How to Design a Book to Be More Readable

Regardless of what genre you are writing, the basics of design are the same: good use of white space. Creating ample white space will keep the eye flowing through the book and will make it look more organized. You should also leave enough space around the margins of your pages for gutters and trimming. These are not always possible, but they can make a book look more professional. By using the principles of good design, you can create a book that is pleasing to the eye and a pleasure to read.

Why Readability Matters

The design of your book directly impacts how readers interact with it. If a book is difficult to read, it doesn’t matter how compelling the content is; readers will likely lose interest. Readability encompasses everything from font choice to layout, margin width to line spacing. By focusing on these elements, you can create a book that is comfortable to read, keeping your audience engaged from the first page to the last.

The Book’s Cover is Important

The book’s cover is an important element of design. While the book cover does not make the book contents easier to read, if the potential reader is not attracted to the cover, they are far less likely to even consider reading the book. And let’s face it, if they don’t even try to read the book, the internal tips don’t really matter. Whether it’s a novel or a textbook, the cover must be easy to read and have plenty of contrast. The overall design should be aesthetically pleasing and should make the text easy to read. A good book’s cover will encourage a reader to pick it up and begin reading. However, it’s not just about design.

Visually Separate Paragraphs

A good book’s design helps keep paragraphs visually separated without interfering with the flow of the page. It’s important to keep the spacing between paragraphs to a minimum. If the paragraphs are too long, a small space may be needed, or an extra space after a period. It’s important to follow these basic design rules, as they will help readers enjoy reading your book.

Typography: Choosing the Right Fonts

Typography is the backbone of book readability. The fonts you choose must be easy on the eyes, enhancing the overall reading experience.

• Serif vs. Sans-Serif: Serif fonts, like Times New Roman, are traditionally used in printed books because the serifs (small lines at the ends of characters) guide the reader’s eye along the text. Sans-serif fonts, such as Arial, are cleaner and more modern but are often harder to read in large blocks of text.
• Font Size: Standard book font size ranges between 10 and 12 points. Anything smaller may strain the eyes, while larger fonts may make your book appear amateurish.
• Font Pairing: Use a complementary font for chapter titles, headings, and subheadings. Avoid using more than two different fonts in your book to maintain visual consistency.

Line Spacing and Margins

Line spacing and margins are critical in ensuring that the text does not feel cramped or overwhelming.

• Line Spacing: A line spacing of 1.5 is often recommended for most books, providing a good balance between readability and space efficiency. Double spacing can make text easier to read but will also increase the page count.
• Margins: Standard margins are 1 inch on all sides for most books, but this can vary depending on the book size. Wider margins give the text room to breathe and make the book easier to hold.

Text Alignment and Justification

How text is aligned on the page can drastically affect readability.

• Left-Aligned Text: This is the most common alignment in books, creating a ragged right edge. It’s easier to read because the eye naturally returns to the start of the next line without the distractions caused by varied word spacing.
• Justified Text: While justified text gives a clean look by aligning both the left and right edges of the text, it can create awkward spaces between words, known as “rivers,” which can disrupt the reading flow.

Chapter and Section Breaks

Properly designing chapter and section breaks can help guide readers through the content effortlessly.

• Chapter Titles: Use a larger, bold font for chapter titles to differentiate them from the body text. Placing them on their own page can give a sense of importance and clarity.
• Section Breaks: Include a visual break, such as a blank line or a small graphic, between sections within a chapter to give readers a mental pause and prevent the text from feeling too dense.

Page Layout and Composition

The overall page layout should be designed with readability in mind.

• Gutter Size: The gutter is the space between two facing pages. A too-small gutter can make text near the binding difficult to read, especially in thick books. Consider a gutter of at least 0.75 inches.
• Page Numbers: Position page numbers where they are easy to find but not intrusive, typically at the top or bottom outer corners.
• Headers and Footers: Include chapter titles or book titles in the header to orient readers. Ensure these are in a smaller, less intrusive font than the body text.

Color Contrast and Paper Quality

Visual contrast and paper quality can significantly influence how readers perceive your book.

• Text and Background Contrast: High contrast between text and background improves readability. Black text on white or off-white paper is the most common and effective choice. Avoid colored text or backgrounds that can strain the eyes.
• Paper Quality: Choose paper that reduces glare and feels good to the touch. Matte or semi-gloss finishes are popular choices for their ability to reduce eye strain.

Images and Graphics

If your book includes images or graphics, these must be carefully integrated into the text.

• Image Placement: Place images near relevant text, but ensure they don’t interrupt the reading flow. Full-page images can be impactful but should be used sparingly.
• Image Quality: Ensure that all images are high resolution and print clearly. Blurry or pixelated images can distract and frustrate readers.

Cover Design: The Gateway to Readability

While the cover may seem unrelated to readability, it sets the tone for the reader’s experience.

• Title and Subtitle: Ensure the title and subtitle are legible from a distance. Use a clear, bold font and high contrast colors.
• Imagery: Choose imagery that represents the content but doesn’t overwhelm the text. The cover should intrigue potential readers without being overly complex.

Testing and Iteration

Before finalizing your design, testing different elements can provide insights into what works best.

• Print Proofs: Order proof copies to see how your design translates to physical form. Sometimes, elements that look good on a screen may not work as well in print.
• Beta Readers: Share your book with a small group of readers to get feedback on readability. Pay attention to comments about text size, spacing, and overall layout.

Conclusion: Making Your Book Readable

Designing a readable book is an art and science that requires careful consideration of various factors, from typography to layout and beyond. By focusing on readability, you not only enhance the reader’s experience but also increase the chances that they will recommend your book to others. As a self-publishing author, investing time and effort into designing your book with readability in mind is one of the best ways to ensure its success.

Important Concepts and Principles Table

Concept	Principle	Application Example
Typography	Choose readable fonts and appropriate sizes	Serif fonts for body text, 10-12 point font size
Line Spacing	Provide enough space between lines	Use 1.5 line spacing for balance
Margins	Ensure text is not too close to the edges	1-inch margins on all sides
Text Alignment	Align text for easy reading	Left-aligned text with a ragged right edge
Chapter Breaks	Use clear, distinct chapter titles	Larger, bold font, centered on its own page
Page Layout	Design with readability and comfort in mind	Adequate gutter space, well-placed page numbers
Color Contrast	Maintain high contrast between text and background	Black text on white or off-white paper
Paper Quality	Choose paper that reduces glare	Matte or semi-gloss paper
Image Placement	Integrate images without disrupting the flow	Place images near relevant text, avoid full-page images
Cover Design	Create a cover that’s both attractive and readable	Bold, clear title with contrasting colors
Testing	Test and iterate before finalizing design	Order print proofs, gather feedback from beta readers

This comprehensive guide should equip self-publishing authors with the knowledge to design books that not only look good but also offer a superior reading experience. By following these principles, you can create a book that resonates with your audience and stands out in the crowded marketplace.