Can You Order Just One Book from Blurb, and When Do Volume Discounts Apply?

Updated

Yes. Blurb prints and ships every book on demand, so you can order a single copy for yourself or extra copies to share. Volume discounts begin at 10 copies, which makes larger orders for a team, class, or customer list cheaper per book. Every project is custom-made and easy to reorder.

Ordering One Book vs. Many

Order size What applies Typical use
1 copy Standard on-demand printing, no volume discount A personal proof, a gift, or a one-off keepsake
2–9 copies Standard pricing, no volume discount yet Sharing with family and friends
10+ copies Volume discounts start at 10 copies Teams, classes, client lists, events

The key threshold is 10 copies. Below that, you pay the standard per-book price; at 10 and above, the per-unit cost drops. Because each book is printed on demand, ordering one copy first is a practical way to check trim size, paper, and binding before committing to a larger run.

Starting Prices by Format

Blurb lists these starting prices, which give a rough sense of cost before you configure a specific book:

  • Photo Books — from US $12.00. The most premium format, with multiple trim sizes and paper types.
  • Paperback & Hardcover — from US $4.99. Suited to text-only or mixed art-and-text projects such as portfolios, cookbooks, novels, and children's books.
  • Magazines — from US $7.00. Newsstand-quality, good for a series or a one-off project.
  • Notebooks & Journals — from US $14.67. Blank, lined, square, or dot-grid pages, with photos or illustrations added inside.

These are starting figures. The final price of your book depends on format, size, page count, paper, and binding, so check the pricing page for your exact configuration before ordering.

How to Place a Small or Large Order

  1. Create your book using one of Blurb's free tools: the online editor (browser or phone, no download), BookWright (free desktop app with templates), Adobe plugins (InDesign or Lightroom), or PDF to Book (upload a PDF designed in your own program).
  2. Order one copy first if you want to verify the print result. This is standard on-demand printing with no discount.
  3. Reorder at 10+ copies once you're satisfied. Volume discounts apply from 10 copies, and reordering an existing project is designed to be simple.
  4. Confirm the price for your quantity on Blurb's pricing page, since the discount is calculated on your specific book.

Selling and Distribution (If You Need More Than Personal Copies)

If your larger order is tied to selling, Blurb describes four ways to sell, and you can start with one channel and add more:

  • Instant Store — best for getting started fast. Sell directly to readers with one shareable link; no website needed, no hidden fees, and up to 70% lower print costs than Blurb retail pricing.
  • Retail Distribution — best for maximum reach. List your book on Amazon and the Blurb Bookstore.

If you only need copies for yourself, a team, or a class, you can skip selling entirely and just order the quantity you need.

Common Questions

Is there a minimum order? No — one book is fine. The 10-copy mark is where discounts start, not where ordering starts.

Does ordering one copy cost more per book? Yes, relative to a 10+ copy order, because the volume discount doesn't apply below 10 copies.

Can I mix formats in one discounted order? The discount applies to copies of a project; confirm how it's calculated for your specific book on the pricing page.

How do I know my book will look right before a big order? Order a single copy as a proof, then reorder at volume once you've checked it.