Book printing prices at Print Lion depend on six things: the size of the book, the number of pages, black and white or colour, the paper, the binding, and how many copies you order. Use the calculator below to price your own book, then read the guide underneath to see how each choice changes the cost.
How book printing prices are worked out
The price of an order is made up of three parts. The inside pages are priced at our bulk printing rates, which fall as the total number of pages grows. The cover is charged per book. The binding is charged per book, with a minimum for each order. The calculator adds the three together and shows the total and the price per book. All prices are in Ksh and include VAT.
Books are printed double-sided, and page counts round up to a multiple of 4 because pages are printed in sets. A 98-page book is priced as 100 pages.
Book sizes
| Size | Dimensions | Pages per A4 sheet side |
|---|---|---|
| A6 | 105 x 148 mm | 4 |
| A5 | 148 x 210 mm | 2 |
| B5 | 176 x 250 mm | 1, priced like A4 |
| A4 | 210 x 297 mm | 1 |
Smaller books fit more pages on each sheet, so an A5 book costs less to print than an A4 book with the same page count. You can also enter a custom size up to A4. For anything larger, send us a message on WhatsApp.
Binding options and what they cost
| Binding | Cover and binding charge | Page range | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saddle-stitched (stapled) | Cover Ksh 30 (A6), Ksh 40 (A5), Ksh 60 (A4 or B5), plus Ksh 10 binding per book. Binding minimum Ksh 500. | Up to 120 pages | Diaries, programmes and booklets |
| Perfect bound | Card cover Ksh 40 (A6), Ksh 60 (A5), Ksh 80 (A4 or B5), plus Ksh 30 binding per book. Binding minimum Ksh 2,000. | From 80 pages | Novels, memoirs and manuals with a glued spine |
| Thread-sewn perfect bound | Same as perfect bound, plus Ksh 20 per 32-page set for sewing. | From 80 pages | Books that will be handled often |
| Softcover spiral O-wire | Card cover Ksh 40 (A6), Ksh 60 (A5), Ksh 100 (A4 or B5). Cover minimum Ksh 1,000. | Any length | Notebooks, workbooks and planners that open flat |
| Hardcover spiral O-wire | Rigid cover Ksh 150 (A6), Ksh 200 (A5), Ksh 300 (A4 or B5). Cover minimum Ksh 2,000. | Any length | Planners and manuals that open flat |
| Hard case cover | Rigid cover Ksh 200 per book, plus thread sewing at Ksh 20 per 32-page set. Cover minimum Ksh 2,000. | From 80 pages | Memoirs, photo books and keepsakes |
The minimums apply to the whole order, so very short runs cost more per book than larger ones. Spine width on perfect bound books depends on your page count and paper, and we confirm it with you before printing.
Paper options
| Paper | Added to each printed page |
|---|---|
| White 80gsm | No extra charge |
| White 100gsm | Ksh 0.50 |
| Cream 80gsm | Ksh 0.60 |
Cream paper is a popular choice for novels and memoirs. White 100gsm suits colour pages and photographs.
Example book printing prices
| Book | Copies | Total | Per book |
|---|---|---|---|
| School diary: A5, 48 pages, black and white, white 80gsm, saddle-stitched | 100 | Ksh 9,813 | Ksh 98 |
| Event programme: A5, 16 pages, colour, white 100gsm, saddle-stitched | 100 | Ksh 8,600 | Ksh 86 |
| Company profile: A4, 24 pages, colour, white 100gsm, saddle-stitched | 50 | Ksh 8,900 | Ksh 178 |
| Paperback: A5, 200 pages, black and white, cream 80gsm, perfect bound | 100 | Ksh 35,000 | Ksh 350 |
| Paperback: A5, 200 pages, black and white, white 80gsm, perfect bound | 100 | Ksh 29,000 | Ksh 290 |
| Workbook: A4, 100 pages, black and white, white 80gsm, softcover spiral O-wire | 50 | Ksh 15,000 | Ksh 300 |
Your own price shows in the calculator as you change the options.
How to lower your cost per book
- Order more copies. The inside pages get cheaper per page as the total grows, and the binding and cover minimums are spread across more books. A 200-page A5 paperback costs Ksh 300 a book at 50 copies and Ksh 290 at 100.
- Choose black and white inside pages. Colour costs more per page, so keep colour for books that need it.
- Pick a smaller size. An A5 book uses half the printed area of an A4 book with the same pages.
- Use standard paper. White 80gsm adds no extra charge.
- Match the binding to the book. Saddle stitching suits shorter booklets and costs less than a glued spine.
Who orders books from us
Authors and self-publishers print novels, memoirs, and poetry collections. Schools order diaries, workbooks, and magazines. Churches and organisations print programmes and reports, and companies order profiles and manuals. If you have a particular size or finish in mind, tell us and we will advise.
Turnaround
The calculator shows a turnaround of 1 to 3 days for all bindings. Send your print-ready file, and we confirm the price and the date before we start.
How to order
- Choose your size, pages, colour, paper, binding and copies in the calculator.
- Press the WhatsApp button to send us the quote, then attach your file.
- We confirm the price, the spine width if your book is perfect bound, and the date.
- We print and bind your books.
Our shop is on the 2nd Floor, Tumaini House, Moi Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya. We deliver to all counties in Kenya.
Book printing price FAQ
How much does it cost to print a book in Kenya?
It depends on size, pages, colour, binding and copies. For example, 100 copies of a 200-page A5 black and white paperback on white 80gsm paper cost Ksh 29,000, which is Ksh 290 a book. Use the calculator to price your own book.
Is there a minimum order?
Inside pages have a Ksh 200 minimum charge. Each binding also has a minimum for the whole order, for example Ksh 500 for saddle stitching and Ksh 2,000 for perfect binding. We accept small runs, but the minimums make the price per book higher on very short runs.
What is the difference between perfect binding and saddle stitching?
Perfect binding glues the pages to a spine and suits books of 80 pages or more. Saddle stitching staples the pages through the fold and suits booklets of up to 120 pages.
Which binding lies flat when open?
Spiral O-wire binding, in softcover or hardcover. It suits notebooks, workbooks, planners and manuals.
What does thread sewing add?
The pages are sewn in groups before gluing, so the book holds up under heavy use. It is charged at Ksh 20 per 32-page set per book.
Why do page counts round up to a multiple of 4?
Book pages are printed in sets, so the count always rounds up to the next multiple of 4. A 98-page book is priced as 100 pages.
Do prices include VAT?
Yes. All book printing prices in the calculator include VAT.
Do you deliver?
Yes. We deliver to all counties in Kenya.