Choosing a book size, paper and binding
Three decisions that change how your book feels in the hand. A few simple ways to decide without guessing.
The QuillBees team
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·3 min read
Before a reader reads a word, they hold the book. Size, paper and binding decide how that moment feels, and they are worth a bit of thought.
Size
Look at the books on your own shelf. Pick the ones that feel good to hold and measure them. A novel that is comfortable in one hand is a different size from a cookbook that has to lie flat on a counter.
Some points to keep in mind:
- Fiction is usually smaller and easier to carry. Non-fiction with images, tables or exercises often needs more room.
- A bigger page lets you use fewer pages, but the book can feel awkward in a bag.
- Odd sizes can cost more or be harder to package. Standard sizes are standard for a reason.
A useful trick: print a few pages of your actual text at two or three candidate sizes on ordinary paper, fold them, and read them for ten minutes.
Paper
You will hear two things about paper: its weight, often given in GSM, and its colour.
- Weight. A higher GSM means a thicker, heavier sheet. Thin paper lets the page behind show through. Very thick paper makes the book bulky.
- Colour. White paper looks crisp and suits books with pictures. A cream or off-white sheet is gentler on the eyes over long reading, which is why many novels use it.
- Finish. Uncoated paper feels like writing paper. Glossy paper suits photographs but can reflect light and feel slippery.
Do not choose paper from a name on a quotation. Ask the printer for a sample sheet, or even a dummy copy made from the paper you are considering. Feel it, bend it, hold it against a window.
Binding
Most paperbacks are perfect bound, meaning the pages are glued to the spine. It is neat and common. Longer books or books that must lie open, such as workbooks, may suit other methods like stitching or spiral binding.
Think about how the book will be used. A novel gets read in bed and thrown into bags. A recipe book gets splashed. A notebook needs to open flat.
The cover
The cover finish also matters. Matt has a soft, modern look and shows fingerprints less. Gloss makes colours stronger. Lamination protects the cover from scuffs. Again, ask for a sample.
A short process
- Decide how the book will be used.
- Choose a size that suits that use.
- Get paper samples and pick one you enjoy holding.
- Ask for a dummy copy before the full print, if the printer offers it.
You will make better choices from a physical sample than from any description.
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