10 Book Printing Terms Every Self-Publishing Author Should Know

Self-publishing your book is an exciting adventure, but the printing process can sometimes feel like you need a translator for all the tech jargon. In this guide, I’m going to break down 10 essential printing terms—from trim size and DPI to bleed, binding, and proofing—in plain language. Whether you’re trying to pick the perfect page dimensions or ensure your images pop on paper, this post will help clear up any confusion so that you can focus on telling your story.

I’ve designed this guide to be as practical and friendly as possible, with real-world tips and use cases, as well as clear explanations. With these insights, you’ll be better equipped to make smart choices that bring your creative vision to life. So let’s get to it.

1. Trim Size

What It Means:

Trim size is the final dimensions of your book after the pages are cut. It’s like choosing the perfect frame for a painting. The trim size affects the layout, page count, and overall feel of your book. 

Popular sizes vary based on the book’s genre—most novels are somewhere between 5” x 8” to 6” x 9”, while children’s book authors (and publishers for, for that matter) prefer a larger, more square 8” x 8”. For photo books, coffee table books, and yearbooks, we suggest 8” x 10” or 8.5” x 11”. Your professional book designer should have extensive experience and be able to advise on the appropriate trim size.

Why Trim Size is Important:

• Design Accuracy: Knowing the trim size helps you design your interior layout accurately.

• Cost Consideration: Different trim sizes can impact printing costs and paper usage.

• Reader Appeal: A well-chosen trim size makes your book comfortable to hold and read.

2. DPI (Dots Per Inch)

What It Means:

DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. It tells you how many tiny dots of ink are used in an inch of printed material—simple enough. The higher the DPI, the sharper and clearer your images and text will be. However, there is a threshold where it doesn’t make much of a difference—at least in book printing—and that’s at around 300 dpi.

If you’re hiring an illustrator or a photographer to create images for your book, ensure they’re supplying files that are minimum 300 dpi and CMYK colour space (we’ll get into that next).

Why DPI/Image Resolution is Important:

• Image Clarity: A higher DPI means more detail, especially in photographs or intricate designs.

• Print Quality: Low DPI can result in blurry images, so always use a high resolution for your print files.

3. CMYK and RGB (Colour Space)

What It Means:

Whether you’re creating colour on paper or on a screen, a similar principle is at play: various base or primary colours are combined to create the desired colour. In print, we us CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black or Key), while on screens, RGB (Red, Green, Blue). When preparing your book for print, it’s crucial to use CMYK. For eBook projects, images will look better in RGB.

Why Colour Space is Important:

• Colour Accuracy: Colours may look different on screen versus in print; using CMYK ensures the printed colours match your design.

• Print Consistency: Proper colour mode conversion prevents unexpected colour shifts in your final product.

4. Bleed

What It Means:

Bleed is the extra area added around the edge of your page that gets trimmed off during the printing process. Imagine painting a picture on a canvas that is a little larger than the frame; the extra paint that goes beyond the edge ensures that when you cut the canvas, there’s no unpainted border left behind. This is important for print jobs where graphics are meant to go right to the edge of the page.

For print, bleed of 0.125” is usually sufficient, but ask your printer if they need more before preparing files.

Why Bleed is Important:

• Seamless Design: Prevents any unwanted white margins from appearing after the page is cut.

• Design Flexibility: Allows your design or background colours to extend fully to the edge of the page.

5. Binding

What It Means:

Binding refers to the process of assembling all the pages of your book into one finished product. It’s like putting together a puzzle where each page is connected to form a complete story. There are several binding types, including perfect binding (where pages are glued together), Smyth sewing (a method where folded sheets—called folios—are sewn together with thread), saddle stitch (where pages are stapled together), and spiral binding (where a coil holds the pages together). 

Each type of binding affects how your book looks and feels, but there are some very practical applications for each. Smyth sewing is great for durability and longevity while coil binding is great for sheet music as it gives a lay-flat effect.

Why Binding is Important:

• Durability: The binding method impacts how long your book will last.

• Aesthetics: Different binding styles create a unique look that can affect how readers perceive your book, i.e. avoid coil binding your debut novel.

• Cost: Some binding methods are more budget-friendly than others, especially depending on the size of your print run.

