Choosing the Right Trim Size and Paper for Your Self-Published Book: A Comprehensive Guide for Canadian Authors
Howdy, author! My name is Michael Pietrobon, founder of Foglio Custom Book Specialists. For more than a decade, I’ve worked with Canadian authors to transform manuscripts into books that feel as intentional as they read. One of the most important but often overlooked choices in this process is trim size and paper. These decisions shape not only how your book looks on a shelf but also how much it costs to print, how it is perceived by readers, and whether it aligns with professional standards.
Too many independent authors make these choices casually or leave them to the defaults of a print-on-demand platform. Yet trim size and paper are not small details. They are signals to your audience about genre, professionalism, and quality. Choosing wisely can mean the difference between a book that feels at home in a reader’s hands and one that feels off, even before the first page is turned.
Why trim size and paper matter in self-publishing
The physicality of a book carries meaning. A slim paperback in cream stock immediately signals fiction. A large white-paged text communicates nonfiction, self-help, or reference. Readers notice when a book looks unusual for its genre, even if they cannot articulate why.
Trim size influences page count, which directly affects cost. A 100,000-word novel at 5×8 inches may run to 500+ pages, raising the unit price on Amazon KDP. The same book at 6×9 inches might be closer to 350 pages, which prints more cheaply and appears less intimidating on a shelf.
Paper selection is equally important. Cream stock creates an inviting, softer experience for the eyes, while bright white stock works well for charts, illustrations, or nonfiction books where clarity is crucial. Heavier paper conveys quality but adds weight, which matters in Canada where shipping costs are significant.
Professional typesetting and book formatting ensures these decisions are not made in isolation but in harmony with your genre, budget, and readership.
For a broader look at how production choices build credibility, see our post on professional formatting and typesetting for Canadian authors.
Standard trim sizes for popular genres
Most print-on-demand platforms in Canada, such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, support the same core trim sizes. The most common are:
5×8 inches: A traditional fiction size, used for poetry, short novels, and literary works.
5.5×8.5 inches: A versatile size often chosen for memoirs and general nonfiction. (This is my favourite trim size. It’s perfect for most books, it’s portable, and still provides room for a reasonable amount of white space.)
6×9 inches: The industry standard for trade paperbacks in business, history, and academic publishing.
What you will not find on POD is the smaller mass-market paperback (4.25×7 inches). These are offset-only sizes reserved for large print runs. Canadian indie authors working through KDP or IngramSpark should avoid chasing that format unless they are prepared for offset costs.
Genre expectations matter. Readers of romance or YA fiction anticipate a certain look and feel. Business readers expect a larger page. Matching the norm is not about conformity but about trust. A 90-page self-help book printed at 6×9 inches might look thin, even insubstantial. The same book at 5×8 feels intentional and appropriate.
Paper options on Amazon KDP and IngramSpark
When it comes to paper, POD retailers restrict choice but offer enough flexibility to make meaningful decisions.
On Amazon KDP, the two main stocks are:
White paper: Best for nonfiction, manuals, or books with charts, diagrams, or illustrations. The crispness of the white stock supports clarity.
Cream paper: The preferred option for most fiction and general trade books. Cream reduces glare and feels more traditional in the hand. It is also the closest to what readers expect when they pick up a professionally published novel.
On IngramSpark, there are more choices:
White 50 lb and 70 lb stock: Used for nonfiction and books with images.
Cream 50 lb stock: Common for fiction and memoir.
Groundwood stock: A budget option that replicates the feel of many trade paperbacks you’d find in a Canadian bookstore. Slightly rougher, more porous, and thinner than standard cream or white, it allows for lower unit cost and slimmer spines. Many readers unconsciously associate it with “real” trade publishing.
Canadian authors often overlook groundwood because it feels less luxurious than heavier cream, but it is often the most “authentic” choice if your goal is to replicate the feel of books from major Canadian publishers.
For specific stock descriptions and availability, you can compare directly on Amazon KDP and IngramSpark’s paper and binding options.
