The Best Book Sizes and Formats for Authors: Finding Your Perfect Fit

⏱️ Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Feeling stuck on which book size suits your project?

You’ve poured your heart into writing your book — but now comes the tricky part: deciding what size and format to print it in. It’s a choice that impacts not just the look and feel of your book but also printing costs, reader experience, and shelf appeal.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many authors wrestle with this decision. Having printed hundreds of short-run and perfect bound books across the UK, we’ve gathered some insights that might help you cut through the confusion and find the best fit for your work.

What Are the Most Popular Book Sizes for Authors?

Book sizes usually fall into a handful of common categories. These sizes have stuck around because they strike a reasonable balance between aesthetics, practicality, and how much they cost to print.

• Paperback Novels (A5, 148 x 210 mm): This is probably the most familiar choice, especially for fiction and memoirs. It feels just right in readers’ hands — not too big, not too small — and slips easily into bags without adding much bulk. Quite a few bestselling novels stick to this size, likely because it’s comfortable for long reading sessions.
• Trade Paperback (6″ x 9″ / 152 x 229 mm): Slightly larger than A5, this size is a favourite for non-fiction, cookbooks, and academic texts. It offers extra space for images, charts, or detailed layouts, which can make a big difference if your book isn’t just words on a page. You might notice a lot of business or self-help titles opt for this size.
• Square Formats (e.g., 210 x 210 mm): These are often chosen for photo books, children’s books, or art collections. The square shape stands out on shelves and invites readers to explore the visuals inside. Of course, it might not suit every project, but if your book is image-heavy, it’s worth considering.
• Smaller Sizes (A6, 105 x 148 mm): Compact and pocket-friendly, these are great for poetry chapbooks or quick reference guides. However, if your content needs more space to breathe, this size might feel cramped and less comfortable to read.

How Does Binding Type Influence Your Choice?

Binding isn’t just about keeping pages together — it actually shapes the whole reading experience. The way a book opens, how it wears over time, and even what it signals to readers can hinge on binding type.

• Perfect Binding: The most common option for authors, perfect binding glues the pages to a flat spine, giving a polished, professional look. It’s ideal for novels and most non-fiction books, especially if you want something that looks tidy on a shelf and allows for spine printing.
• Wiro Binding (Wire-O): This uses wire loops and is fantastic for workbooks or manuals where the book needs to lay flat on a table for easy note-taking or reference. It’s less formal but highly functional, so it’s a good call if usability is a priority.
• Stapled (Saddle Stitch): Often overlooked but still useful, saddle stitching involves stapling folded sheets along the spine. It works best for shorter booklets or pamphlets — say, up to about 64 pages. It’s cheaper but doesn’t offer the durability or flexibility of perfect binding.

What Paper Weight and Finish Should You Choose?

The paper you pick matters more than you might think. It affects how your book feels in the hand, how the text reads, and how images come across — especially with colour.

• Paper Weight: For novels, a lighter text paper around 90-120 GSM is typical. It’s opaque enough to prevent too much show-through but still flexible. If your book has lots of images, or you want a sturdier feel, heavier paper — somewhere between 150-200 GSM — is usually better. It makes colours pop and gives a more substantial impression.
• Finish: Matte finishes tend to give a soft, understated look without glare. They’re great if you want a subtle elegance and don’t want fingerprints to show easily. Gloss finishes, on the other hand, can make images and colours really vibrant but are prone to fingerprints and can reflect light in less flattering ways under certain lighting conditions.

Quick Tips for Choosing Your Book Size and Format

• Think hard about your target reader and how they’ll actually use your book. Will it be read mostly handheld on commutes, or displayed prominently on a coffee table?
• Printing costs can sneak up on you — bigger sizes and heavier paper usually mean higher expenses.
• Look into what sizes are standard in your book’s genre. Readers often have expectations, and sticking close to those can help your book feel familiar and inviting.
• If you’re self-publishing, short-run printing is a blessing. It lets you test different sizes or formats without sinking a fortune into a huge print run.
• Don’t overlook spine width — it depends on your page count and paper thickness. Getting this wrong can throw off your cover design and make your book look less professional.

A Real-World Example: Sarah’s Cookbook Journey

Sarah, a local chef, had a dream of self-publishing her own recipe book. At first, she thought a large format would make her food photos shine — maybe something oversized with a glossy finish. But after chatting with her printer and weighing the costs, she went with a 6″ x 9″ perfect bound book and 150 GSM matte paper. It was a smart compromise; the matte finish kept fingerprints at bay when readers handled it in the kitchen, while the paper weight showed her pictures in good colour without making the book unwieldy. Plus, the size kept printing costs manageable for her first batch of 500 copies. The finished product looked professional and was easy for readers to hold while flipping through recipes. Now, Sarah’s already planning a second edition with a few tweaks based on reader feedback.

Wrapping It Up: Finding Your Perfect Match

Choosing the right book size and format might feel a bit like wandering through a maze. But with some planning and thought about your content, your audience, and your budget, it’s definitely manageable. Remember, printing a small test run can help you see and feel the final product before committing to a big order.

Between perfect binding options, paper weights, and sizes that match your story, there’s plenty of room to create a book that feels just right — not too bulky, not too flimsy, but something readers will actually enjoy holding and reading.

Publishing your book is exciting — and yes, a little nerve-wracking. But nailing these details can turn it from just a book on a shelf into something truly cherished.

FAQ: Your Book Size and Format Questions Answered

What is the standard book size for novels?

The most common sizes for novels are A5 (148 x 210 mm) and trade paperback (6″ x 9″). These sizes provide a comfortable reading experience and tend to be cost-effective for printing.

How does perfect binding differ from wiro binding?

Perfect binding glues the pages to a flat spine, giving a sleek, professional look suited to novels and non-fiction. Wiro binding, using wire loops, allows the book to open flat, which is ideal for workbooks or manuals where ease of reference is important.

What paper weight should I choose for my book?

For mostly text-based books, 90-120 GSM is typical. If your book includes many images or you want a more premium feel, heavier paper around 150-200 GSM helps improve print quality and durability.

Can I mix formats in one print run?

Generally, print runs stick to one size and format to keep costs and production straightforward. But short-run printing does allow for experimentation across different editions or print runs.

Does the choice of book size affect shipping costs?

Yes, larger and heavier books usually cost more to ship, so factoring in shipping when budgeting is wise, especially if you plan to sell online or ship internationally.

Is matte or gloss finish better for book covers?

Matte finishes offer a subtle, fingerprint-resistant look, while gloss finishes make colours pop but can be shiny and prone to smudges. Your choice depends on your design preferences and target audience.

How do I calculate spine width for perfect binding?

Spine width depends on your page count and the GSM of your paper. Most printers provide formulas or templates to help you get this right, which is crucial for designing an accurately fitting cover.

What’s the benefit of short-run printing for authors?

Short-run printing lets you produce smaller quantities affordably, which is perfect for testing your book’s market appeal or managing cash flow when self-publishing. It reduces upfront costs and risk.

---

Updated on 13 November 2025

---

Ready to print? Contact Newstyle Print for a fast quote today.
Call 01572 771377 or email hello@newstyleprint.co.uk
Get a quote »