Document Setup

Look at any book before you start.

• Use InDesign, not Illustrator. You need to adjust the hyphenation and justification rules.
• All books have an even number of pages—each sheet has a front and a back.
• Books should be set to page size (check for size in the assignment) but viewed in spreads (facing pages).
• Allow at least .125 (1/8”) margin for printer trim error. Don’t let details get cut off.
• Use bleeds, so you don’t end up with unintended white margins due to printer cutting error.
• The back page cover should encourage viewers to flip over the book and interact with the content. Don’t waste the opportunity to have your work read just because the book is face down.

Cautions

• Odd number pages are always on the right. Self-cover books typically start on page 1, which is physically document page 3.
• Take care to NOT run text across the center of a spread, unless for a large headline or when the spread occurs in the exact middle of the book as a continuous sheet of paper. Otherwise, the text will be unreadable.
• Avoid italics. They are difficult to read.
• Avoid drop shadows. They are ugly.
• Don’t use ampersands (&).
• Don’t use the protected fonts from your logo as headlines, subheads, or body copy.
• Tables of Content work best on odd numbered pages.
• Once you have two items on a page, you have established alignment rules, which you should honor. Nothing should be placed randomly. Knowledgeable viewers should be able to see your design principles, and the book should look like it was built by the same person, at the same time. Be consistent throughout. Honor established leading, padding, gutters, and spacing.
• Never use center-aligned body text. Readers have an expectation to return to the same left margin after reading each line. When you force their eyes to go in and out, it feels too hard, and they won’t read the text. Opt for justified (ragged right) or full width. If you elect to use full width, you may need to adjust hyphenation and justification rules to prevent rivers of white space and excessive hyphenations.
• Don’t stretch images to fit available space. Distorted images are the mark of a Microsoft Word designer.