Set Trim Size, Bleed, and Margins - Kindle Direct Publishing

Contents:

A few key terms before you start:

• Trim size. Your printed book's width and height. The most common trim size for books in the US is 6" x 9" (152.4 x 228.6 mm), but you have several other options. Books with a measurement more than 6.12 inches (155.5 mm) or more than 9 inches (228.6 mm) in height are considered large trim sizes.
• Bleed. Bleed is a printing term that refers to when printed objects on a page, such as images, background color, or graphics, extend past where the publication will be trimmed. Setting your bleed properly ensures printed objects reach all the way to the edge of the page. Accounting for bleed is important, because it prevents a white border from appearing at the edge of the page when the book is trimmed.
• Margins. Every page has three outside margins (top, bottom, and side) and one inside margin (also called the gutter). Margins ensure your text isn&#;t cut off during manufacturing. Set your trim size before you set your margins, since margin size depends on page count and on whether you have elements that bleed.

Trim Size

You can choose from a variety of trim sizes to set the size of your printed book. The most common trim size for paperbacks in the U.S. is 6 x 9 inches (152.4 x 228.6 mm) and is a regular trim size. The size of your book will determine its page count, and there are minimum and maximum page counts by size, which are listed in the

Books with a measurement more than 6.12 inches (155.5 mm) in width or more than 9 inches (228.6 mm) in height are considered large trim sizes and have different printing costs than regular trim sizes. Learn more about printing costs for

Note: To set your trim size, you typically need to adjust the page or paper size setting in your chosen software (for example, Microsoft Word).

You can

Trim size specifications (width x height) with minimum and maximum page counts(kdp.amazon.com)

uprintingplus supply professional and honest service.

 

Paperback

 

Trim Size

Black ink and white paper

Black ink and cream paper

Standard color ink and white paper

Premium color ink and white paper

5" x 8" (12.7 x 20.32 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

5.06" x 7.81" (12.85 x 19.84 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

5.25" x 8" (13.34 x 20.32 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

5.5" x 8.5" (13.97 x 21.59 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

Large Trim Sizes

6.14" x 9.21" (15.6 x 23.39 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

6.69" x 9.61" (16.99 x 24.41 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

7" x 10" x (17.78 x 25.4 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

7.44" x 9.69" (18.9 x 24.61 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

7.5" x 9.25" (19.05 x 23.5 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

8" x 10" (20.32 x 25.4 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

8.25" x 6" (20.96 x 15.24 cm)

24 - 800

24 - 750

72 - 600

24 - 800

8.25" x 8.25" (20.96 x 20.96 cm)

24 - 800

24 - 750

72 - 600

24 - 800

8.5" x 8.5" (21.59 x 21.59 cm)

24 - 590

24 - 550

72 - 600

24 - 590

8.5" x 11" (21.59 x 27.94 cm)

24 - 590

24 - 550

72 - 600

24 - 590

8.27" x 11.69" (21 x 29.7 cm)

24 - 780

24 - 730

Not available

24 - 590

 

Hardcover

 

Trim Size

Black ink and white paper

Black ink and cream paper

Standard color ink and white paper

Premium color ink and white paper

5.5" x 8.5" (13.97 x 21.59 cm)

75 - 550

75 - 550

Not available

75 - 550

6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm)

75 - 550

75 - 550

Not available

75 - 550

Large Trim Sizes

6.14" x 9.21" (15.6 x 23.39 cm)

75 - 550

75 - 550

Not available

75 - 550

7" x 10" (17.78 x 25.4 cm)

75 &#; 550

75 - 550

Not available

75 - 550

8.25" x 11" (20.96 x 27.94 cm)

75 - 550

75 - 550

Not available

75 - 550

Trim size specifications (width x height) with minimum and maximum page counts(kdp.amazon.co.jp)

 

Paperback

 

Trim Size

Black ink and white paper

Black ink and cream paper

Standard color ink and white paper

Premium color ink and white paper

4.06" x 7.17" (10.3 x 18.2 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

4.13" x 6.81" (10.5 x 17.3 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

4.41" x 6.85" (11.2 x 17.4 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

Are you interested in learning more about Customize Contents and Sizes for Hardcover Book Printing Mockup Set? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

