Book Design Guide

1️⃣ Define the Book Specifications First

Before opening your layout software, determine:

• ✅ Trim size (e.g., 5.5" x 8.5", 6" x 9", A5, etc.)
  
  

• ✅ Binding type (Perfect binding, Saddle stitch, Hardbinding)
  
  

• ✅ Paper type (cream, white, GSM(thickness))
  
  

• ✅ Printing type (Black & white or Full color)
  
  

• ✅ Estimated page count
  
  

👉 These affect margins, spine width, and layout decisions.

2️⃣ Set Up the Correct Document Size

Use professional layout software like:

• Adobe InDesign
  
  

• Affinity Publisher
  
  

• Scribus
  
  

• MS Word (for simple books)
  
  

Document Setup:

• Page size = Final trim size
  
  

• Enable Facing Pages
  
  

• Start on Right Page (important for books)
  
  

• Add Bleed: 0.125" (3mm) on all sides (if with images/background to edge)
  
  

3️⃣ Set Proper Margins (VERY IMPORTANT)

Margins depend on trim size and binding type.

Recommended Margins for Perfect Binding (Most Common):

For 6" x 9" book:

• Top: 0.75"
  
  

• Bottom: 0.75" – 1"
  
  

• Outside: 0.75"
  
  

• Inside (Gutter): 0.9" – 1" (important for binding)
  
  

👉 The thicker the book, the larger the inside margin should be.

For Saddle Stitch:

• Inside margin can be same as outside (around 0.75")
  
  

4️⃣ Typography Guidelines

Body Text:

• Serif fonts are preferred:
  
  

  • Times New Roman
    
    

  • Garamond
    
    

  • Baskerville
    
    

  • Minion Pro
    
    

Font Size:

• Body text: 10pt – 12pt
  
  

• Line spacing: 1.2 – 1.5
  
  

• Avoid overcrowded text
  
  

Paragraph Settings:

• First line indent: 0.3"
  
  

• No extra space between paragraphs (for novels)
  
  

• Avoid widows and orphans
  
  

5️⃣ Pagination Setup

Basic Rules:

• Page numbers usually start on:
  
  

  • First chapter page (not cover)
    
    

• Front matter (copyright, dedication, TOC):
  
  

  • Use Roman numerals (i, ii, iii)
    
    

• Main content:
  
  

  • Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3)
    
    

Page Placement:

• Odd numbers = Right side
  
  

• Even numbers = Left side
  
  

Check:

• No missing numbers
  
  

• No duplicated numbers
  
  

• No blank pages unless intentional
  
  

6️⃣ Headers and Footers

Usually include:

• Book title (left page)
  
  

• Chapter title (right page)
  
  

• Page numbers at bottom or top corner
  
  

Keep them:

• Consistent
  
  

• Not too close to trim edge
  
  

• Not too close to gutter
  
  

7️⃣ Chapter Layout Standards

Each new chapter should:

• Start on a right-hand page
  
  

• Leave extra space at top
  
  

• Use larger chapter title font
  
  

• Maintain consistent styling
  
  

8️⃣ Image & Graphic Placement

• Use 300 DPI resolution
  
  

• CMYK color mode for printing
  
  

• Extend full-bleed images 0.125" beyond trim
  
  

• Keep important content inside safe margin
  
  

Avoid:

• Low-resolution images
  
  

• RGB color files (for professional printing)
  
  

9️⃣ Check for Widows & Orphans

Widow = Last line of paragraph at top of new page
Orphan = First line alone at bottom of page

Fix manually to improve professional look.

🔟 Pre-Press Checklist Before Exporting

✔ Spell check
✔ Grammar check
✔ Consistent fonts used
✔ Margins consistent
✔ Bleed added
✔ Images 300 DPI
✔ CMYK color
✔ Page numbers correct
✔ Blank pages intentional
✔ Embedded fonts