Why familiar book design often serves your readers better
When authors want their book to stand out, sometimes they try to get creative with format ideas. Unique trim sizes, unconventional layouts, or unusual design choices can feel like a shortcut to differentiation.
From life in the design trenches, what I’ve learned is that non-standard formatting typically creates more problems than it solves.
Familiar Formats Build Trust
Readers may not consciously notice standard book sizes and layouts, but they absolutely feel them. Standard formatting signals professionalism, credibility, and ease. It quietly tells your reader, “You already know how to navigate this book.”
That sense of familiarity matters, especially for nonfiction. When readers feel comfortable, they stay focused on your message, which is what you want. If they get distracted by design choices, you will probably lose their attention.
In fact, as a book designer, I believe that the reader shouldn’t notice my work. If they open the book and just start reading, I’ve done my job.
Print-on-Demand Has Real Considerations
Print-on-demand is a reliable and accessible foundation for self-publishing, and it comes with a few practical considerations.
In the print-on-demand (POD) world, non-standard formatting can introduce tradeoffs that are worth understanding early on. These may include:
- Higher printing costs
- Fewer trim size options
- Limited paper and binding choices
- Extended production timelines
In fact, certain design ideas may not even be available through common POD platforms. If POD is how you plan to publish, that unique size or particular paper choice can mean having to adjust the design down the road, ugh.
So be sure to research the options of your chosen platform at the outset, in order to make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary complications along the way.
Standing Out Does Not Require Reinventing the Wheel
Take a pause if you think that using a standard format means blending in. Focus instead on developing well-structured content and pairing it with thoughtful design choices. Together, those will do far more to elevate a book than an unusual size ever will.
Your cover design, interior layout, typography, and overall reader flow are where distinction truly happens. When those elements are handled professionally, a standard format becomes an advantage rather than a limitation.
A Simple Guideline to Keep in Mind
Before choosing non-standard formatting, I encourage authors to ask one simple question:
Will this improve the reader experience, or does it mainly serve my desire to be different?
If it doesn’t clearly serve the reader, it’s usually unnecessary.
