Before You Start

Choosing the finished size you would like for your book should be one of the first tasks before you begin to compose the text. Setting the correct page size in your computer software to match the size of your book is essential if technical problems such as text reflowing are to avoided further down the track. If you are in any doubt please feel free to contact us we are only too pleased to advise you.

Book Sizes

Most commercially produced books comform to certain basic sizes. In New Zealand the most popular is A4 (210 x 297mm) and A5 (148.5 x 210mm). Many other sizes are available such as B4 or B5. The basic reasoning behind these sizes is that the paper manufacturers also use this sizing system and therefore , for example, a press sheet of A1 size can be cut into 9 A4 sheets with no wastage. Therefore, to minimise waste, an ultimately the cost of the book, if is important to adhere to this sizing standard unless your book needs to be an oddball size for a specific reason. It goes without saying that the more wastage per sheet the more the paper cost for the book will be.

Paper Type

Bookprinting.co.nz has access to all New Zealands major paper merchants and a wide range of paper choices is available for the printing of your book. In practice most books tend to be printed on Offset/laser paper, Matt or Gloss art paper or recycled paper .

Offset/laser is the standard paper that such items as letterhead are normally printed on. It is an economical paper which is highly suited to paperback books, manuals, price books and the like. Coated papers such as Matt or Gloss art papers come in a variety of weights and are more suited to higher quality books containing photographs for example. Different types of paper can be combined, for example, you may wish to have text on offset paper but with a centre section of photos printed on art paper. Recycled paper is another option for those wanting a more off white finish or for those

Paper Weights

Consideration should be given to the paper weight used in your book. If you are writing a novel for example, with several hundred pages then a heavy weight paper is not practical as it would make the book very thick and heavy for the user. As a general rule of thumb 90gsm would be the heaviest weight for a paperback book or 130gsm for a book printed on art paper..

Covers & Dust Jackets

With paperback books where the cover is affixed directly to the spine of the book then normally a 300gsm paper would be suitable, also 250gsm is popular for books where the lifespan may be shorter, conference handbooks for example, which may only need to last a week or so. Wrap around dust jackets are normally printed on 150gsm paper. Consideration should be given as to whether a dust jacket is essential if price is a consideration as some sizes need to be printed on special printing machines which can substantially add to the cost of the book especially on short runs.