How to choose paper weight and finish
Beyond colour, you must consider weight and finish. Standard POD books use uncoated stock because it absorbs ink and resists smudging. Coated paper, glossy or matte, is better for photo books or high-colour projects but is rarely available through POD.
Paper weight is measured in pounds. Most POD books use 50–55 lb stock for interiors. IngramSpark’s 70 lb white is an exception, offering heavier paper for books with many images. Heavier stock feels premium but increases shipping costs, something Canadian indie authors must factor into international sales.
At Foglio, I advise most fiction authors to choose cream 55 lb on KDP or groundwood on IngramSpark. Both strike a balance between readability, durability, and authenticity. For children’s picture books or art books, however, offset printing with coated stock may be the only path to a professional result.
Setting margins, bleeds, and gutters
Margins are not decoration. They are essential for readability and binding. A too-tight gutter (the inner margin) swallows words. A too-wide outer margin looks amateurish. Industry standards recommend at least 0.5 inches all around, with 0.75–0.9 inches for gutters in books over 400 pages.
Bleeds are mandatory if any design element touches the edge of the page. Without them, slight variations in trimming will create uneven white borders.
These are technical details, but they matter. In Canada, many authors make the mistake of uploading Word files directly to POD services, relying on auto-formatting. The result is often misaligned text, inconsistent margins, or strange spacing. Professional typesetting eliminates these issues, saving you from costly reprints or negative reviews.
Print-on-demand vs. offset printing
Print-on-demand has revolutionized Canadian self-publishing by lowering barriers to entry. You can publish a book with zero upfront inventory. Yet POD has limitations: unit costs are higher, colour quality is limited, and paper options are fewer.
Offset printing remains the gold standard for large print runs. It offers lower per-unit cost, precise colour reproduction, and access to paper stocks not available through POD. But it requires upfront capital and storage. For most indie authors in Canada, POD is the logical first step, with offset reserved for proven titles or special editions.
For a deeper dive, see IngramSpark’s POD vs. offset guide.
Preparing files for different book sizes
A manuscript is not a book until it is typeset. Preparing your file correctly for your chosen trim size avoids expensive fixes later.
Start with a clean Word file, using double spacing, 12-point font, and one-inch margins for submission to editors. Once the manuscript is final, transition into InDesign or Affinity Publisher for typesetting. These programs allow precise control over typography, spacing, and layout.
Eliminate invisible characters like double spaces and stray paragraph returns. Ensure chapter breaks are consistent. Export to PDF with embedded fonts and printer specifications matched to your chosen POD service. For digital editions, professional ebook design and validation ensures your book adapts smoothly across Kindle, Kobo, and Apple Books.
FAQs about trim size and paper
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On POD, it’s technically possible, but you may run into errors, and the printing cost may increase. You must use approved sizes. Offset printing allows for custom dimensions but at higher cost.
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Yes. Heavier stock means higher postage. Canadian authors selling abroad must weigh unit cost against reader experience.
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For fiction (or any text-based book), cream is standard. For nonfiction with tables or charts, white provides clarity. Groundwood offers a trade-feel but is only available through IngramSpark.
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Changing trim size after publication requires a new typeset interior, a new cover, and often a new ISBN (as this would be a new edition). Make the decision carefully from the outset.
Conclusion: Build a book that belongs in a reader’s hands
Trim size and paper stock are not afterthoughts. They determine how your book is priced, how it feels, and whether it looks at home in its genre. A well-designed 5.5×8.5 memoir on cream stock immediately signals care and professionalism. A fantasy novel at 6×9 with groundwood stock mirrors the trade books Canadian readers know from Indigo shelves.
Independent authors in Canada have more tools at their disposal than ever before, but those tools only work when guided by knowledge. At Foglio, we ensure that choices about trim size, paper, and layout are not left to chance. They are part of a coherent strategy that aligns your story with your audience.
If you are preparing your manuscript and want to avoid costly mistakes, book a free consultation. Together we can choose the right trim size, the right paper, and the right design so your book feels credible, professional, and ready to be taken seriously by readers, reviewers, and booksellers alike.
