how much does it cost to print a book?

quotes from: http://www.authorslawyer.com/l-print0.shtml#estimator

all quotes are for a 208-page perfect-bound book, digest-size, 50# offset, 512ppi, 90 bright.

prices:
pressrun=0100 = cost/book = $6.22
pressrun=0500 = cost/book = $4.57
pressrun=1000 = cost/book = $2.62
pressrun=2000 = cost/book = $1.64
pressrun=3000 = cost/book = $1.32
pressrun=5000 = cost/book = $1.07
pressrun=7500 = cost/book = $0.96
for a pressrun over 7,500, you should negotiate a direct quotation.
for a very large pressrun, the price can drop as low as $.50/book.

this clearly shows that p.p.b. costs (paper, printing, and binding)
constitute only a small part of the cost of the typical book, when
printed in a pressrun of the size expected from a major publisher.

notice the huge drop in price-per-book as the pressrun increases,
which you would not expect if the cost was a fixed one, because,
obviously, the amount of paper in each book is exactly the same.

100=$6.22

500=$4.57

1000=$2.62

2000=$1.64

3000=$1.32

5000=$1.07

7500=$0.96