Pocket Book Printing

Pocket Book Printing in the UK

Sometimes the best things really do come in small packages. Our pocket book printing service at Pixartprinting is designed for anyone who needs an affordable, practical and portable publication that's as easy to carry as it is to read. Whether you're self-publishing a work of fiction, producing a compact company guide or creating a handy reference manual, our small book printing service gives you the quality and flexibility you need — from just one single copy, with free delivery, always.

With a choice of formats, a wide range of premium papers and a selection of cover finishes and lamination options, every pocket-sized book we produce is fully customisable to your vision. Read on to discover everything you need to know about our mini book printing service.

Perfect Binding for Every Pocket Book Print Run

All of our pocket-sized books are produced using perfect paperback binding — the most widely used and recognised binding method for books of all types. With perfect binding, the inside pages are precision-trimmed and glued to the cover along a flat spine, creating a clean, professional finish that looks and feels like a proper published book. It's an ideal solution for small book printing projects where quality and presentation matter, whether you're producing fiction, non-fiction, guides, manuals or promotional publications.

Perfect binding is available across all of our pocket book formats and paper stocks, and can be combined with a range of cover lamination and special finish options for an even more polished result.

Mini Book Printing in Custom and Standard Formats

Our pocket book printing service is available in two standard formats, as well as a fully custom size option for projects with specific requirements:

• A5 (14.8 x 21 cm) — the most popular format for pocket-sized publications, offering plenty of space for text and images while remaining easy to handle and carry.
• Format 6 (10.5 x 14.8 cm) — a truly compact mini book printing format, equivalent to A6, ideal for pocket guides, novellas, travel companions and concise reference publications.
• Custom format — have something specific in mind? Simply enter your preferred width and height measurements in the order form to create a fully bespoke pocket book in any size you need.

All formats are available in both portrait and landscape orientation, giving you complete creative freedom over the layout and presentation of your publication.

Calculating Your Page Count for Small Book Printing

When setting up your pocket book print file, it's important to calculate your page count correctly. The total number of pages must be a multiple of two, and must include the four pages that make up your cover — the front, back, inside front and inside back — in addition to all of your inside pages. Bear in mind that one sheet of paper consists of two pages: the front and the back.

As an example, if your book contains 80 inside pages, your total page count will be 84 (80 inside pages plus 4 cover pages). We strongly recommend downloading our template and instructions from this page before preparing your artwork, to ensure your file is set up correctly and ready to print without any issues.

Premium Papers for Your Pocket-Sized Book

The paper you choose for the inside pages of your small book plays a crucial role in how it looks, feels and reads. At Pixartprinting, we offer a carefully curated selection of high-quality paper stocks to suit every type of publication:

• Classic Demimatt — a long-lasting matt coated paper that enhances photographic detail and delivers crisp, clear text. Ideal for illustrated pocket books and image-rich publications.
• Classic Gloss — a bright, gloss coated paper with a silky finish and rich, vivid colour reproduction. Perfect for bold, full-colour mini book printing projects.
• Classic Uncoated — a versatile, brilliant white uncoated paper, well suited to text-heavy publications such as novels, guides and reference books.
• Classic Ivory Uncoated — a warm-toned, 70 gsm ivory paper with high opacity and a natural surface that reduces eye strain. The preferred choice for fiction, prolonged reading and black-and-white editorial printing.
• Extraprint — a smooth, brilliant white uncoated stock with a velvety surface and excellent colour fidelity. A highly versatile option for a wide range of pocket book printing applications.
• Rembrandt — a stipple-textured, laid uncoated paper with an embossed line finish that produces sharp printing and bright colours. Particularly suited to elegant and distinctive publications.
• Underwood (Woodstock Birch) — an ivory-toned paper with a tactile, natural feel and a surface featuring subtle dots and straw inclusions. Perfect for eco-conscious and premium mini book printing.
• Recycled — made from 100% recycled fibres, this environmentally responsible paper lends character and sustainability credentials to any small book printing project.

Special Finishes to Elevate Your Pocket Book Cover

A great cover can make all the difference. For pocket books that truly stand out, our special cover finish options add an extra dimension of visual impact and tactile appeal. Choose from three premium finishes — 3D varnish for a raised, textured coating that adds depth and dimension; gold foil for a warm, luxurious metallic sheen; or silver foil for a sleek, contemporary metallic detail. Each finish is applied with precision and care to ensure a result that looks and feels truly special. Please follow the instructions sheet carefully when preparing your artwork file to ensure your chosen finish is applied correctly.

Lamination Options for Small Books That Last

In addition to our special finishes, all pocket-sized books can be finished with a choice of cover lamination to protect your publication and enhance its appearance:

• Matt lamination — a smooth, non-reflective finish for a refined, understated look that lets the design speak for itself.
• Gloss lamination — a high-shine finish that intensifies colours and gives your cover a bold, eye-catching appearance.
• Soft-touch lamination — a velvety, tactile coating that gives your cover an unmistakably premium feel from the first touch.

How to Order Your Pocket Book Printing Online

Ordering your small books from Pixartprinting is a simple, step-by-step process. Start by selecting all of your configuration options on this page — format, page count, paper type, cover finish and lamination. Next, download the Template and Instructions to ensure your print file is set up correctly. Once your artwork is ready, place your order, upload your file and leave the rest to us. Your finished pocket books will be delivered directly to your home or office — free of charge, always.

Helpful Tips for Your Mini Book Printing Project

Whether this is your first foray into small book printing or you're a seasoned self-publisher, our blog is full of expert guidance to help you get the best possible result. Learn how books are structured before you begin, find out how much it costs to print a book and get practical advice on typesetting your book correctly . You'll also find inspiration on marketing in the publishing sector and step-by-step guidance on how to design a book cover that captures attention and sells your story.

Explore Our Full Printing and Binding Services

Our pocket book printing service is part of a comprehensive range of printing and binding services from Pixartprinting. If you're looking for a different format or style, explore our related products:

• Book printing — professional printing for full-sized novels, guides and corporate publications in a wide range of binding styles.
• Catalogue printing — showcase your products in a beautifully printed, professionally bound catalogue.
• Booklet and brochure printing — concise, versatile publications for marketing, events and corporate communications.