I recently received a request for printing information from a reader who asked: I am getting ready to print my memoirs. I’m using Word and trying to figure out what typeface and type size to use. Also, what are the best margins to use? Are there any sources which might provide suggestions about the basics […]

I recently received a request for printing information from a reader who asked: I am getting ready to print my memoirs. I’m using Word and trying to figure out what typeface and type size to use. Also, what are the best margins to use? Are there any sources which might provide suggestions about the basics of good book design?

Here is what I wrote back in response to the basics of good book design:

You must provide enough information in your note for me to reply to you with any precision about basics of good book design.

• Are you looking to design a hard copy or an e-reader publication?

If hard copy, will you be choosing Print on Demand or a local printer?

• POD publishers generally have a list of specs for you to follow and so the requirements are handed to you. Follow them.
• If you are going to a local printer, you will probably have to make the decisions yourself.

Peruse some books you like and inspect the margins, the headers, the footers, and the drop of the chapter title on its page. Imitate what you see if you like it. Learning the basics of good book design is available to you for the asking.

As to size:

• In an e-reader, the font size can be changed by the person reading and so size is not important.
• In hard copy, you would want a 12 or 14 size print depending on the font you chose. A size 14 in one font can be almost the same size as a 12 in another.

As to font type, remember that a serif type has the lines at the bottom of letters. A sans serif (French for without serif) has no serif. The type to use:

• for the text, you need a serif as it is an easier font to read. We use Times New Roman a lot.
• for headers and footers and chapter titles, you can use sans-serif.

Your choices ought to be based on making the reading easy. Readability rules! (Limit the variety of fonts to two.) Pass your text around to several people and see how they respond. If not favorably, make other choices.

The Memoir Network offers book publication services. Our pages offer you more information on pre-publication tasks you can undertake yourself.

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What has your experience been with preparing a book for publishing ? What more—or perhaps different—information on the basics of good book design might you have provided this reader? Please leave comments below.