Creating a coffee table book used to mean pitching to publishers, investing thousands, or printing hundreds of copies up front.

Not anymore. 

With self-publishing tools like Fourthwall, creators can now turn their art, photography, or personal stories into premium, print-ready books without the traditional gatekeepers. 

Whether you're building your brand, giving fans something lasting, or just want to see your work in print, here’s how to make a coffee table book that looks incredible and sells.

Why You Should Make a Coffee Table Book

If you’re a creator looking to level up your merch game, a coffee table book offers something most products can’t: lasting impact. 

It’s not just a piece of content; it’s a collectible, a conversation starter, and a premium extension of your brand. 

Whether you’re a photographer, artist, writer, or content creator, making a custom photo book or art book can unlock serious value for both your fans and your bottom line.

Here’s why it pays to create your own self-published table book:

High-Value Product, Higher Margins

Table books are perceived as luxury items, which means you can price them higher than standard merchandise. 

While the standard printing costs might range from $15 to $25 per unit, many brands sell their books for $35 to $60, depending on size, materials, and whether it's a limited edition. 

That’s a 40–60% profit margin, which can quickly add up with dedicated fans or collectors.

Build Passive Income Through Evergreen Sales

Once your book is designed, approved, and listed, it becomes a long-term income source with minimal upkeep. 

Unlike digital content or seasonal drops, table books often have evergreen appeal—especially when they feature art, photographs, or a strong theme. 

With print-on-demand or small-batch fulfillment, you don’t need to hold inventory or deal with bulk orders.

Stand Out with a Premium Product

Most merchants sell hoodies, mugs, or keychains. 

Few offer high-quality, custom photo books that look like they belong on a real shelf, or even in bookstores. 

Creating one can help position you as a serious artist, storyteller, or designer while building brand credibility and authority. 

Bonus: it makes an excellent gift, perfect for holidays, fan milestones, or collector bundles.

Expand Reach Beyond Your Core Audience

Unlike niche merch, table books have crossover appeal. 

Beautiful images, thoughtful text, and clean layouts attract readers, design lovers, and collectors; even if they’ve never followed your content before. 

Creators who feature art, travel, or wedding-album-style projects can tap into new communities on Amazon, blogs, and even publishing roundups.

Create a Tangible Legacy

Your fans love your work, but most of it lives on screens. 

A custom coffee table book gives them something physical they can hold, flip through, and display. 

Whether it's full of personal stories, behind-the-scenes moments, or curated photographs, it deepens emotional connection and increases brand loyalty.

Types of Coffee Table Books You Can Create

Don’t know where to start? Here are some high-impact formats to consider:

Photography Books

A photography book is the perfect way to transform your snapshots into a visual journey your readers can experience page by page.

Whether you’re capturing your wedding day, scenic landscapes, or portraits with personality, you can turn your images into a custom book with a polished layout, rich color printing, and thoughtful captions, all without needing a traditional publisher.

Travel Books

Invite readers into the moments that made your journey unforgettable.

From panoramic landscapes and street scenes to local meals and handwritten notes, each page can capture the rhythm, color, and texture of the places you've explored.

Fine Art & Illustration Books

For artists, showcase your curated body of work for your fans to own, whether it’s a gallery-style collection of paintings, a series of detailed sketches, or a visual narrative told through sequential art.

These books serve as both personal portfolios and statement pieces, turning your artistic vision into a printed experience that invites display, discovery, and repeat viewing.

Design & Lifestyle Inspiration

Create a book that reflects your personal style or brand identity, offering readers a beautifully composed look into the worlds of decor, wellness, minimalism, or whatever lifestyle vibe you’re known for.

Cookbooks

Self-publish your personal recipes, kitchen experiments, or family dishes with your fans, whether it’s comfort food, vegan meals, global flavors, or desserts that deserve their own spotlight. 

Pair mouthwatering photos with short stories, tips, or personal notes to create a book that feels as much like a keepsake as it does a guide to great food.

