Designing the interior of a book is an important part because it largely determines the readability of your book. From choosing the right format and typography to integrating images and graphs, everything contributes to this. Read here what you should pay attention to when designing the interior of a book.
Tools
Indesign
The most widely used and professional program for designing book covers and interiors is Adobe InDesign. This program offers extensive options for managing pages, typography, images and graphs. Although it requires some knowledge and can be difficult to use for beginners, it is worth investing time and attention.
Canva
Another program that allows you to design an interior that we often see with our customers is Canva. Canva is an easy-to-use tool that is ideal for designing the inside of a book. This program is available in an unpaid and paid version. You can start with the unpaid version where you can use a limited number of templates. Add text boxes, images, and graphics using Canva’s extensive library of fonts and illustrations. The intuitive interface makes it easy to edit and move elements. Once you are happy with the design, download the file in PDF format, ready for printing.
Word
Microsoft Word is still a widely used program for formatting internal documents. With this tool you can start setting the correct page size and margins via ‘Page Layout’ to create a professional layout. Use the style options to ensure consistency in headings, subheadings and text paragraphs, which also helps automatically generate a table of contents. Add images, tables and other graphic elements via ‘Insert’ and ensure high quality and correct alignment. Use section breaks and page breaks to start new chapters on a new page. Special formatting, such as swashes at the beginning of a chapter, can give your book a unique look. Check your interior carefully for errors and use the ‘Print Preview’ function to see the end result. Don’t forget to submit the document in PDF when you want to print your book.
Structure and layout
Making a sketch
Start by making a sketch of the interior. This helps visualize the layout and determine the placement of text and images. Use digital sketching programs to explore different layout options.
Size of the page
Choose the size of the page based on the genre and target audience of your book. Common formats are A5 or 17×24 cm for novels and A4 for non-fiction and study books. When designing the pages, it is important to pay attention to the type surface and the page surface. The type area is the area where the text and images are located, while the page area includes the entire layout of the page including margins. A good balance between typeface and page surface ensures an attractive and readable layout.
Typography
Font and size
Choose a font that matches the style of the book. The most commonly used fonts for running texts are serif types such as Times New Roman or Garamond. Also determine the fonts for headers. Headings and subheadings must be clearly distinguishable from the body text. That is why you choose a different font for this. Remember to apply different styles for the headings and subheadings. For example, use a bold or italic version of the chosen font. This can clarify the hierarchy of information in your book and better guide the reader through the content.
Based on the chosen font, you also choose the correct font size. A common font size in publications usually varies between 10 and 12 points. It is important that the text is large enough to read comfortably, while at the same time not being too large, which can actually reduce readability.
Line spacing and alignment
Line spacing plays a role in promoting the readability of your book. Suitable line spacing helps to make the text easy to read and prevents reader fatigue. In general, a line spacing of 1.15 to 1.50 times the font size is recommended. Experiment with different line spacings to determine what best suits the style and format of your book. In addition, you can increase readability with the alignment. Also depending on your own preference, you can choose left-aligned text or justified text.
Page numbering
Adding page numbers and headings is important to improve navigation and overview in your book. Page numbers help readers easily navigate through the book and find specific pages. Headings, such as chapter titles or book titles, provide orientation and context for reading. Make sure page numbers and headings are clear and legible on each page.
Footers
Footers are ideal for including footnotes, references, or additional information that don’t fit directly into the main text. Keep footers short and relevant to minimize distractions and improve readability. Ensure footers are applied consistently and presented in a clear manner.
Imagery
Inserting and posting images
The placement of images should be done carefully with the aim that they do not disrupt reading, but complement the text. So choose images that are relevant to the content and place them in logical locations within the text. Make sure the images are high resolution (preferably 300 dpi) to ensure sharp print quality and avoid appearing too large or too small.
Graphs and tables
Graphs and tables are valuable tools for visually displaying complex information and making it understandable for the reader. Ensure that graphs and tables are clear and easy to understand by using consistent styles (possibly corporate identity) and ensuring that they fit well within the layout of the page. Clearly label graphs and tables and add a legend if necessary to clarify the information.
Preparing for print
Are you ready to deliver your book to us? We would like to receive this in a PDF file in a few pages. As discussed, you should allow for a 5mm bleed so that there is no chance of the text being cut off. The text may only consist of black. So this is the K from CMYK. Make sure that there are no RGB colors in the file, because these colors are only suitable for screens.
Do you have any further questions?
Do you have any further questions about preparing an interior, the delivery specifications of the interior or perhaps another question about the writing process and book printing?? Please contact our specialists! We support you in every step of the writing process, because it is also our priority to make your new book a success!