24 - 828

5" x 7.4" (12.7 x 18.8 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

5.04" x 7.17" (12.8 x 18.2 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

5.83" x 8.27" (14.8 x 21.0 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

5.98" x 8.58" (15.2 x 21.8 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

5.98" x 8.94"  (15.2 x 22.7 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

Large Trim Sizes

7.17" x 10.12" (18.2 x 25.7 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

7.17" x 8.11" (18.2 x 20.6 cm)

24 - 828

24 - 776

72 - 600

24 - 828

8.27" x 10.12" (21.0 x 25.7 cm)

24 - 780

24 - 730

72 - 600

24 - 780

8.27" x 11.69" (21.0 x 29.7 cm)

24 - 780

24 - 730

Not available

24 - 780

Note:

• Hardcover is not available in kdp.amazon.co.jp
• Standard color is currently unavailable for Amazon.co.jp

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Bleed

Bleed is a printing term that refers to when printed items on a page, such as images or illustrations, reach all the way to the edge of the page. All book covers on KDP require bleed. However, you can choose whether your interior has bleed or not.

Note: Bleed is only supported for fixed-format files like print-ready PDFs.


Book interior during file setup:
No bleed (left) and with bleed (right) Book interior after final trim:
No bleed (left) and with bleed (right)

When a book is printed, all pages are trimmed to the selected trim size by cutting 0.125&#; (3.2 mm) from the top, bottom, and outside edges. In order for objects on your page to reach all the way to the edge of the page, those objects must extend past where the page will be trimmed by 0.125&#; (3.2 mm). This means you need to increase your page size beyond where it will be trimmed.

Examples of page size with and without bleed(kdp.amazon.com)

Page size without bleed

Page size with bleed

5" x 8" (12.7 x 20.32 cm)

5.125" x 8.25" (13.01 x 20.96 cm)

5.06" x 7.81" (12.85 x19.84 cm)

5.185" x 8.06" (13.17 x 20.47 cm)

5.25" x 8" (13.34 x 20.32 cm)

5.375" x 8.25" (13.65 x 20.96 cm)

5.5" x 8.5" (13.97 x 21.59 cm)

5.626" x 8.75" (14.29 x 22.23 cm)

6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm)

6.125" x 9.25" (15.56 x 23.50 cm)

Large Trim Sizes

6.14" x 9.21" (15.6 x 23.39 cm)

6.265" x 9.46" (15.9 x 23.99 cm)

6.69" x 9.61" (16.99 x 24.4 cm)

6.815" x 9.86" (17.29 x 25 cm)

7" x 10" (17.78 x 25.4 cm)

7.125" x 10.25" (18.08 x 26 cm)

7.44" x 9.69" (18.9 x 24.61 cm)

7.565" x 9.94" (19.2 x 25.21 cm)

7.5" x 9.25" (19.05 x 23.5 cm)

7.625" x 9.5" (19.35 x 24.1 cm)

8" x 10" (20.32 x 25.4 cm)

8.125" x 10.25" (20.52 x 26 cm)

8.5" x 11" (21.59 x 27.94 cm)

8.625" x 11.25" (21.89 x 28.54 cm)

8.25" x 6" (20.96 x 15.24 cm)

8.375" x 6.25" (21.26 x 15.84 cm)

8.25" x 8.25" (20.96 x 20.96 cm)

8.375" x 8.5" (21.26 x 21.56 cm)

8.25" x 11" (20.96 x 27.94 cm)

8.375" x 11.25" (21.26 x 28.54 cm)

8.27" x 11.69" (21 x 29.7 cm)

8.395" x 11.94" (21.3 x 30.3 cm)

8.5" x 8.5" (21.59 x 21.59 cm)

8.625" x 8.75" (21.91 x 22.23 cm)

Examples of page size with and without bleed (kdp.amazon.co.jp)

Page size without bleed

Page size with bleed

4.06" x 7.17" (10.3 x 18.2 cm)

4.18" x 7.42" (10.62 x 18.84 cm)

4.13" x 6.81" (10.5 x 17.3 cm)

4.26" x 7.06" (10.82 x 17.94 cm)

4.41" x 6.85" (11.2 x 17.4 cm)

4.53" x 7.10" (11.52 x 18.04 cm)

5" x 7.4" (12.7 x 18.8 cm)

5.13" x 7.65" (13.02 x 19.44 cm)

5.04" x 7.17" (12.8 x 18.2 cm)