Themed Storybooks

Turn your stories into something fans can hold, flip through, and get lost in.

Themed storybooks combine vivid illustrations with short fiction, character backstories, or snippets of lore to create immersive worlds that extend far beyond the screen, making each page feel like a portal into your imagination.

They make great gifts for children and are perfect for bedtime readings and collectors alike, offering a tangible way to experience your characters, narratives, and worlds in a beautifully illustrated format

How to Design Your Coffee Table Book

Designing a coffee table book isn’t just about putting images on pages; it’s about creating a piece that feels intentional, polished, and worth picking up again and again.

The design choices you make will shape how your story is experienced, from the mood it sets to the way it flows from cover to final page. Here's what you need to consider before you get started:

Come Up with a Concept

Begin with a clear concept that defines what your book is about and who it’s meant for. Is it a personal project, a love letter to your fandom, or a way to showcase your creative work?

Think about the mood, tone, and style. Do you want it to feel playful, moody, elegant, or bold? Having a strong concept upfront will guide every creative decision you make, from layout and color to the content you include.

Curate Your Content

Curating your content is all about choosing visuals and text that work together to tell a focused story. 

Start by gathering high-resolution images (photos, designs, sketches, or even screenshots) that align with your theme. Then, pair them with short-form writing, such as captions, quotes, or mini-essays, to add context or personality.

Remember to keep each page intentional and to avoid clutter. This will make sure every element supports the overall vibe of your book.

Choose a Format

Choosing the right format sets the tone for how your coffee table book will feel in someone's hands.

Think about size and shape. Do you prefer a bold, oversized landscape layout or a more compact and square design?

Consider the cover style, paper type, and finish as well; glossy photo paper stands out, while matte has a softer, art-forward look.

To gain a better understanding of your format, sketch out your layout using tools like InDesign, Canva, or Photoshop, or experiment directly with design tools within Fourthwall.

How to Make Your Own Coffee Table Book on Fourthwall: 4 Steps

Creating a high-quality, custom coffee table book may sound complex, but Fourthwall makes the process approachable, even for first-time creators.

From layout to launch, here’s how to bring your creative vision to life in print.

Step 1: Start a New Product Request

Once you're logged into your Fourthwall dashboard, click the "Create" button in the upper left corner and select "Create Product."

From the menu, choose "Request Product" to access the custom product form and begin building your hardcover book.

Step 2: Submit Your Book Request Form

Coffee table books are produced in partnership with Mixam, a trusted manufacturer that specializes in premium casebound books with superior strength, color, and finish.

Here’s what to include in your custom request:

• Minimum Quantity: The minimum order starts at 24 units. Consider your audience size and sales goals to determine a quantity that makes sense.
• Ideal Selling Price: Set your target retail price. Coffee table books typically sell between $35–$60, depending on size, paper quality, and design complexity.
• Launch Date: When do you want to release your book? This helps schedule production and marketing.
• Design Description: Explain what you’re creating. Share the theme, content type (photos, illustrations, story, etc.), layout ideas, and any special features you want (spot gloss, foil, embossing).
• Cover and Interior Details: Please specify if you would like a hardcover with a printed wrap, dust jacket, or custom endpapers. Include your preferred page size, orientation (landscape, portrait, or square), and paper type (matte, gloss, or uncoated).
• Artwork Uploads: Upload your print-ready artwork or layout files (minimum 144 DPI). You can use tools like Adobe InDesign, Canva, or Photoshop to build your pages.
• Optional References: Include mood boards, style inspiration, or screenshots to provide the Fourthwall team with more context.

Once your form is complete, submit it for review. A product expert from Fourthwall will get in touch to walk you through the next steps.

Step 3: Order Your Sample Book

After your request is approved, you’ll receive a physical sample to review before launching your book to the public.

• Sample Cost: $17.50 for one hardcover copy
• Sample Production Time: 5 business days
• Shipping Time: Varies by location

This is your chance to check print quality, color accuracy, binding, and layout. Look through every page, feel the paper, and make sure the book looks and feels exactly how you imagined.

