Step 1
Choose your book format
Step 1 is easy. You just have to decide whether you want your book to be a hardback, a paperback, an e-book and/or an audio-book. In all likelihood, you’ll opt for a couple of formats—such as a paperback (also known as a softcover) and an e-book. The latter is easy. You just make that decision and you’re basically done until you upload it. With a book that you can hold in your hands, however, you’ll need to figure out the trim size, a fancy way of saying the book’s dimensions.
Trim sizes:
Although you can opt for a myriad of trim sizes (the actual dimensions of your book), sticking with the standards allows you the choice between white- and cream-colored paper instead of being automatically stuck with white paper. Since cream is easier on the eyes, it’s nice to have that option.
The graphic below shows standard trim sizes you can choose from, as well as the maximum page count for that trim size. (The minimum page count is 24 pages regardless of the book’s dimensions). Trim sizes specify the book’s width first, followed by the height.
|
Trim size |
Black ink and white paper |
Black ink and cream paper |
Standard color ink and white paper |
Premium color ink and 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 |
|
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 – 590 |
24 – 550 |
72 – 600 |
24 – 590 |
|
8.5″ x 11″ (21.59 x 27.94 cm) |
24 – 590 |
24 – 550 |
72 – 600 |
24 – 590 |
|
8.27″ x 11.69″ (21 x 29.7 cm) |
24 – 780 |
24 – 730 |
Not available |
24 – 590 |
Trim Size 101
According to an IngramSpark blog, the following trim sizes are the most popular among traditional publishers for the various book categories:
- General Fiction 5.25×8
- General Non-Fiction 5.5×8.5
- Thrillers/Mysteries 5.25×8
- YA General Fiction 5×7
- YA Dystopian, Fantasy, and Sci-Fi 5.5×8.5
- General Self Help 5.25×8
- Inspirational/Spiritual 5×8
- Memoir 5.25×8
- Reference 6×9 and 7×10
- Middle-Grade Fiction 5×8
- Picture Books PB 8×8
- Business 5.5×8.5
The Next Step…
Once you’ve defined your book format(s), it’s time to start thinking about:
