The different book printing orientations explained
When it comes to printing your book, you will be faced with a number of choices regarding its physical shape and proportions. You might want to consider conventional sizes that relate to the kind of book it is, for instance a novel, a magazine or a photography digest.
The shape of book you print can largely be dictated by convention, but the decision can often come down to how the book will be used.
Here we have listed some of the more popular book formats and orientations from which to choose.
Portrait books
By far the most common orientation for books is portrait. Obvious, because it allows for single column type setting to be printed and read in the most convenient format. Think of a novel being held in one hand and read by someone on the train.
A portrait book is taller than it is wide. Typically a novel is printed 7” high and 5” wide, or a magazine size being 11” high and 8.5” wide. Most books are printed in this orientation as they take up less shelf depth when stacked, so are easier to store.
Portrait book binding techniques are also the most cost-effective to produce due to the specialist equipment that is engineered towards producing portrait print in large numbers.
Landscape books
Landscape book printing is less widely used but is an effective way of presenting images or making detailed information easier to understand. Horizontal in aspect, a landscape page can effectively present artwork or photography at a larger scale.
Think of a coffee table photo book in glossy print and hard cover that is intended to be enjoyed at leisure.
This orientation has its place in less formal settings like children’s story books, to allow multiple viewers to enjoy seeing the pages and images at the same time. The wide orientation means that it can rest open on one’s lap or held open more easily too.
Square book
A square book format is less commonly seen. However, a square shaped book is an eye-catching alternative to presenting written and graphic information, as it draws attention to the centre of each page, making it a popular choice for books that are image heavy.
The range of acceptable sizes for square books can be varied, as they can be easily stacked alongside a variety of more conventional book shapes on a shelf.
Oversized books
Should you wish to produce a book that is larger than conventional dimensions, it is perfectly possible. Modern digital book printing techniques make it is easier than ever to design and produce oversized books.
Oversized books are commonly used by photographers or reference publications. A book considered “oversized” might be 14” wide and 18” high with many pages and could have a hard cover to protect it for many decades.
Mini books
Also known as a pocket-sized book, a mini book can be slipped into a pocket or handbag when a person is on the move. They might be as small as 3.5” wide and 4” high and can used for many purposes from first aid manuals to travel guides.
Any book that you might want to refer to from time to time might be printed in mini format, for instance an instruction manual. Other printed items that have a shorter shelf life might be produced in a small size too, such as event programmes, pocket calendars or promotional publications.
The size and shape of a book will often have a direct relationship to the kind of publication it is. Come and talk to us about your print ideas, where you will get the very best advice from our many years working closely with publishers, self-publishers and authors. We have an experienced team who will manage your project in-house from start to finish using the very latest digital and litho printing technology and binding equipment.
Please call 01525 621742 or e-mail for further assistance.