5.16" x 7.42" (13.12 x 18.84 cm)

5.83" x 8.27" (14.8 x 21.0 cm)

5.95" x 8.52" (15.12 x 21.64 cm)

5.98" x 8.58" (15.2 x 21.8 cm)

6.11" x 8.83" (15.52 x 22.44 cm)

5.98" x 8.94" (15.2 x 22.7 cm)

6.11" x 9.19" (15.52 x 23.34 cm)

Large Trim Sizes

7.17" x 10.12" (18.2 x 25.7 cm)

7.29" x 10.37" (18.52 x 26.34 cm)

7.17" x 8.11" (18.2 x 20.6 cm)

7.29" x 8.36" (18.52 x 21.24 cm)

8.27" x 10.12" (21.0 x 25.7 cm)

8.39" x 10.37" (21.32 x 26.34 cm)

8.27" x 11.69" (21.0 x 29.7 cm)

8.39" x 11.94" (21.32 x 30.33 cm)

When to choose bleed for your interior

You should include bleed in your interior file if you have any images, backgrounds, or illustrations in your book that you want to reach the edge of the page.

Note: Even if just one page in your interior requires bleed, then your entire file should be set up with bleed.

Your paperback manuscript file must be sized correctly for bleed to prevent a white border from appearing at the edge of the page when the book is trimmed. To prevent the white border, increase your page size and ensure that the image extends beyond the trim line. This way, when the book is trimmed to size, the image will reach all the way to the edge. For help calculating your book dimensions,

Inches

Centimeters

(Trim height) + (0.125" x 2 (bleed)) = Page height with bleed
(Trim width) +(0.125" (bleed)) = Page width with bleed

(Trim Height) + (3.2 mm x 2 (bleed)) = Page height with bleed
(Trim Width) + (3.2 mm (bleed)) = Page width with bleed

For example, if your trim size is 6 x 9 inches (15.24 x 22.86 cm), set the page size to 6.125 x 9.25 inches (15.54 x 23.46 cm).

Bleed manuscript layout for a 6 x 9 inch (15.24 x 22.86 cm) book:


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Margins

Margins protect your content from running off the page and being cut off during the manufacturing process. The top, bottom, and outside margins must be a minimum of 0.25 inches  for books without bleed and 0.375 inches (9.6mm) for books with bleed. The inside margin size depends on the page count because the higher the number of pages, the thicker the book will become, which means the inside margin must also increase to allow enough space for the spine.

This page details how to format your book&#;s trim size and margins, depending on whether your book requires bleed, to ensure your book prints correctly. Without proper sizing, your manuscript may be rejected on upload, or you may see print quality issues with your printed book.A few key terms before you start:You can choose from a variety of trim sizes to set the size of your printed book. The most common trim size for paperbacks in the U.S. is 6 x 9 inches (152.4 x 228.6 mm) and is a regular trim size. The size of your book will determine its page count, and there are minimum and maximum page counts by size, which are listed in the Trim Size Specifications table below.Books with a measurement more than 6.12 inches (155.5 mm) in width or more than 9 inches (228.6 mm) in height are considered large trim sizes and have different printing costs than regular trim sizes. Learn more about printing costs for paperback and hardcover books.To set your trim size, you typically need to adjust the page or paper size setting in your chosen software (for example, Microsoft Word).You can download a Microsoft Word template in the trim size you need with or without sample content.Bleed is a printing term that refers to when printed items on a page, such as images or illustrations, reach all the way to the edge of the page. All book covers on KDP require bleed. However, you can choose whether your interior has bleed or not.Bleed is only supported for fixed-format files like print-ready PDFs.When a book is printed, all pages are trimmed to the selected trim size by cutting 0.125&#; (3.2 mm) from the top, bottom, and outside edges. In order for objects on your page to reach all the way to the edge of the page, those objects must extend past where the page will be trimmed by 0.125&#; (3.2 mm). This means you need to increase your page size beyond where it will be trimmed.You should include bleed in your interior file if you have any images, backgrounds, or illustrations in your book that you want to reach the edge of the page.Even if just one page in your interior requires bleed, then your entire file should be set up with bleed.Your paperback manuscript file must be sized correctly for bleed to prevent a white border from appearing at the edge of the page when the book is trimmed. To prevent the white border, increase your page size and ensure that the image extends beyond the trim line. This way, when the book is trimmed to size, the image will reach all the way to the edge. For help calculating your book dimensions, try our calculator . Alternatively, use the following formula to calculate your page width and height with bleed:For example, if your trim size is 6 x 9 inches (15.24 x 22.86 cm), set the page size to 6.125 x 9.25 inches (15.54 x 23.46 cm).Bleed manuscript layout for a 6 x 9 inch (15.24 x 22.86 cm) book:Margins protect your content from running off the page and being cut off during the manufacturing process. The top, bottom, and outside margins must be a minimum of 0.25 inches for books without bleed and 0.375 inches (9.6mm) for books with bleed. The inside margin size depends on the page count because the higher the number of pages, the thicker the book will become, which means the inside margin must also increase to allow enough space for the spine.

