Understanding Book Formatting

Who this guide is for

This guide is for authors whose manuscripts are ready or nearly ready for formatting, who are unfamiliar with professional interior layout or deciding between print, eBook or both. It explains the decisions involved and what information LCM may need before formatting begins.

Key Information

1. 1. What book formatting actually includes

   Formatting is more than making pages look nice. It gives the content a clear, consistent structure that helps readers follow the book and prepares the interior for its intended output. Not every book needs the same treatment.

   • Page size and trim size establish the dimensions of the printed pages.
   • Margins, spacing and paragraph styles organize the text and make it comfortable to read.
   • Chapter openings, page numbers, headers and footers help readers navigate where appropriate.
   • Front matter and back matter are arranged around the main text.
   • Images, tables and special layout elements are placed in relation to the content.

2. 2. Trim size

   Trim size is the finished width and height of a printed book after its pages are cut. There is no single size that suits every book; the choice should reflect the content, reading experience and available print options.

   • Page dimensions affect line length, margins and the overall appearance of the interior.
   • Changing the size can change page count and the space available for images or special content.
   • Page count, together with print specifications, affects the final spine width—so trim size can influence the cover indirectly.

3. 3. Margins, gutters and readability

   Margins are the open spaces around the content. The inner or gutter area is the space near the binding; it needs consideration so words and images are not difficult to see when the book is open. Suitable spacing depends on the book and its production requirements, not one universal measurement.

   • Outer margins keep content away from the outside edge of the page.
   • The inner or gutter area accounts for how the book will be bound and opened.
   • Top and bottom spacing gives the page breathing room and accommodates navigation elements where used.
   • Text and important images should not feel crowded against an edge or disappear into the binding.

4. 4. Headers, footers and page numbers

   Headers sit near the top of a page; footers sit near the bottom. They may carry the author name, book title, chapter title or page number, but their use varies by book type. Some opening pages or chapter-start pages intentionally omit headers or visible page numbers for a cleaner opening.

   • Decide which information helps readers find their place without distracting from the text.
   • Consider how page numbers should appear across the main text and supporting sections.
   • Review pages with intentionally omitted navigation elements as part of the overall layout, rather than assuming every omission is an error.

5. 5. Chapter openings and visual consistency

   Chapter openings signal a new part of the reading journey. Spacing, typography—the style and arrangement of type—and chapter numbers can establish a clear pattern. Decorative elements or drop caps, enlarged first letters, may be appropriate for some books. Consistency matters more than making every page elaborate.

   • Use a consistent approach to chapter numbers, titles and opening spacing.
   • Keep heading styles recognizable throughout the book.
   • Choose decorative touches only when they support the content and reading experience.

6. 6. Front matter and back matter

   Front matter appears before the main text; back matter follows it. Choose the sections your book actually needs and confirm their order before final layout. Acknowledgments or an introduction may sit in different places depending on the book; not every title needs every section listed here.

   • Front matter may include a title page, copyright page, dedication, acknowledgments, table of contents, foreword, preface or introduction where applicable.
   • Back matter may include an author bio, notes, references, glossary, resources or information about other titles.
   • Identify which sections are ready and which still need content so they can be planned into the interior.

7. 7. Images, charts, worksheets and special content

   Photographs, illustrations, tables, worksheets, devotional prompts, journaling pages and charts may need additional layout planning. Image quality and placement affect how the finished pages work. See the File Submission Guidelines linked below for file requirements rather than using this guide as a technical specification.

   • Identify where images or special content belong and whether captions are needed.
   • Share original image files and clearly connect them to the relevant chapters or sections.
   • Flag pages that need room for writing, a particular arrangement or a different visual treatment.
   • Discuss how special content should work in each intended edition.

8. 8. Print formatting vs eBook formatting

   Print books have fixed pages. Many eBooks use reflowable text, which rearranges to suit the reader's screen and text settings. Print and eBook files are therefore not always interchangeable, and the appropriate approach depends on the content and intended output.

   • Page numbers, headers and exact positioning may behave differently in an eBook.
   • A layout that works well on a printed page may need a different arrangement on a screen.
   • Image-heavy or highly designed books may require different decisions about layout and digital presentation.
   • Identify intended platforms so their current requirements can be considered without assuming all platforms behave alike.

9. 9. Why editing should be mostly complete first

   Editing develops and corrects the content; formatting arranges that content into an interior layout. Complete major editing before final formatting whenever possible. If substantial edits are still expected, let LCM know so layout planning reflects the manuscript's readiness.

   • Adding, removing or moving text can shift page breaks and change page count.
   • Changes can affect headings, image placement and the table of contents.
   • A changed page count can also affect cover spine calculations for the print edition.

10. 10. Proofing the formatted book

    Review the formatted book as a reader, checking both the words and their arrangement on the page. A manuscript review alone cannot show every layout issue. See the Proofing & Approval Policy linked below for the applicable approval terms; this checklist does not replace them.

    • Check chapter order, page numbers and headers.
    • Review spacing, section breaks and transitions between pages.
    • Check images, captions and any tables or special layout elements.
    • Review special pages, including front matter and back matter.
    • Verify names and dates in the formatted version, not only in the original manuscript.

Things to prepare

• Current or final master manuscript
• Preferred print size, if known
• Intended formats: print, eBook or both
• Confirmed chapter order
• Front matter
• Back matter
• Image files
• Special layout instructions
• Examples or references, if relevant
• Publishing platform information, if already known

Common mistakes

• Treating formatting as editing can leave content changes unresolved when layout begins.
• Making major manuscript changes after final layout begins can create additional layout work.
• Choosing trim size late may mean revisiting page flow, image placement and page count.
• Submitting low-quality images can limit how clearly they appear in the finished book.
• Assuming print and eBook formatting are identical overlooks differences in how readers view the content.
• Inconsistent chapter headings or section labels can make the intended structure harder to follow.
• Forgetting front or back matter until the end can disrupt the planned page order.
• Reviewing only the text can leave spacing, navigation or image-placement issues unnoticed.

Further reading: File Format Guide