Book Printing: Portrait versus Landscape Orientation

Diagram A: a Book with a Portrait orientation is taller than it is wide

Prior to laying out the pages and cover, you will have to decide whether a Portrait or Landscape orientation best suits your book project.

A Portrait orientation refers to a book that has a width dimension smaller than its height dimension (see Diagram A). For example, books that measure 8.5" wide x 11" high or 6" wide x 9" high are examples of the Portrait format.

The Portrait format has a vertical shape, which is regarded as the most common choice for printed book projects. It is also known as a "long side bind" or a "long edge bind" because the spine of the book runs along the longer of the two dimensions.

A Landscape orientation refers to a book that has a width dimension larger than its height dimension (see Diagram B). For example, books that measure 11" wide x 8.5" high or 9" wide x 6" high are examples of the Landscape format.

Diagram B: a book with a Landscape orientation is wider than it is tall

The Landscape format has a horizontal shape. A Landscape format is not as common as the Portrait format, but it is still very widely used. It is also known as a "short side bind" or a "short edge bind" because the spine of the book runs along the shorter of the two dimensions.

In addition to Portrait and Landscape, a book could also be created with a Square format, which occurs when the width and height dimension are equal. Of the three book formats, a Square design is the least frequently used-�which makes it the most unique.

Formax can create affordable books in Portrait, Landscape or Square designs, including perfect bound, saddle-stitched, or spiral coil bound books. Give us a call - we'll give you some ideas and share various ways to save money on your next book project.

Take care! Rick

About the Author

Rick Stallings is the owner of Formax Printing Solutions in St. Louis, MO. Formax provides a complete array of offset and digital printing services. Specialty areas include book printing, full-color printing, laminated printing, map printing and mailing services. If you ever have a printing question or project you would like to discuss, Rick is always happy to help. He can be reached at 866-367-6221 or by submitting our easy quote request form. Rick and the Formax team have been providing worry-free printing and related services since 1985.

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