Book sizes explained for self-publishers
Book sizes and choices in printing.
Standard book sizes are an area of confusion, so let’s sort through it. We will explain book sizes, but with Star Print Brokers, you can print any nearly any dimensions, landscape or portrait.
Dimensions, width by length.
Typically, when self-publishers ask about standard book sizes, they are referring to the dimensions of a book versus the page count. That is the width by the length. The width is called out first, so you can also say that a book is 8.5″ x 11″ landscape, instead of 11″ x 8.5″. The orientation is either portrait (vertical), landscape (horizontal), or square.
Hardcover versus Soft Cover Dimensions.
Soft cover book dimensions.
Describing the dimensions of a soft cover or paperback book is straight forward. If the text block, which in this case means all the interior pages, is 5.5″ x 8.5″, the soft cover is applied to the text block and trimmed to the same dimensions. The dimensions of the book are still 5.5″ x 8.5″.
Hardcover book dimensions.
Let’s use the same example with a text block that is 5.5″ x 8.5″. The hard case of a hardcover book holds this text block. Because the boards of the hard case are larger than the text block, the dimensions of the hard case are slightly larger. The increased size varies by manufacturer. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about this until designing the cover wrap and dust jacket. We still say the dimensions of this hardcover book are 5.5″ x 8.5″ even though the boards are larger.
Star Print Brokers prints nearly any custom book sizes needed by self-publishers. All of our books are custom manufactured.
Print on-demand (POD) dimensions.
POD service providers are usually outputting books — a few copies at a time — or even one-off. They also can do short runs. These are not high-quality options. But, if you have a soft cover book where color is not important, as in a novel, POD is not a bad option. Because everything is structured and mass produced at POD service providers, standard book sizes need to be adhered to. Sizes differ among service providers. Generally, they fall back on sizes that have been typical in the industry. The POD books and their sizes are generally driven by paper sheet dimensions.
The following standard book sizes below, are incomplete examples as they vary so much by service provider.
- Digest 5.5″ x 8.5″
- US Trade 6″ x 9″
- Small Square 7.5″ x 7.5″
- Square 8.5″ x 8.5″
- Comic Book 6.625″ x 10.25″
- US Letter 8.5″ x 11″
How Star Print Brokers book sizes are different.
We print nearly any custom book sizes needed by self-publishers. Books are all printed on press, and printed in signatures. Star Print Brokers often prints 12″ x 12″ books and other large format book sizes. We also print landscape oriented books. Printing on press with SPB has fewer restrictions than POD.
Most of the time, we can print almost any book dimensions that authors want. Since we don’t have standard book sizes, the best way to find out if we can print the dimensions you want is to ask, or request a quote. Call us from anywhere in the USA, at (844) 603-1777 or (425) 603-1777 in the Seattle area.
We suggest that the book should be compiled in InDesign. We also provide book design services, if needed.
