How to self publish a photo book checklist


We've created a full How To Self Publish A Photo Book Guide but for a quick overview and to get started, run through our handy questionnaire.
 

Why publish a photo book?

 
The purpose of my book is ________________________

The audience for my book is _______________________
 

How to fund a photo book

Funding options

My budget

TOTAL $

The average Australian and New Zealand photo book crowdfunding campaign attracts approximately $20,000.

Find our more at blog.momentopro.com.au/crowdfunding.
 

How to design a photo book


Research photo book design or work with experts:
 
Be clear on your print supplier’s:
 
Make sure you consider:
 
Find advice from photo book design experts at blog.momentopro.com.au/design

 

“By placing a picture on the right and a picture on page left, something must transpire in between the two page spread, the mise-en-page. The essential principle is that the sum will equal more than the total of its parts.” Ralph Gibson

What format for your photo book


Specification to consider:
Ensure your decisions match your book’s purpose, your budget, your audience’s budget and your printer’s requirements.

Consider producing a softcover edition to minimise production and shipping costs, or a hardcover limited edition with premium materials for more prestige and profit.

Discover popular formats and helpful case studies at blog.momentopro.com.au/formats

Hardcover book range


Momento Pro's hardcover range includes 12 sizes, 12 papers, 40 cover materials, digital offset and inkjet printing but to make life easy for self publishers, we've also curated a dedicated range of options at affordable prices for hardcover Volume Orders in batches of 25 copies up to 250 copies here.

Call us to discuss your volume order objectives, budget and preferred RRP, and we’ll advise on the most appropriate format and materials in
our range.

Softcover book range

We also produce softcover books for orders in batches of 25 copies. All softcover books are digital offset printed in 4 colours.

Binding

Saddle Stitched: Stapled with square back spine. Available in batches of 25 copies with a minimum of 8 pages and maximum of 48 pages, including the inside and outside cover designs. Page count must be a multiple of four.

Perfect Bound: With a PUR glued spine. Available in batches of 25 copies with a minimum of 30 pages and maximum of 200 pages.

Papers

+ Satin 150gsm pages with 250 to 350gsm gloss or matte laminated cover
+ Matte 160gsm pages with 250 to 350gsm cover
+ Eggshell 148gsm pages with 250gsm cover
+ Lustre 190gsm with 250 to 350gsm laminated cover

Production Time (ex delivery)

Dependant on order specifications. Starting at 14 days.

For more details visit momentopro.com.au/softcover

 

“Key aspects to consider before making a photo book... your knowledge of bookmaking, your budget, and the reason you are doing it.” - Bruno Ceschel, Self Publish Be Happy

How many photo books to print

 
The minimum for a traditional oset print run is approximately 500 copies. Print on demand services can print one up to a few
hundred. Momento Pro specialises in one up to 250 copies, with the best prices kicking in at 25 copies or more.

Learn what photo book best seller statistics are at blog.momentopro.com.au/quantity


Where to sell a photo book

 
Discover the most photo book friendly retailers and distributors in Australia and New Zealand at blog.momentopro.com.au/sell


How to price a photo book


This is the million dollar question and there's no single answer but here's what you need to consider before deciding on a sale price.
 
Photobooks can sell from $5.00 up to $5,000 depending on the profile of the photographer, the publishing model, the edition size, the quality of production and more. Prices of $80 and above are becoming more common and acceptable for books that are locally made, in limited editions to high production values.

Find our analysis of photo book RRPs at blog.momentopro.com.au./pricing


How to promote a photo book

 
Creating and printing the book is relatively easy, promoting and selling your books is the hard part. Planning in advance will make a
big difference.

Read some case studies at blog.momentopro.com.au/promote


In summary


Good to know before publishing:

 

What next?



Now publish your bloody book!