Basic Book Design
| What goes on the cover?Cover imageTitleAuthorPublishing info (Company or logo) | | Cover Image:This is probably the most important image choice you will make.Captivating & strongTrue to the content of the bookInclude space to comfortably incorporate text (title, author) | The book SPINE should carry the same information as the cover. | | Back coverYour choice!Often a big full-bleed imagePerhaps some type such as reviews, descriptions, etc.Perhaps just a blank color that blends well with your front cover. |
Presentation of interior images
| Thick Margin: * Classic, traditional presentation * “Quiet” * Top & side margins are equal. * Bottom margin slightly larger | | Thin Margin * More contemporary * Bolder | | Full Bleed * “Bleed” means that the images flows off the page on all side. * Very bold, “loud,” dynamic * Notice the magenta trim line (picture extends beyond the trim line) | | Gutter Bleed (full)This image bleeds across the gutterThe gutter centers the bleed | | Gutter Bleed (equal margin)This image bleeds across the gutter |
| Interior image presentation, continued | | | Gutter Bleed (offset)This image bleeds across the gutter | | Gutter Bleed (multiple image)This image bleeds across the gutter |
General Layout Tips & Tricks | | The image above shows: Front/ back cover dust jacket, spine, and inside front/ back flaps of the dust jacket. This view is called a “full spread.” * Pink area: these areas will be trimmed OFF in the bookmaking process. Be sure to keep all of your images & text at least ¼” away from the trim lines * Position of text/picture boxes: You have full control over everything! You can move things around or make them bigger/smaller as you wish. Simply click on the page you’d like to change, then click on the “Edit Layout” button at the top of the Booksmart page. * | | * Text-safe area: Keep all text a minimum of .25” from the edge of the page. Blurb provides text safe guides within their layouts. * Trim: Some of your book will be trimmed off after it is printed. Blurb provides trim lines within their layouts. | | Spreads: “Spread” refers to the side-by-side presentation of your pages/photos when the book is opened.Interior Margin: Make your interior margin about ½” bigger than your exterior (outer side) margins) | | Cover & Page views: * You can view your book one page at a time, by spread, or see the whole layout in one “snapshot.” * Just click the view you want. |
Other considerations:
| * Placing your page numbersMost common place to place your page numbers is on the outside edge of your pagesIt’s up to you, however.Scan through some of the book examples on BLURB for ideas. * | | | In cases where there is a full-page bleed, consider leaving th epage number off all together. |
Type & Type Treatment
| Basic Text FontsWhich do you like better: Serif or Sans Serif? | | Headline FontsUse these very sparingly.Good options include your title, and perhaps section introductionsNOT for captions or general text.It’s visual overkill. | | Consider choosing a Font FamilyFont families include several styles of the basic font.The more styles, the more range and flexibility.Look for a font w/a large family. | | TrackingTracking increases (or decreases) the space between individual letters in a word. | | LeadingLeading is the space between your lines of textIt can be wide and “airy” (left), orTight and compact (right) | | | 