You can print a variety of trim sizes to suit your individual project needs. Below is a chart of the recommended trim sizes, formats and text colors we offer. For each trim size, you can choose a cover with matte or glossy finish.
Recommended Trim Sizes
• Traditional sizes for fiction or narrative non-fiction books:
- 4” x 6”
- 4.25” x 7” (Popular Mass Market paperback size, like books you see in grocery stores and airports)
- 4.37” x 7”
- 5" x 8"
- 5.06” x 7.81”
- 5.25” x 8”
- 5.5” x 8.25” (Popular Trade paperback size, like books found in bookstores)
- 5.5" x 8.5"
- 5.83” x 8.27” (Popular UK size)
- 6" x 9" (Popular Trade hardcover size, as found everywhere)
- 6.14” x 9.21”
• Traditional sizes for cookbooks or other designed books:
- 7" x 10"
- 7.5" x 9.25"
- 8” x 8”
- 8" x 10"
- 8.25” x 11”
- 8.268” x 11.693” (Popular UK size)
- 8.5" x 8.5"
- 8.5” x 11”
• Traditional sizes for children’s books:
- 11" x 8.5"
- 8.25” x 11”
- 8.268” x 11.693” (Popular UK size)
Note: The minimum page count for all trim sizes is 18 pages. The maximum page count for all trim sizes is 800, with the exception of the 11”x8.5” trim size, which has a maximum of 400 pages.
Unfortunately, we cannot customize the trim sizes outside of what is listed here.
To set your trim and page sizes in Microsoft Word, follow the instructions below:
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Select the Page Design tab.
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In the Page Setup group, select Size and click the icon that represents the page size that you want. For example, click Letter (Portrait) 8.5 x 11". If you don’t see the size you want, either click More Preset Page Sizes or click Create New Page Size to create a custom page size.
These instructions are also provided on the Microsoft Support page here.
Interior Ink Qualities
- Black &White – Most economical, printed on 50-lb paper in cream or white
- Standard Color – Standard color quality, printed on 50-lb or 70-lb white paper
- Premium Color – Highest color quality with more vivid color, printed on 70-lb white paper
Paper Color and Weights
- Cream 50-lb – Available for B&W interiors, best suited for text-heavy books
- White 50-lb – Available for B&W and standard color books
- White 70-lb — Available for premium color options
Standard vs. Premium Color
Full Premium color books tend to be illustrated children’s book or a comic book with a lower page count. Very expensive art books typically print using this option as well. The photo and illustration output is going to be higher quality than the standard color.
Standard color books can be printed on 50- or 70-lb paper. 50-lb paper is ideal for books with some minor artwork but at a more economical price point than the thicker, 70-lb paper. Additional paper thickness is useful for art books, children’s books, or anything with heavy ink coverage, as the thicker paper will prevent bleed-through.
Available Trim Sizes
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| Trim Size | Cover Format | Dust Jacket/ | Print color | Paper color |
| Printed Case | ||||
| 4 x 6 | Paperback | None | B&W Color |
B&W: White 50-lb / Cream 50-lb |
| Standard Color: White 50-lb / White 70-lb | ||||
| Premium Color: White 70-lb | ||||
| 4.25 x 7 | Paperback | None | B&W Color |
B&W: White 50-lb / Cream 50-lb |
| Standard Color: White 50-lb / White 70-lb | ||||
| Premium Color: White 70-lb | ||||
| 4.37 x 7 | Paperback | None | B&W Color |
B&W: White 50-lb |
| Standard Color: White 50-lb / White 70-lb | ||||
| 5 x 8 | Paperback Hardcover |
Both | B&W Color |
B&W: White 50-lb / Cream 50-lb |
| Standard Color: White 50-lb / White 70-lb | ||||
| Premium Color: White 70-lb | ||||
| 5.06 x 7.81 | Paperback | None | B&W Color |
B&W: White 50-lb |
| Standard Color: White 50-lb / White 70-lb |
