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Contrast
In order for your page layout to be visually appealing and to keep the readers
interest, you should have contrast on your pages. Notice
the use of contrast on this page, color, font size, font style, and
bold headings. Use a contrasting type for headings, keep the
headings very different from the body type. Don't go overboard, use
one type for the body copy and a different one for the headings.
Consider a newspaper and how the headings are larger and
bolder.
Alignment
Choose
one justification and stick to it. As a rule, center justification
will give the page layout a formal look. It is commonly used for wedding
invitations, formal announcements, etc. Left justification will give your
book a more conservative professional look. Full justification within the
layout will give
your book a clean orderly look. With full justification, your
headings could be either left, right, or centered on the page.
Repetition
Create
a sense of unity throughout your book by adding a few visual
elements that you like, then repeat them throughout your book. Look through
some of your favorite books to see
what they have used on the pages; you may get some inspiration. Perhaps a decorative
ornament under the heading of each chapter, or a decorative drop cap to start
each chapter might give your book a special look.
Proximity
Organize
your type properly by grouping text together that relates to each
other. Compare these two examples:
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| It is important to choose a
page layout style, and follow
it consistently throughout your book. As a reference tool, we have provided a
number of recommended page layout examples complete with font and margin
settings at the end of this page.
Using the following information will help ensure a
professional page layout and a file that is ready for print.
"...choose
a page layout style, and follow it consistently..."
Software
First of
all, we recommend using a word processing software which you are familiar with.
Take time to familiarize yourself with basic keyboard functions and toolbar
commands. Microsoft Word is easily the most popular software for creating a page
layout and is widely available.
Page Size
Choose a
page size which is appropriate for your style of book. For example, a family
history book or school yearbook is commonly printed in an 8 ½” x 11” size
format, while books such as novels, autobiographies, and poetry, are commonly printed in
the standard 5 ½” x 8 ½” format. If you have any questions regarding the proper
page dimensions for your particular book, please contact
us.
Margins, Header/Footers
When
setting the margins for your pages, it is important to not set them less than ¾”
to ensure a proper distance between the printing and the edge of the page. We recommend that when choosing a margin setting
for your page layout,
you should allow 1/8” extra for the binding edge. For example, if you have
selected a margin setting of ¾” for the top, bottom, and right hand side of
the page, the left hand, or binding edge should be set at 7/8”. This makes the
text appear balanced on the page when the book is bound. Microsoft Word uses a measurement
which is referred to as a gutter. When using the gutter, margins should
all be set at ¾" with a gutter measurement of .2". Care should also be taken when
placing information in the headers or footers, such as chapter heading or page
numbers, that sufficient room remains between the edge of the print and the edge
of the page. A header/footer measurement of ½”
is a common setting for a standard page layout.
If you are using Microsoft Word for your page layout, you may find our tutorials helpful
° Create Different Headers for Odd and Even
Pages
° Delete a single Header
Hard Page Returns
When transferring manuscript files from one computer to another, it is
not uncommon for errors to occur in the page layout of the manuscript. The most
common page layout error is a problem referred to as text re-flow. Re-flow is the
repositioning or shifting of text and images which may occur when a file is opened using a computer
other than on the one it was created with. There are a number of causes for text
re-flow, but it is most directly related to the fonts which are used. A hard page return placed at the bottom of
each page creates an invisible barrier to ensure that text and images remain on
the page they were intended. Hard page returns are inserted by positioning
the cursor at the bottom of the page and pressing the Ctrl > Enter keys
together. It is highly recommended that this be done as often as possible
throughout the
manuscript. Hard page returns are not necessary when submitting a PDF file. PDF
is an acronym for "Portable Document Format". Once a file has
been converted into a PDF, it can be opened on any computer without
problems such as text or photograph shifting. You can create your own
PDF file with the proper software. For a free download of PDF software, click
here.
Setting Type
When typing your manuscript, forget everything you learned in typing
class. Computers have come a long way from the typewriter, and the rules
for professional page layout are different. Here are just some basic
layout rules.
Only use one space after periods.
Indent paragraphs one em space. This is equal to
approximately two spaces.
Choose either a double space between paragraphs, or an indent. Do
not use both.
If you are choosing to indent your paragraphs, you need not indent
the first one of each chapter.
Watch for hyphenated words at the end of each line. If there
are too many, you may want to
adjust your kerning.
Fonts
Choosing
font styles for your book is very important for both the appearance
and for transferring files for printing. The most common fonts used for books
are the Oldstyle fonts, as they are easily readable for large body
copy. Among the most common are Times Roman, Goudy, Garamond, and
Baskerville. Remember to choose a contrasting font for your headings.
A sans serif font such as Arial is a common choice. A sans serif font is
one without the "hooks" at the ends of each letter. These
"hooks" help to guide the eye from one letter to another making
the text easily readable. This is why sans serif fonts such as Arial
should never be used for the main body of the text. Children's books are commonly set in a slab serif font, because of their
clean straight lines. Some common Slab serif fonts are New Century
Schoolbook, Classic SSK, and Clarendon.
Oldstyle
Slab Serif Arial
In regard to printing, it is important to ensure that all
fonts being used are resident in your Windows font folder. This includes both
bold and italicized versions of each font. Simply using the bold or italicize
commands on the toolbar may not necessarily ensure the font is available. For
example, Microsoft Word will manufacture its own version of a font if it is
not already installed on your computer. If this is done, the bold font will
appear to be two images side by side when printed on a high quality digital press. The
italicized versions may not print at all. The simple solution to font problems
is to avoid unusual fonts such as Wing Dings and Symbol, and stay with more
common book fonts such as Garamond and Times New Roman. Fonts are also selected
to add or reduce the number of pages in a book. For example, Garamond is a
wide font which should be used to bulk up the book with more pages.
Changing the font from Times New Roman to Garamond could increase the page
count an average of 20 - 30%.
Copyright
/ ISBN / CIP
Information
such as copyright, ISBN, CIP, and Library of Congress should be placed on the
page directly after the title page. Our professionals will check to make sure
the information on this page is correctly laid out before your book goes
into print. To obtain information on copyright, ISBN, and CIP,
click
here.
Page Numbers/Chapter Headings
The title
page and chapter headings should always be placed on a right hand page. It may
be necessary to leave a left hand page blank in order to start a chapter as a
right hand page. Inserting a section break at the end of each chapter will
automatically force the following chapter to begin in the proper right hand
position. When numbering the pages in your book, you should also keep in mind
that right hand pages are always odd number pages while left hand pages are even
numbers. It is also common to number the pages preceding the first chapter with
roman numerals.
If
you have any questions regarding page layout, please call us toll free at
1-866-944-2999.
Page
Layout Templates
Book Page Layout
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