Choosing the right trim size for your book isn&#;t always the first thing on your mind when writing. However, considering the orientation and dimensions of your book is an essential step before printing. Below we will discuss the different book trim sizes to help you decide which one is best for your book.

 

Portrait Orientation:

Portrait is the most common orientation you see in bookstores. Portrait books are taller than they are wide and are bound on the long edge. Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry books almost always use a portrait design, as it provides plenty of vertical space for text. This orientation can be used for books with photos, too, if your artwork is vertical, and not horizontal.

 

Standard Portrait Sizes:

Most novels, memoirs, and self-help books utilize a 5.5 x 8.5 or 6 x 9 book layout. Many prefer these sizes because they create a cost-effective, easy-to-carry book. The largest standard portrait book size is 8.5 x 11, or letter-size. Family histories, technical manuals, and daily devotionals alike can all take advantage of the extra page space for pictures, text, or journaling. If you&#;re looking for a really compact size or wish to boost your young adult novel&#;s page count, a 4.25 x 7 pocket book is the way to go.

 

Landscape Orientation:

While not as popular as portrait, landscape orientation is another common choice. The dimensions for this layout generate a book that&#;s wider than it is tall and is bound on the shorter edge. Less common than portrait, landscape offers a suitable option for many genres. The broader horizontal pages are ideal for photography, art, and children&#;s books to display their graphics and photos.

 

Standard Landscape Sizes:

Larger landscape book sizes, such as 11 x 8.5 and 12 x 9, are very visually striking, as they offer large expanses for the reader&#;s eye to go across. This layout is also great for art, photo, and coffee table books that are intended to lay flat. Smaller landscape trim sizes like 7 x 4.25 or 9 x 6 offer similar advantages, but in a more compact, cost-friendly form.

 

Square Orientation:

Square book designs are exactly what the name implies, meaning the width and height of a square book are identical. This orientation is often used for books that need both vertical and horizontal space for photos, graphics, and text. While more uncommon than portrait or landscape, children&#;s books, cookbooks, and art books are often designed using a square layout.

 

Standard Square Book Sizes:

8.5 x 8.5 and 11 x 11 books work well for children&#;s books and photo albums, but they offer advantages to other genres. Great for cookbooks, too, the broad page size allows you to display large detailed photos of delicious dishes opposite ingredient and instruction lists. Smaller square sizes like 5.5 x 5.5 and 6 x 6 are great options for children&#;s books as well. The compact size ensures kids can handle the books easily. Click here to learn more about writing and publishing a children&#;s book.

 

Thinking of a Size Somewhere In-between?

If none of the standard book sizes are exactly what you&#;re looking for, then it&#;s possible to have a special trim size printed. It isn&#;t uncommon for a self-publisher writing a genealogy to want a book at 7 x 10. Perhaps the author may want the page space advantage of an 8.5 x 11 book, combined with the portability of a 6 x 9 book. Ordering a special trim size is easy -  simply select the next size up on your order form  then provide your desired trim size in the &#;customer comments&#; portion of your order with 48 Hour Books. We will custom trim your books to match your dimensions.

 

Reformatting:

Having issues getting your file to match the book size you want? We understand it can be difficult as a first-time author or self-publisher to format a manuscript to the right trim size. If you need help formatting your insides pages, then perhaps our reformatting services are for you! Just need a little help getting started? We also have free downloadable book templates, available in four standard portrait sizes. Simply download the template, which will open in most word-processing programs, then start typing! The dimensions will already be set up for you, so you can feel confident you are uploading the right file size.

 

Ready to start printing your book? Place an order today!

 

 

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