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PLAN YOUR BOOK

Take time and consider all the options that are available, well before you start formatting your book. This will eliminate unnecessary time and money wastage.

Below is an extensive list of some of the choices you will need to make and many aspects that need to be taken into consideration on the journey to a final published book.

The information provided is from the 2 largest print on demand platforms and was up to date when posted. Please go to the relevant site to confirm the details.

 

 

Where are you going to sell your book?

(Each sales platform has different requirements for the file that you will upload to them)

Amazon KDPIngram Spark

AVAILABLE TRIM SIZES

Amazon – Trim size with page count

Paperback

Paperback
Trim Size Black ink
White paper
Black ink
Cream paper
Std color ink
White paper
Prem color ink
White paper
5″ x 8″ (12.7 x 20.32 cm) 24 – 828 24 – 776 72 – 600 24 – 828
5.06″ x 7.81″ (12.85 x 19.84 cm)  24 – 828 24 – 776  72 – 600  24 – 828 
5.25″ x 8″ (13.34 x 20.32 cm)  24 – 828  24 – 776  72 – 600  24 – 828 
5.5″ x 8.5″ (13.97 x 21.59 cm)  24 – 828  24 – 776  72 – 600  24 – 828 
6″ x 9″ (15.24 x 22.86 cm)  24 – 828  24 – 776  72 – 600  24 – 828 

 

Large Trim Sizes
Trim Size Black ink
White paper
Black ink
Cream paper
Std color ink
White paper
Prem color ink
White paper
6.14″ x 9.21″ (15.6 x 23.39 cm)  24 – 828  24 – 776  72 – 600  24 – 828 
6.69″ x 9.61″ (16.99 x 24.41 cm)  24 – 828  24 – 776  72 – 600  24 – 828 
7″ x 10″ x (17.78 x 25.4 cm)  24 – 828  24 – 776  72 – 600  24 – 828 
7.44″ x 9.69″ (18.9 x 24.61 cm)  24 – 828  24 – 776  72 – 600  24 – 828 
7.5″ x 9.25″ (19.05 x 23.5 cm)  24 – 828  24 – 776  72 – 600  24 – 828 
8″ x 10″ (20.32 x 25.4 cm)  24 – 828  24 – 776  72 – 600  24 – 828 
8.25″ x 6″ (20.96 x 15.24 cm)  24 – 800  24 – 750  72 – 600  24 – 800 
8.25″ x 8.25″ (20.96 x 20.96 cm)  24 – 800  24 – 750  72 – 600  24 – 800 
8.5″ x 8.5″ (21.59 x 21.59 cm)  24 – 800  24 – 550  72 – 600  24 – 590 
8.5″ x 11″ (21.59 x 27.94 cm)  24 – 800  24 – 550  72 – 600  24 – 590 
8.27″ x 11.69″ (21 x 29.7 cm)  24 – 800  24 – 730  Not available  24 – 590 

 

Hard Cover
Trim Size Black ink
White paper
Black ink
Cream paper
Std color ink
White paper
Prem color ink
White paper
5.5″ x 8.5″ (13.97 x 21.59 cm) 75 – 550 75 – 550 Not available 75 – 550
6″ x 9″ (15.24 x 22.86 cm) 75 – 550 75 – 550 Not available 75 – 550

 

Large Trim Sizes
Trim Size Black ink
White paper
Black ink
Cream paper
Std color ink
White paper
Prem color ink
White paper
6.14″ x 9.21″ (15.6 x 23.39 cm) 75 – 550 75 – 550 Not available 75 – 550
7″ x 10″ (17.78 x 25.4 cm) 75 – 550 75 – 550 Not available 75 – 550
8.25″ x 11″ (20.96 x 27.94 cm) 75 – 550 75 – 550 Not available 75 – 550

 

Ingram Spark– Book category and common book trim size

Category Common Size
General Fiction: 6″ x 9″
General Nonfiction: 5.5″ x 8.5″
Thrillers/Mysteries: 5.25″ x 8″
YA General Fiction: 5″ x 7″
YA Dystopian, Fantasy, and Sci-Fi: 5.5″ x 8.5″
General Self Help: 5.25″ x 8″
Inspirational/Spiritual: 5.25″ x 8″
Memoir: 5.25″ x 8″
Middle-Grade Fiction: 5″ x 8″
Children’s Picture Books: 8.5″ x 8.5″
Business: 5.5″ x 8.25″ or 5.25″ x 8″

AVAILABLE TRIM SIZES

Text content

AVAILABLE TRIM SIZES

Text content

Hard cover or paperback?

Hard cover or paperback?

  • Decide if your book is going to be black & white or color.
  • Decide which paper color your prefer.
Amazon
Paperback Hard Cover
Black ink and 50-61 pound (74-90 GSM) cream paper Black ink and 50-61 pound (74-90 GSM) cream paper
Black ink and 50-61 pound (74-90 GSM) white paper Black ink and 50-61 pound (74-90 GSM) white paper
Premium color ink and 60-71 pound (88-105 GSM) white paper Premium color ink and 60-71 pound (88-105 GSM) white paper
Standard color interior with 50-61 pound (74-90 GSM) white paper Not available
Ingram Spark
Paper color & Weights
Groundwood 38lb / 56gsm: Available for black & white printing, and select, small-format trim sizes
Crème 50lb / 74gsm: Available for black & white printing
White 50lb / 74gsm: Available for black & white printing and standard color printing
White 70lb / 104gsm: Available for all color printing options

*Ink and paper options may not be available for all book trim sizes. Not all Ink options will be available for all paper options. Please check with the platform before proceeding.

Font Types

Font Size

What is the minimum font size allowed?
To ensure a book’s text is legible, it is required to have a minimum font size of 7 points.

Which fonts are best to use?
Times New Roman and Arial are popular choices. When choosing a font, look for something simple and easy to read. More elaborate fonts can be effective for headers and chapter titles but aren’t recommended for body text.

AVAILABLE TRIM SIZES

Text content

AVAILABLE TRIM SIZES

Text content