Step 4: Approve for Full Production

Once you’re satisfied with the sample, give the go-ahead for production.

• Minimum Order Quantity: 24 copies
• Full Production Time: Approx. 8 business days

After approval, your book will be printed, packed, and shipped directly to fans. No bulk ordering or inventory management required on your end—Fourthwall handles the logistics.

Step 5: Set Pricing, Add Details, and Publish Your Book

With production ready to go, it’s time to finalize your book's storefront listing. 

Add a compelling title, description, and product images that highlight your book’s concept, cover, and interior spreads. 

List key specs (page count, size, format, and print quality) so buyers know exactly what they’re getting.

Then, set your price (based on production cost and desired margins), hit publish, and launch your book to the world. 

You can start taking orders immediately, run pre-sales, or time it with a drop. Either way, your custom coffee table book is now live and ready to sell.

How to Market Your Coffee Table Book

Creating a beautiful coffee table book is only half the journey; getting it into people’s hands is the rest. 

A smart, focused marketing strategy can help you build buzz, drive pre-orders, and turn your book into a best-seller for your audience. Here’s how to make your launch count:

Start Teasing Early

Share behind-the-scenes content, such as early page layouts, unfinished text, draft cover designs, or mood boards that showcase your visual theme and style. 

Use polls or Q&As to get feedback on your book ideas, fonts, or title. This not only boosts engagement but also helps shape your final product. 

Giving readers a peek inside the book design process (especially if you’re using tools like InDesign) makes them feel part of the journey, and can be especially effective for self-publishers looking to stand out in the book publishing world.

Build a Landing Page or Pre-Order Page

Your landing page should serve as your book’s homepage, where fans can learn more, get excited, and purchase. A strong pre-order page can turn casual browsers into committed buyers by showing off exactly what makes your book worth owning.

Here’s what to include:

• Compelling Description: Write a short, punchy intro that explains your book’s concept, theme, or story in a few sentences.
• Visual Previews: Share a few interior spreads, cover mockups, or sample photographs to give visitors a taste of the style and layout.
• Specs and Details: Specify the hardcover format, number of pages, print quality, and any features that distinguish it from other photo books on the market.
• Call to Action: Add a clear button or form that lets people pre-order, sign up for launch alerts, or save the page for later.

Whether you’re aiming to sell through Amazon, your Fourthwall store, or future bookstores, this page is where your self-publishing efforts go from concept to reality.

Promote Across Platforms

Once your photo book is in the works, it’s time to start showing up where your audience already spends their time. Each platform offers unique ways to showcase your custom coffee table book and connect with potential readers.

• Instagram: Post polished images of your hardcover book, show off interior spreads, or create reels that highlight your design process and print quality.
• TikTok: Share fast, behind-the-scenes clips of how you’re making the book, picking a cover, or choosing paper types from your printer.
• YouTube: Create a full book walkthrough, conduct a book designer Q&A, or document your journey from idea to printed books, especially useful for creators building long-form content.
• Twitch or Streams: Show a live unboxing of your photo book, gather feedback on upcoming book ideas, or chat with fans about what they'd like to see in future projects.

Every platform gives you a new way to turn your self-publishing journey into content and drive traffic to your upcoming book launch.

Tell the Story Behind the Book

The most memorable photo books and custom coffee table books come with a story, a purpose, or a moment that sparked their creation. 

Sharing that journey makes your project more relatable, more human, and ultimately more meaningful.

Open up about what inspired you to start: Was it a trip that changed your perspective? A body of work you’ve never shared publicly? A creative itch that wouldn’t go away? 

Share your thought process, obstacles, or unexpected moments along the way. These behind-the-scenes stories can be woven into your marketing using captions, video clips, email newsletters, or short blog posts.

By letting your readers in on the emotional side of your self-publishing process, you give them more than just a product—you give them a reason to care, connect, and support.

Offer Limited Drops or Bonuses

Limited-time offers and exclusive extras can turn your photo book into a must-have item, giving fans a reason to buy early. 

