Professional book printing

Talent like yours
could fill a book

From full-time creatives to side-hustle makers to just-getting-started graduates, Blurb is a valuable resource for creative professionals like you. We’re your place for high-quality bookmaking and professional book printing plus worldwide selling and distribution.
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  • Choose from various professional book formats

    Choose a format

    We have many formats for creative professionals, including trade books that are high quality yet priced to sell, photo books with exceptional color and paper, and magazines for serial content and easy distribution.
  • Choose from professional bookmaking tools

    Select your tool

    Choose from BookWright, our free bookmaking software and tools for all skill levels, or create using Adobe InDesign or Lightroom. You can even upload a PDF and make it into a book.
  • Set up professional books for sale

    Set up for sale

    Print on demand to promote and sell books online in the Blurb Bookstore, on Amazon, and with thousands of online retailers worldwide. We make it easy and affordable to market your work.

Explore our products & formats

  • Recommended icon Photo Books

    Photo Books

    Perfect for portfolios, photography, weddings, and art. Ideal for their exceptional quality and durability.

    • 1 Size
    • 2 Cover
    • 3 Paper

    Your Selection:

    Starts at  for 20 pages. Add  per additional page.

    • Small Square
    • Softcover
    • Standard

    Continue by using our free tool or create and upload your own PDF.
    Create Your Book
    — OR —
    Upload Your PDF
  • Recommended icon Trade Books

    Trade Books

    Ideal for children’s books, cookbooks, novels, and illustrated works for their high quality look and feel at a sellable price.

    • 1 Size
    • 2 Cover
    • 3 Print Options

    Your Selection:

    Starts at  for 24 pages. Add  per additional page.

    • 5×8 IN
    • Softcover
    • Economy B&W

    Continue by using our free tool or create and upload your own PDF.
    Create Your Book
    — OR —
    Upload Your PDF
  • Recommended icon Magazines

    Magazines

    Ideal for serial content, creative one-offs, fanzines, travelogues, and comic zines for their easy distribution and price point.

    • Magazines

    Your Selection:

    Starts at  for 20 pages. Add  per additional page.

    • Premium Magazine

    Continue by using our free tool or create and upload your own PDF.
    Create Your Magazine
    — OR —
    Upload Your PDF

 

 

Why creative pros love us

  • Blurb Bookstore and Amazon logo
    Worldwide distribution
    Create, sell, and distribute at scale through the Blurb Bookstore as well as on Amazon and in over 39,000 stores worldwide through Ingram.
  • Professionally printed books in front of an open shipping box
    Large order discounts
    Enjoy custom discounts on orders of 100+ books books. Our in-house team will help with project management, logistics, and budget.
  • Stack of professionally printed books printed with Print on Demand services
    Print on demand
    All Blurb books are digitally printed as they’re sold, so you can order books in any amount to eliminate upfront expenses.
  • Book pricing calculator
    Pricing calculator
    Get an automatic quote along with any applicable volume discounts on the exact type of book, paper, and cover you want to print.

 

 

Choose how you
want to design

BookWright Logo

BookWright is Blurb’s free bookmaking software, offering versatile and flexible design templates, layout suggestions, image enhancement, and more.

BookWright makes it easy to get started:

  • Bullet 1

    Choose a format

  • Bullet 2

    Select paper and cover options

  • Bullet 3

    Upload photos or content

  • Bullet 4

    Place photos, add type, design your way!


 

 

  • Professional books designed using the Adobe InDesign plug-in
    Adobe InDesign Plug-in
    Create unique, print-ready books, magazines, or wall art as part of your InDesign workflow.
    Download the Plugin
  • Professional book designed using the Lightroom book module
    Adobe Lightroom Book Module
    Already editing photos in Lightroom? Turn your digital galleries into beautifully printed books and magazines.
    Get Started
  • Laptop showing an image of Blurb PDF Uploader
    Blurb PDF Uploader
    Have a PDF that’s ready to publish? Just upload it and get your book printed quickly and easily.
    Upload PDF
  • Laptop showing an image of Blurb BookWright
    BookWright
    Design books and magazines with our free software featuring customizable templates and layout ideas.
    Get BookWright

 

 

 

 

Creator & format spotlight

 

 

Freedom, professionally designed photo book by Analy Diego

Photo Book

Over the Rainbow

by Analy Diego

How she markets her book:
I created it as a keepsake for my collectors. I wanted them to have a deeper understanding of the meaning behind all the pieces. This book allowed me to organize the collection in a way that explained the design process in a simple, yet effective way.

