Paperback book 6 x 9 in mockup and print template

Parts of a book

This template covers a book's outer cover: hardcover, paperback and saddle-stitched magazine, in common trim sizes. The cover is laid out as one wrap, back, spine and front, which is how printers ask for it. Use it to see a cover in 3D for a launch post or a store listing, and to plan the wrap before your designer builds the final file to your printer's spine width and allowances.

Front cover

Title, author and the main image. The panel people see first, online and on a shelf.

Spine

Title and author, read top to bottom in most English-language books. Its width depends on page count and paper.

Back cover

Blurb, author note, price and the barcode area.

Boards (hardcover)

Stiff greyboard covered by the printed wrap. They overhang the pages by about 3 mm; the studio models this.

Page block

The inside pages. The studio shows the page edges; inside pages are not designed here.

How to size it

1. Pick the trim size and binding in the studio, then set the thickness to match your page block.
2. Get the spine width from your printer. It depends on the page count and the paper, and a guess of even 1 or 2 mm shows on the shelf.
3. For paperbacks and magazines, add 3 mm bleed on the outer edges and keep text 5 mm or more inside the trim and away from the spine folds.
4. For hardcovers, the printed wrap folds around the boards. Printers usually add about 15 to 20 mm of turn-in on every edge and a hinge gap beside the spine: use the figures they give you.
5. Make cover images about 300 dpi at the full wrap size.

Materials and finishes

Coated art card, about 250 to 300 gsm

Paperback covers. Usually laminated for wear.

Greyboard about 2 to 3 mm, wrapped in 130 to 170 gsm art paper

Hardcover cases. Strong and long lasting.

Uncoated paper

A softer, natural feel for literary covers and journals. Colours print duller than on coated stock.

Inside pages, about 70 to 80 gsm

The usual weight for text pages (often maplitho in India). Coated paper suits photo-heavy books and magazines.

Finishes

Matte or gloss lamination

Protects the cover from scuffs. Matte for a calm look, gloss for vivid photos.

Spot UV, foil and embossing

Highlights a title or logo. Keep foil details thicker than about 0.3 mm.

Mistakes to avoid

• Guessing the spine width: the title slides onto the front or back. Get the exact width from your printer once the page count is final.
• No barcode space: an ISBN barcode needs a clear white area on the back cover, usually near the bottom.
• Text close to the spine folds or the trim: it gets cut or wraps around the edge. Keep a 5 mm safe margin.
• A magazine page count that is not a multiple of 4: saddle-stitched books are built from folded sheets of 4 pages.
• Designing a hardcover wrap without turn-ins: the artwork stops at the board edge and raw board shows.

How to make it in the studio

1. Open it. Press Customise this paperback book 6 x 9 in. It opens in the 3D studio at 152 x 229 x 24 mm.
2. Set the size. In the Size panel, pick a preset or type your own measurements.
3. Add your design. In the Design panel, upload your logo or artwork: it goes on the front first. Pick other faces to add colours, text or images to each.
4. Check it in 3D. Turn the pack around. Switch to the flat print view to see the artwork on the print file.
5. Download. The Download panel gives you the print template first, then mockup images for your store or social posts.
6. Get it made. If you want a quote, send the design to packitmama from the Download panel, and we will reply personally.

Questions