Is publishing a coffee table book still worth it?

In an age where digital content reigns supreme, you may be wondering if publishing a coffee table book is still worth it. Especially when you factor in the time and effort involved.

As someone who has published this type of book, I may be biased, but my answer would be a resounding yes- publishing a coffee table book is still worth it. Artbooks, to give them their fancier title, have unique characteristics that set them apart from other book types, i.e. novels.

Publishing a beautifully designed, image-led book is relevant because they are:

Works of art

A coffee table book can become a work of art in itself. This makes it difficult to replicate this type of book online. The style and format are designed to enhance the reader experience, making it difficult to replicate in digital format

Desirable

Artbooks double as decorative objects placed on, as their name suggests, coffee tables and shelves in homes and workspaces. These illustrative books are seen as luxury items that speak to the taste and sophistication of the owner.

Cultural Reference Markers

Coffee table books present insights into the zeitgeist of the times by documenting moments in culture and history to create a visual record of what was

Educational resources

An artbook’s focus can provide insight into a particular subject, immersing the reader into a world they want to know more about.

Inspirational

Coffee table books are aspirational and inspirational. They can inspire ideas and add to the reader’s knowledge about the subject.

If you have an idea for a coffee table book but are still unsure if publishing one is right for you, for more on the value of artbooks, read: What is the point of a coffee table book?

– Tapiwa Matsinde

[Image credits: The image shown belongs to Kaboompics.com via Pexels. If downloaded and used elsewhere, please credit accordingly.]