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Design Choices: First Steps
Designer's World

Please print out this WORKSHEET to begin Basic Book design. As you are filling out your worksheet, many answers to your questions can be found below!

We will go over all aspects of design once we are commited to your project.

First things first, let's look at your BOOK SIZE

 

There are some standard book sizes that might help you decide what would be best size for your book.

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  • Trade paperbacks are usually 5.5 x 8.5 to 6x9 and are the most popular book size. The 6 x 9 size - with a 2:3 ratio has long been considered ideal for a book page.  This size is recommended for most novel type books,non-fiction books and devotionals.

  • Workbooks/Manuals usually require a little more room. Ideally, 8.5 x 11 is recommended, allowing space for Bible Studies and writing within the pages.

  • Children's books are best suited at 8x10 or 8x8- even up to 12 x 12.

 

These are the most popular book sizes, although we can discuss other options to bring your book to life!

Levitating Books

Paper thickness is the next item to consider

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Overwhelmingly, PHCS recommends a 70 pound paper weight.  The presentation surpasses that of a lighter weight paper. If, however you would like to cut corners, or if you are making a hand-out for work/conferences a 50 pound weight would suffice.

 

Let's break it down by asking a few questions:

  • Is this book a give away for conferences, etc? (50#)

  • Does your book contain a lot of color and illustration? (70#)

  • Are there a lot of photos planned for your book? (70#)

  • Do you mind "ghosting" or bleed through.  This is when you can see what is happening on the opposite page - a sort of ghost image that shows through. (Thinner papers will have ghosting) (No ghosting = 70#)

Young Businesswomen

Paper color

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What color do you want the inside pages to be?

  • White

  • Cream/Natural

  • Colored (color choices are limited)

Editing an Image

We have to talk about color…

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If you DO NOT have photos/illustrations or color within the pages of your book, you don't have to concern yourself with color options. If you DO have color within your pages there are two options:

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  • Standard color—upon close inspection you may see the individual dots that make up the images in your book.

  • Premium color- is much smoother, the colors flow seamlessly together. If your book is driven by the photos/illustrations the extra cost will be worth it for your images to be as clean as possible.

  • For the cleanest/sharpest images, choose premium color with heavier weight paper. (70#)

 

Note: premium color is more expensive- but well worth it for your final product!

Book Stack

Type of book

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Select the style of book you wish to publish:

  • Hardcover

  • Paperback

  • eBook

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