Award-winning Designer Reveals Secrets to Attractive Page Layouts

The way a book interior is designed has a part inincrements and specified in conjunction with the point
whether the book will sell or not. A customer will notsize of the font. For example, 10/12 (read 10 on 12)
read--or buy--a book that is designed in a way that isis 10-point type with 12 point leading. In most cases,
difficult to read. If the type in your book is too small,the leading of body copy should be about 120% of
or the spaces between the lines are too narrow,the point size of the text. (For example 10/12 or 12
many prospective customers will move on to another14.4.)Also make sure you set your leading in
book. Your goal with book design is to create anproportion to the line length of your text. In general,
interior that is inviting, pleasing, and easy to read. Thisshort lines of type require little or no extra leading
involves good use of fonts, word spacing, leading, linebut you should increase the leading as you increase
length, and alignment. Here are some techniques thatthe length of the line.AlignmentUsing full-justified type
professional typesetters use.FontsGo to bookstoresmakes a page look full and creates a tighter, more
and peruse books in your category of interest. Takeformal appearance than type that is not full justified.
notes on the ones you find attractive, easy to read,Most books are set with full-justified copy, because
and that appeal to you. Make sure it is appropriatethe reader's eye can move more quickly across copy
for both the reader and the book. After all, fontsthat has a consistent column width.Length of Line
(like people) have personalities, and different designs(Column Width)Reading many long lines of type
will appeal to people of different ages. For example, ifcauses fatigue. And lines that are too short break up
your readers are either very young or senior citizens,words or phrases that are generally read as a unit.
then choose a simple, well-designed font in a largeThe length of line depends on the size of the type. A
size so the font can be read without strain.Goodgood rule of thumb is to set a line about 65
choices for body copy are Garamond, Caslon, Goudy,characters long. Set your column width to allow for
Stone Print, New Century Schoolbook, and Jansonat least a 1" to 1.25" gutter, and .5" border for top,
Text 55 Roman. For your chapter heads andbottom, and outside edges.Copyright 2006 Karen
subtitles, choose a bold font with the right personalitySaundersKaren Saunders, the author of "Turn Eye
for your piece. Some common bold fonts areAppeal into Buy Appeal: How to easily transform your
Helvetica Bold, Gill Sans Bold, Eras Bold, Univers Black,marketing pieces into dazzling, persuasive sales tools!"
and Franklin Gothic Demi. Don't use all caps for yourHundreds of business owners have used her simple
heads, subheads or table of contents, because thisdo-it-yourself design system to create stunning
style is difficult to read.LeadingLeading is the spacemarketing materials that really SELL their products
between lines of type. Leading is measured in pointand services!