Why she chose print:
I wanted this book to inspire conversation. For example, if one of my collectors has guests over and one of them asks about the piece on display, my collector could easily refer to the book and use it as a "tool" to talk about art.

On the photo book format:
I particularly love the paper quality and how saturated the colors show on the pages. It is absolutely essential for colors to render accurately when printing art. Blurb does just that.

Flavor Creation, 3rd Edition, professionally designed trade book by John Wright

Trade Book

Flavor Creation, 3rd Edition

by John Wright

How he defines his book:
The book is basically an academic textbook, with an intrinsically limited potential market—flavor and fragrance creatives plus some food company technical staff.

How he markets his book:
I write a monthly article for Perfumer and Flavorist magazine and advertise my book in it.

Why Blurb:
The price point for this type of small-scale academic book is high enough to make Blurb printing a practical option. The book will often be in daily use and needs to be well made and sturdy. Because they are aimed at a high-end photographic market, Blurb books are sturdy and high quality, much better than the other options.

Humans After All, professionally designed magazine by Fred Ranger

Magazine

Humans After All

by Fred Ranger

How he distributes his magazine:
I am distributing Humans After All through the Blurb store in print and digital download formats, which makes it easy for me as the printing, payment, and shipping are handled on the Blurb side.

On the magazine format:
I choose the magazine format because it is a good size to display images with the ability to add text for context. Also, the affordable price and overall quality of this format makes it attractive to my audience who wants to get immersed by my work without breaking the bank.

Why Blurb:
A big reason is the fact that Blurb is so well integrated with Adobe Lightroom. It makes it easy to select, process, edit, sequence, layout, and upload a book or a zine without having to deal with any other software. The quality of the product, paired with an easy-to-use client storefront, also make Blurb a wise choice for any visual storyteller.

Instagram Logo

Real #BlurbBooks from creators like you. Share yours.

Professional book called You Can Rest Here Awhile with a staircase leading to the ocean on the cover

@Inknbluejeansdesign

Professional travel photo book called Travels Far & Wide with two people on the cover riding camels in Egypt

@katelynnbucci

Person holding a bouquet of flowers

@yesdeerstudio

Professionally designed magazine opened up to show two people, one working out at the gym and another showing off tattoos

@tomislavmarcijus

Ready to make your book?

 

Get Started

Better than a business card

Blurb’s new 5x5 format, the Mini Square, is affordable enough to mail to the masses and makes a memorable leave-behind.
Make some













  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best format for my work?
    What design programs and plugins are available for me to use?
    Can I sell and distribute my book with Blurb?
    Does Blurb have print-on-demand services?
    Does Blurb have a pricing calculator?
    Does Blurb offer discounts for large orders?
    How profitable is self-publishing?
    How much money is needed to self-publish a book?
    How much does a creator make on a self-published book?

    What is the best format for my work?

    The best format for your printed book depends on its content and your specific needs and preferences. If your work is primarily visual, a layflat book with ImageWrap hardcover will seamlessly showcase your photographs or designs across a spread. Photo books are also museum quality and printed on top-tier paper with picture-perfect accuracy. If you have a text-heavy book or want to sell your work, trade books are a great choice. Trade books are cost-effective for high margins while still offering bookstore quality.

    Other format considerations to remember include:

    • Trim size: Choose a trim size that suits your book's content and genre. Common trim sizes for printed books include 5"x8", 7"x7", 6"x9", 8"x10", 10"x8", and 13"x11". Consider the readability and aesthetics of your book when selecting the trim size.
    • Margins and layout: Set appropriate margins to ensure the content is well-positioned and not cut off during printing. For text-heavy books, prioritize readability and layout consistency.
    • Fonts: Use a standard font like Baskerville, Garamond, and Times New Roman in size 12-point for easy readability. Avoid using fancy or decorative fonts that may distract readers.
    • Page numbers, headers, and footers: Include page numbers for easy navigation. Consider adding headers and footers with relevant information such as book titles, chapter titles, or author names.
    While content is king in determining the best format for your work, these additional considerations can help you choose the perfect trim size and printing options.

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    What design programs and plugins are available for me to use?

