So, you have finished your book. Congratulations! However, wait a moment before you publish. One last element that takes a self-published book from looking average to looking professional is typesetting. Whether you are publishing a print book or an ebook, clean and thoughtful book typesetting makes the manuscript a pleasant reading experience.
This article will cover all the important book typesetting tips for self-published authors, covering everything from fonts and spacing to tools and layout best practices.
What is Typesetting, Anyway?
Typesetting is arranging your text and images on the page to look nice and readable. This includes things such as:
- Choosing font types & font sizes
- Adjusting margins & line spacing
- Managing headers, footers, and page numbers
- Controlling how text flows across pages
- Formatting chapters, sections & paragraphs
Consider it the behind-the-scenes design that keeps readers engaged in your book, free from distractions.
1. Choose the Right Formatting Services & Tools
There are a variety of tools for book typesetting. Some are DIY-friendly, while others are more advanced:
- Microsoft Word: Good for drafting & basic formatting but not for complex layouts.
- Vellum (Mac only): A favorite among indie authors for its ease of use and professional results.
Choose the option that matches your comfort level, budget, and the amount of time and control you’d like over your book’s final appearance.
2. Know Your Trim Size and Margins
Your trim size (book dimensions) affects everything from layout to printing costs. Common sizes:
- Fiction: 5″ x 8″, 6″ x 9″ or 5.5″ x 8.5″
- Non-fiction: 6″ x 9″ or larger, depending on the book’s content
Margins should allow for binding & ease of reading:
- Outer margins: More space is better for readability
- Inner margins (gutter): Must account for binding, especially for thicker books
Pro tip: Don’t crowd the page. White space improves readability and makes your book feel professionally designed.
3. Pick Readable Fonts and Use Them Consistently
Font selection plays a subtle but powerful role in readability.
- Print books: Stick with classic serif fonts like Garamond, Georgia, or Times New Roman.
- Ebooks: Many devices override your font but avoid overly decorative styles.
Also, make sure:
- Body text is typically 11–12 pt.
- Headings stand out but aren’t jarring.
- Do not use more than 2 fonts, one for headers and one for body.
4. Justify Your Text, But With Care
Most traditionally published books utilize justified text, which gives a clean look for both left and right margins.
You should know about:
- Uneven spacing (“rivers”) between words
- Hyphenation that makes reading awkward
If you are familiar with the kerning, tracking, or hyphenating rules, you can minimize or eliminate these.
Some formatting tools like Vellum or InDesign can sometimes handle this for you automatically.
5. Mind Your Paragraphs, Line Spacing, and Indents
Paragraphs should be consistent throughout:
- First-line indents: Standard for fiction
- Block paragraphs: no indents & space between Common in non-fiction or ebooks
Adding 1.15 to 1.5 line spacing is important for better readability; single spacing often feels cramped in print.
6. Avoid Common Layout Issues
- Windows: Paragraph’s single line at the top of a new page
- Orphans: A line left behind at the bottom of a book page
- Runts: Single short words stranded on a line
These are small but important errors that can disrupt the flow. Good formatting tools help flag and fix them.
7. Use Page Elements Effectively
Headers and footers can provide page numbers, book titles, and chapter names, but don’t overdo it.
- Odd pages (right side) have the book title
- Even pages (left side) might show the chapter title or author’s name
- No headers/footers on chapter title pages
8. Handle Images with Care
If your particular book has images, diagrams, etc:
- Use high-resolution files (300 DPI is acceptable for print)
- Continue to keep image placement consistent
- Add captions as needed
- Make sure that images do not interrupt the text-reading flow
Ebooks can be more problematic, and images may shift or resize depending on the device used, so thoroughly test the interactive table of contents.
9. Proof Your Final Layout, Then Proof Again
Before publishing:
- Obtain a proof printout of your book (even if you are going all digital)
- Check for layout issues, font issues, awkward breaks
- Beta readers or a professional proofreader to also check formatting and flow
- You will be surprised how different it looks in print than on the screen.
10. When in Doubt, Hire a Pro
If you like to avoid typesetting yourself or feel too busy with your work to catch mistakes, you might also want to explore using a book typesetting service for quality assurance.
Our book composing and typesetting service will fully format your manuscript for print or digital publishing.
A good typesetter will: –
- Ensure your book conforms to distributor requirements (Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, etc.)
- Save you hours (or days) of formatting headaches
- Provide a polished product that looks sharp
Some sites such as Reedsy, Fiverr, or even smaller publishing companies vet professionals for any budget you may have.
Professional Typesetting Services to Bring Your Book to Life
Typesetting is one of the most important parts of publishing. Good typesetting shows respect for your readers, boosts your credibility & makes your book a joy to read.
Whether you are doing it yourself or bringing on help, using the tips above can elevate your journey from an amateur experience to a professional one. Once completed, your story will have the beautiful presentation it deserves.
If you need professional help managing all this stuff, AlphaeBook is happy to assist you. We provide the best book composing and typesetting services for print and digital publishing and take care of all the details, like layouts, margins, fonts, etc.
