Picking the Right Trim Size in CreateSpace

In addition to picking white or cream pages (see this post if you have questions) you need to decide which trim size to use.   The trim size is basically the height and width of the book (the depth or thickness of the book will be determined by the number of pages and white or cream pages).

Here is my video recommendation for trim sizes:

 Black and White Books

CreateSpace presents you with a large table of trim sizes in inches.  The full table is located here but here are the main “Industry Standard” sizes for black and white books:

• ** 5” x 8” (12.7 x 20.32 cm) **
• 5.06” x 7.81” (12.9 x 19.8 cm)
• ** 5.25” x 8” (13.335 x 20.32 cm) **
• ** 5.5” x 8.5” (13.97 x 21.59 cm) **
• ** 6” x 9” (15.24 x 22.86 cm) **
• 6.14” x 9.21” (15.6 x 23.4 cm)
• 6.69” x 9.61” (17 x 24.4 cm)
• 7” x 10” (17.78 x 25.4 cm)
• 7.44” x 9.69” (18.9 x 24.6 cm)
• 7.5” x 9.25” (19.1 x 23.5 cm)
• 8” x 10” (20.32 x 25.4 cm)
• 8.5” x 11” (21.59 x 27.94 cm)

I bolded and added the ** symbols around the required sizes for “extended distribution” which means if you ever see a scenario where your trade paperback would get shipped to a bookstore, you should use one of those formats.

Recommendation: For fiction, you can’t go wrong with any of the four sizes supported for extended distribution.  The 6 x 9 trim size is the one I used and will show formatting in future videos.

Full Color Books

For full color books, here are the industry sizes:

• 5.5” x 8.5” (13.97 x 21.59 cm)
• 6” x 9” (15.24 x 22.86 cm)
• 6.14” x 9.21” (15.6 x 23.4 cm)
• 7” x 10” (17.78 x 25.4 cm)
• 8” x 10” (20.32 x 25.4 cm)
• 8.5” x 8.5” (21.59 x 21.59 cm)
• 8.5” x 11” (21.59 x 27.94 cm)

 Recommendation: Production costs will be a bit higher on full color books, so I tend to suggest it for graphic novels, art books, or other how to books that require color.  I think 7″ x 10″, 8″ x 10″, and 8.5″ x 11″ (per the video, use this last one if you are writing a reference for readers to refer to when working).