    When you use Blurb as your primary resource for self-publishing, you can choose from various design programs and plugins, including:

    • BookWright: Blurb's free and easy-to-use design tool offers complete creative control when making your book. Start with a customizable template or design your own layouts from scratch.
    • Adobe InDesign Plugin: If you already know Adobe InDesign, there’s no reason to learn a new tool. This plugin lets you craft unique, print-ready photo books, magazines, trade books, or wall art and easily print it on demand.
    • Adobe Lightroom Book Module: Already editing photos in Lightroom? You can transform your digital content into captivating printed books.
    • Adobe Photoshop Wall Art Plugin: Turn your visual work created in Adobe Photoshop into stunning wall art.
    Another helpful resource that creative professionals find useful is our PDF to Book Uploader tool. Upload your content in PDF form and seamlessly turn it into a book.

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    Can I sell and distribute my book with Blurb?

    Yes, Blurb is a trusted platform for self-published creators to sell and distribute their books online, including selling through their own storefront, Amazon, and other distribution channels.

    You can set up a personal storefront on Blurb's Bookstore, and Blurb will handle all shipping and fulfillment for both volume printing and print-on-demand. You can also use Blurb to sell and distribute copies of your book through Amazon and use Ingram's worldwide distribution to over 39,000 stores.

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    Does Blurb have print-on-demand services?

    Yes, Blurb offers print-on-demand services, a popular option for self-published authors and creative professionals. Print-on-demand eliminates bulk orders, upfront costs, and storage issues. Your book is printed on-demand as your customers order them, allowing for minimal overhead costs and immediate profit on every order.

    With print-on-demand, Blurb produces professional-quality products that leverage the latest digital print technologies and high-quality paper and binding materials. And when you sell and distribute your book through Blurb, we handle shipping and fulfillment.

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    Does Blurb have a pricing calculator?

    Yes, Blurb offers a pricing calculator to estimate the single copy price of your book based on its paper type, page count, and cover type. As a helpful resource for self-published creators aiming to monetize their work, the pricing calculator assesses the costs to print books in different formats and determines an appropriate markup based on your desired margin.

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    Does Blurb offer discounts for large orders?

    Yes, you can take advantage of volume discounts if you print books in bulk quantities. Volume discounts only apply to Blurb's base price and are automatically applied to single orders with ten or more photo books or trade books. You can't combine volume discounts with promo codes. If you have a promo code that offers a better discount than the volume order, enter the promo code instead.

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    How profitable is self-publishing?

    Self-publishing a book can be profitable, but the level of profitability can vary widely depending on various factors. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

    • Royalty rates: Self-published creators can generally expect higher royalty rates than those working with a traditional publishing house.
    • Creative control and ownership: Self-publishing gives creators more control over their work and allows them to retain a larger portion of the profits.
    • Marketing and reach: Self-published creators must handle their own marketing and promotion. Without the support of a dedicated marketing team and the resources of a traditional publisher, self-published books may have a smaller reach.
    • Upfront costs: Self-publishing typically requires creators to cover upfront costs like editing, design, printing, and marketing. It's important to carefully consider these costs and factor them into the potential profitability.
    • Credibility and legitimacy: Having a book published by a traditional publishing house may make it easier to attract readers and generate sales. However, self-published creators can still build successful careers and earn profits through effective marketing and promotion.
    Another helpful resource that creative professionals find useful is our PDF to Book Uploader tool. Upload your content in PDF form and seamlessly turn it into a book.

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    How much money is needed to self-publish a book?

    The upfront cost of self-publishing a book depends on a wide range of factors, like the quality and format of the book, word count and page count, marketing strategy, and editing and proofreading costs. Some creators invest tens of thousands of dollars in publishing their books, while others can self-publish a book for less than a hundred dollars.

    According to data by Reedsy, publishing a book costs self-published creators between $500 and $4,800. But given the myriad of factors, it's important to consider the unique aspects that shape your project's final outcome. Learn more about the cost to self-publish a book to get an idea of how much money will be required to bring your project to life.

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    How much does a creator make on a self-published book?

