Trim size refers to the physical dimensions of your printed book (length and width measured in inches). Here are some things to consider when choosing a trim size:
- Book genre/type. Usually, trade paperbacks are 5.5” x 8.5”, nonfiction books are 6” x 9” or 7” x 10”, textbooks are 8” x 10” or 8.5” x 11”, and children’s books are 8.25” x 8.25” or 8” x 10”. However, these are just general guidelines—choose any trim size you like.
- Book length. As trim size increases, so does the number of words that fit on each page. Your printed book may be thinner with a larger trim size and thicker with a smaller trim size.
- Text/image size. Larger trim sizes (which have more page space) might be preferable for books with big, detailed images or large-print text.
We recommend 5.5” x 8.5” as an appropriate trim size for most titles.