Which sizes to offer, what they cost you, and what to charge
March 2026When a customer finishes their tribute book and wants a printed copy, they'll choose a size. We print it through one of two vendors and ship it directly to them. You never touch inventory.
Based on what people actually buy in the photo book industry, these 6 sizes cover the sweet spot. We can always add more later.
Most popular book size
#1 photo book size
Current digital default
Why no 5x7? Neither printer offers an exact 5x7" bound book. It's a standard photo print size but not a standard book size. The closest are 5x8" and 5.5x8.5" from Lulu, which we can add if customers ask for something smaller.
These are your costs per book for a typical 50-page color tribute book. You set the customer price on top of this.
| Size | Printer | Paperback | Hardcover | + Shipping (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6x9" US Trade | Lulu | $8-12 | $15-20 | $4-6 |
| 8x10" Portrait | Blurb | $20-30 | $40-60 | $5-8 |
| 8.5x8.5" Square | Lulu | $10-14 | $18-25 | $4-6 |
| 8.5x11" Letter | Lulu | $12-15 | $20-27 | $4-6 |
Costs vary with exact page count. Lulu gives us real-time pricing via API so we'll always show the exact number at checkout.
Here's what the margins look like at different customer price points (using a 6x9" Lulu paperback as an example, ~$16 total cost including shipping):
| You Charge | Your Cost | Your Margin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| $29 | ~$16 | ~$13 (45%) | Accessible price point |
| $39 | ~$16 | ~$23 (59%) | Sweet spot for most sizes |
| $49 | ~$16 | ~$33 (67%) | Premium positioning |
For hardcovers and Blurb's premium options, you'd charge more (e.g., $59-79 for a hardcover, $69-99 for a Blurb premium print).
Best overall value. Good quality, lower cost, global shipping.
Superior photo quality. Higher cost. Position as the upgrade.