designer’s work significantly. Each project can be tailored to individual needs regarding aesthetics and expected functionality.
Preparing files for print
Remember that the book block must be prepared as a PDF file, following the rule that one file page equals two pages in the book. The file must include at least 2 mm bleeds, but the spreads should not have bleeds on the spine side (inner side), as this part will be glued. Available closed formats range from 105 x 145 mm to 297 x 297 mm and can be ordered in portrait and landscape orientations.
Why choose Books Factory?
As an experienced book printer, we offer comprehensive project support, flexible lead times, and the ability to order just one copy. We also provide a proof print, allowing you to evaluate the quality before ordering the entire run. We can carry out even the most demanding children’s book projects thanks to innovative technological solutions.
Board books offer young readers durability, aesthetics, safety, and convenience. This publication type is an excellent investment in a child’s development, thanks to carefully selected materials and printing technologies. If you plan to publish a book for the youngest readers, choose quality, functionality, and experience. Pick board book printing with Books Factory and watch your vision come to life!
Want to see it for yourself? Order a free Sample Book package!