Does your book cover artwork end up cropped, out of focus, or rejected by the printer? Poor design is seldom to blame. Wrong dimensions are typically to blame. This guide explains exactly what to do for the right size and print-ready steps so your book cover prints correctly the first time.
Get precise templates and customize printing in a matter of minutes without having to worry about rejection. Quality book cover printing for retail delivery, delivered quickly and shipped all over the US.
The most popular sizes for front panel trade paperback books are 5″ x 8″, 5.5″ x 8.5″ and 6″ x 9″. The back cover, spine and front cover make up a full wraparound book cover, as one flat file. The width of the spine will vary with the number of pages and paper stock and is not a standard width. The main reason indie books are returned for reprint is these measurements being off.
Prints should be 0.125″ bleed all around to ensure that the colors extend to the edges of the book cover. The cut position is referred to as the trim line and the safe zone is the area that protects text and logos from the cut. If either of these is missing, you’ll end up with either cropped art or white borders.
The minimum for printing is 300 DPI. Average web-size pictures are approximately 72 DPI and get fuzzy when printed large. Always use CMYK colours and embed your fonts to prevent any colour shifting during production.
There are several book cover types. Paperback covers are made from flexible cardstock and wrap around the book. Print media wrapping or hardcover board with a dust jacket is used to cover hardcover books. For short guides, proposals and promotional editions, saddle-stitched booklets and softcover wraps are more economical.
Some retailers or distributors may require a specific book cover format based on the type of shelving and distribution, etc. Verify this early to align with bookstore and online distributors’ needs.
Paperbacks make the best retail books and are widely distributed. Hardbound with a dust jacket are perfect for collectibles, gifts and high quality editions. Booklets and small softcover wraps are good for bulk giving, workbooks and event handouts. Choosing the right book cover format will help to cut the cost of reprinting the book.
Custom book cover printing comes in various quantities, paper stocks and finishes. The price per copy is higher for short runs (25-100 copies) and orders of more than 500 copies are sold at a sudden drop in price per copy. The book cover may be laminated (matte, gloss, foil or spot UV) for a minimal additional cost and the end product will be a book that will stand out on a shelf.
Cover stock protects your book during shipment and handling. Heavier cover stock (usually 10pt or greater) will be more resistant to bending and scuffing. For those authors seeking a sustainable brand, Kraft paper is a natural option that’s good for the environment. A gloss stock will bring out the colors, while a matte stock will be easy on the eye in store lighting.
In 1915, a man donated 130 books to the library and it continues to be a tradition for patrons to donate books, sign them and in turn be signed by others. Although ebooks and audiobooks are gaining in popularity, people still enjoy collecting, signing and giving printed books. It’s a consistent demand that makes the demand for high-quality book covers remain robust.
Print ready PDF (PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4) is most preferred by most printers. If the printer is a design service, native files from Adobe InDesign (INDD), Photoshop (PSD) or Illustrator (AI) may be supported. Verify all colors are embedded in the CMYK color system by reviewing your book cover file before sending it.
They can be easily corrected before your book cover file is sent and can save days of turnaround time.
Vexa Packaging converts your artwork into a print-ready book cover with proven templates, accurate bleed settings, and the best stock choices. No more guesswork and reprint delays like so many independent releases get caught in. Contact us by email at inquiry@vexapackaging.com.
Got a question? Take a look at our FAQs about the custom packaging process.
Common front cover sizes are 5" x 8", 5.5" x 8.5", and 6" x 9". To make up for a full wraparound cover, include the back cover, paper width (depending on paper type and page count), and bleed. Be sure to see your printer's template, as sizes may differ slightly between printers.
Yes. Include 0.125" of bleed margins on all four sides so the background colors will go all the way to the edge of the book. If not, a thin white border may show around the cut edges.
Yes. The typical printer can handle runs of 25 to 50 units. Small runs are more expensive than large runs, but are appropriate for proof copies, advance reader copies, and limited releases.
