08/20/2026
Designing a book cover is only half the battle when bringing your manuscript to life!
Before you hit print, here are 5 crucial printing decisions every author needs to make to ensure the final product looks and feels professional:
โข ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ง๐๐ฝ๐ฒ & ๐๐ผ๐น๐ผ๐ฟ: Standard white or warm cream? White works best for non-fiction, images, and heavy graphics, while cream is gentler on the eyes for fiction and memoirs.
โข ๐ง๐ฟ๐ถ๐บ ๐ฆ๐ถ๐๐ฒ: From standard 5.5โ \times 8.5โ trade paperbacks to larger 6โ \times 9โ volumes or pocket-sized formats, your choice impacts both reader experience and print costs.
โข ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐๐๐น๐ฒ: Paperbacks (perfect bound) are cost-effective and standard, but hardcovers (case wrap or dust jacket) add a premium feel for special editions.
โข ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ต: Matte paper prevents glare for text-heavy reads, while high-gloss or satin finishes make illustrations and photographs pop.
โข ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป (๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด): A matte cover gives a soft, modern, elegant feel, whereas a glossy cover offers vibrant colors and extra durability against scuffs.
Which of these decisions are you currently working on for your next release? Drop a comment below!