Adding special rewards makes your custom coffee table book feel more personal, collectible, and worth showing off. Here are a few ideas to build hype and boost pre-orders:

• Signed Editions: Personalize the first 50–100 copies with your signature or a short note inside the interior page to make each one feel one-of-a-kind.
• Bonus Items: Include a mini art print, bookmark, or themed sticker pack with every pre-order as a surprise gift.
• Limited Covers: Create a numbered edition with an exclusive cover design, foil detail, or alternate style that won’t be reprinted.
• Early Bird Discounts: Offer a special price for the first wave of orders to reward quick action and build momentum.

These small touches can not only boost your sales but also elevate your self-publishing launch into an experience, giving fans more than just a book—something worth collecting and displaying.

Collaborate with Other Creators

When you partner with other creators who align with your vibe or niche, you tap into a built-in community that’s already primed to care about your work.

Collaboration can take many forms: trade shoutouts on social media, co-host a live stream where you flip through each other’s books, or bundle your releases together for a special edition drop. 

You could also guest on their podcast or newsletter, run a joint giveaway, or invite them to contribute a quote, foreword, or captions inside your book.

These partnerships not only expand your readership but also build credibility, strengthen community ties, and help your self-publishing project stand out in a crowded space.

Keep Promoting Post-Launch

Publishing your photo book is a major milestone, but your marketing shouldn’t stop once it’s live. In fact, the post-launch phase is where long-term sales and community engagement really take off. 

Keep the energy going by sharing user-generated content, reposting fan photos of your book on display, and responding to their feedback with gratitude and excitement.

You can also film unboxing or packaging videos, showcase behind-the-scenes clips of your self-publishing process, or give followers a closer look at specific pages, design details, or the cover they may have missed. 

Consider highlighting customer reviews or running flash promotions for new followers who discover your book late.

By consistently weaving your book into your content, across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and email, you reinforce its presence in your brand and build a sense of value and collectibility.

Ready to Create Your Own Coffee Table Book?

Whether you're building a visual portfolio, telling your story through photography, or designing a collectible for your fans, a custom coffee table book is one of the most powerful ways to share your creativity in physical form. 

With Fourthwall, you don’t need to be a publishing expert or hire a team—you just need your vision, your content, and the drive to make something real.

From high-quality printing to hands-off fulfillment, Fourthwall handles the heavy lifting so you can focus on what matters: creating a book that looks incredible, feels premium, and connects with your audience.

Start your custom book journey today by signing up for Fourthwall and bringing your ideas to life in print.

FAQ: How to Make a Coffee Table Book

What is the best platform for self-publishing a coffee table book?

The best platform for self-publishing a coffee table book depends on your goals, but creators looking for ease, control, and high-quality print options often choose Fourthwall. 

Unlike traditional publishers or publishing houses, platforms like Fourthwall allow self-publishers to handle everything from design to sales without going through Amazon or large bookstores. 

Just upload your photo book, set your price, and start selling directly to your audience.

How much does it cost to print a coffee table book?

The cost to print a coffee table book varies based on several factors, including size, page count, paper quality, and whether you choose a softcover or hardcover format.

On average, you can expect to pay between $15–$25 per unit for professional-grade books printed with a premium printer. 

Custom features, such as full-color images, unique fonts, or specialty covers designed by a book designer, may increase the final cost.

Can I sell my photo book online without using a publisher?

Yes, you can sell your photo book online without going through traditional publishers or publishing houses. 

Using self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Fourthwall, you can upload your book, manage your own storefront, and handle orders independently, all without sacrificing quality or visibility. 

What’s the best size for a coffee table book?

The best coffee table book size depends on your content and the visual impact you want to make. 

Common sizes include 8x10, 10x10, and 11x14 inches, providing ample space for large photographs, detailed text, or bold themes.

Larger formats are ideal for art books, travel photo collections, or image-heavy projects, especially when working with a professional cover or book designer.