6. Gutter

What It Means:

The gutter is the inner margin or space between the pages where the book is bound together. Think of it as the space that gives your pages a little breathing room near the centre. A properly-sized gutter ensures that when you open the book, none of your text gets lost or too close to the binding, making it easier for readers to see every word (kind of important).

When I’m typesetting a novel, memoir, or short story collection, I like to give a little extra width to the inside margin (about 0.125”-.25” extra) which ensures that when the book is printed and bound, the text block is relatively centred.

Why Gutter is Important:

• Readability: It keeps the text away from the binding, ensuring that no words are hidden.

• Design Balance: It helps maintain a consistent and balanced layout throughout your book.

7. Offset Printing

What It Means:

Offset printing is a traditional method used for large-volume printing. In this process, your book’s design is transferred from a metal plate to a rubber blanket and then onto the paper. This method is like using a stamp repeatedly to create a high-quality print. It is highly reliable for large print runs because it produces consistent, sharp images and colours across thousands of copies.

Printing a run of books through offset printing usually takes quite a bit longer than digital printing (12-14 weeks compared to 3-5 weeks, on average), but if you’re not in a rush and are ordering enough books, offset printing can be a great option for high quality printing with great cost savings.

Why Offset Printing Is Important:

• High Quality: Delivers excellent detail and consistent colour reproduction.

• Cost-Effective for Large Runs: More economical when printing many copies.

• Professional Finish: Often used for high-end books due to its quality and durability.

8. Digital Printing

What It Means:

Digital printing is a modern method that prints your book directly from a digital file, without the need for metal plates. Think of it as printing from your computer at home but on a professional scale. This method is ideal for small print runs or on-demand printing because it is quick to set up and allows for easy changes between print jobs.

Why Digital Printing is Important:

Speed: Offers faster turnaround times, especially for short print runs.

Flexibility: Allows for last-minute adjustments without the need for costly reprints.

Lower Minimums: Perfect for authors who don’t need thousands of copies.

9. Paper Weight

What It Means:

Paper weight refers to the thickness and sturdiness of the paper, usually measured in pounds (lb) or grams per square meter (gsm). Imagine comparing a sheet of lightweight tissue paper to a heavy piece of card stock. The weight of the paper can affect how your book feels in hand, how durable it is, and even the printing cost.

An important note: the addition of coatings or lamination can increase the overall point weight of a stock.

Why Paper Weight is Important:

• Quality Feel: Heavier paper often gives a premium feel, while lighter paper might work for cost-effective projects.

• Cost Consideration: The paper weight you choose can impact the overall expense of your book.

• Suitability: Different types of books (e.g., photo books versus novels) require different paper weights for the best reading experience.

10. Proofing

What It Means:

Proofing is the process of creating a sample copy of your book to review before you commit to the full printing run. Think of it like a dress rehearsal for your book. This sample copy lets you see exactly how your text, images, and design elements will look once printed. During proofing, you check for any mistakes in the layout, colour, and overall appearance. It’s a vital step where you compare your printed version to the digital file to ensure that what you see on the screen translates perfectly to paper.

Note: The proofing stage is not the time to make corrections to your text or design. By the time files have gone to print, it’s usually too late to change the files, and printers will charge you additional set up fees if they have to re-impose your files.

Why Proofing is Important:

• Error Prevention: Catch typos, misaligned images, and formatting issues early, saving you time and money.

• Color Accuracy: Sometimes, the colours on your computer screen can look different when printed. Proofing helps you verify that your colours are true to your design.

• Layout Check: It allows you to confirm that all design elements, like margins and spacing, are exactly as you intended.

• Quality Assurance: A thorough proofing process ensures your final product is polished and professional.

• Feedback Opportunity: It gives you a chance to gather feedback from others before the final print, which can be especially useful if you’re self-publishing.

Now that you’ve got a handle on trim size, DPI, CMYK versus RGB, bleed, binding, gutter, offset and digital printing, paper weight, and proofing, you’re in a great place to create a book that’s as polished as your writing. These tips can help you sidestep costly mistakes and make every decision feel a little less daunting. If you’re ready to turn your manuscript into a beautifully printed book, Foglio Custom Book Specialists is here to help. Reach out today for expert advice that will take your self-publishing project to the next level!

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