Does size really matter when it comes to book covers? After all, part of the creative writing process is that you are the artist and can design your masterpiece with any unique parts as you see fit.
While the above is true, the book publishing industry has recommended book cover sizes that will affect your range of distribution. There are various service providers used for book printing and distribution and each has different book cover dimensions, but the following is a good rule of thumb.
Black and White Black & White Books (printed on cream or white paper):
Full-Color Books (printed on white paper):
5’ x 8’ (12.7 x 20.32 cm)
5.5’ x 8.5’ (13.97 x 21.59 cm)
6’ x 9’ (15.24 x 22.86 cm)
5.5’ x 8.5’ (13.97 x 21.59 cm)
6’ x 9’ (15.24 x 22.86 cm)
Keep in mind that print on demand service providers such as Amazon offer Expanded Distribution. (Expanded distribution means that Amazon, for example, will offer your book to online retailers like Barnes & Noble if you choose standard sizes listed above). You can use your creative muscle to create a book of any size, but when you go outside of the service provider’s standard sizes, you risk limiting your distribution.
If you’re a Fruition Publishing Concierge Services’ client we have you covered. Contact us today and make sure your work is in compliance and publishing is made simple.
P.S. If your book includes illustrations such as a children’s book, your book size should be determined before the illustrated starts his or her work. If not, this could result in the illustrations having to be edited and recreated to fit the recommended industry size.
Alesha Brown, CEO, Fruition Publishing Concierge Services
Editor-in-Chief, Published! Magazine
Award-Winning Entrepreneur|Publisher|Transformational Speaker