    The earnings of self-published creators can vary greatly depending on book sales, royalties, genre, and marketing strategies. Data from WordsRated shares insights about the profitability of self-publishing:

    • Self-publishing platforms generally pay creators about 70% of each book sold.
    • Independent creators who sell their books on their own websites can receive up to 96% of the book's price.
    • The average self-published book sells for $4.16.
    • On average, self-published creators generate about $1,000 annually in income from their books, but 33% of creators make less than $500 annually.
    • Nine out of ten self-published books sell fewer than 100 copies.
    • Only 1,000 self-published creators generated over $100,000 in sales from Amazon in 2022.
    A survey from the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) found that the average income for self-published authors rose 53% in 2022 compared to 2021, reaching a median of $12,749.

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  • Resources

    Resources


    Bookmaking


    Self-publishing
    Marketing

  • As a trusted self-publishing platform for countless creative professionals, Blurb is committed to providing helpful resources for self-published authors and guiding them on the path to success. Whether your creative work is full-time or as a side hustle, the possibility to print and sell your own book opens a world of opportunity.

    The process of self-publishing your book can be exciting and rewarding, but it helps to have the right set of tools and resources to bring everything to fruition. Successfully monetizing your book starts well before it’s printed; that is, knowing the proper format, printing options, pricing, and marketing mix for your book.


    Exploring book formats: a world of possibilities

    When it comes to self-publishing, choosing a book format is crucial to bringing your vision to life. Here are some popular formats to consider:

    • Photo Books: Captivate your audience with stunning visual storytelling. Photo books allow you to showcase your photography skills, share memories, or display your artwork in a tangible format. Choose from various sizes, cover options, and paper types to create a truly unique and immersive experience.
    • Trade Books: Versatile and adaptable, trade books suit a wide range of genres and content types. Whether you publish a novel, memoir, or non-fiction work, trade books offer flexibility and affordability. Consider factors such as paper quality, binding options, and trim size to find the perfect fit for your project.
    • Magazines: Dive into the world of magazine publishing and deliver captivating content to your readers. Magazines are ideal for showcasing articles, visual art, photography, and more. With options for glossy or matte finishes and various sizes, you can create a polished and professional publication.
    • Digital: Leverage the digital era by creating easily-accessible PDF versions of your books. PDFs are perfect for eBooks, digital portfolios, or distributing content online. Maintain the integrity of your design while reaching a global audience through digital channels.


    The rewarding benefits of self-publishing

    Self-publishing inherently holds many benefits over traditional models. And with advancements in printing technology and bookmaking software, it's only becoming increasingly professional and profitable. When you choose Blurb as your printing service, you leverage several advantages:


    Worldwide distribution
    Reach a global audience with ease. Blurb provides robust distribution options that enable you to sell your books through major online marketplaces such as Amazon, Apple iBooks, and more. Expand your reach and connect with readers from around the world, ensuring your creative vision resonates far and wide.


    Print-on-demand
    Say goodbye to inventory management and massive upfront costs. With Blurb's print-on-demand service, you can order books as and when you need them. No more worrying about storage space or financial risks associated with large print runs. Print-on-demand ensures your books are always available to fulfill orders, whether a single copy or a thousand.


    Creative control and autonomy
    Self-publishing allows authors to have complete autonomy over the publishing process and take ownership of creative decisions regarding the book's content, cover design, formatting, and overall presentation.


    Ownership and royalties
    As a self-published author, you retain full ownership of your work and enjoy higher royalty rates than traditional publishing models. While you have to foot more upfront costs, this ultimately means greater control over your profits and earnings potential.


    Discounts on volume orders
    We understand the importance of cost-efficiency for creative professionals. That's why Blurb offers generous discounts on bulk orders, empowering you to print your books at affordable rates without compromising quality. Enjoy significant savings as you invest in large-quantity print runs, making your self-publishing journey even more rewarding.


    Harnessing the power of BookWright: amplifying your creative process

    Blurb offers a powerful software tool called BookWright that helps launch creators in designing and assembling their books. BookWright simplifies the book design process, providing a user-friendly platform to bring your creative vision to life.

    BookWright features a simple and intuitive interface that allows you to effortlessly arrange images, text, and other design elements. You can utilize a wide range of templates or create your own visually striking layouts.

    BookWright empowers you to craft a book that perfectly aligns with your creative vision and integrates seamlessly with your existing creative workflow. But if you're also keen on popular design software like Adobe InDesign and Adobe Lightroom, you can tap into these tools with Blurb.

    To explore the possibilities of working with Blurb, get started with your project.