Booklets are usually printed in standard sizes, but custom sizes are available.

Most Common Sizes:

• 5.5″ x 8.5″: This is a smaller booklet most often used as instruction manual or promotional materials. It’s compact size and easy to handle.
• 6″ x 9″: This booklet size provides a good balance between readability and portability.
• 7″ x 10″: This size of booklet also works well for readability and portability but larger.
• 8.5″ x 11″: This standard paper size is common for booklets, catalogs, magazines, sales, brochures and numerous others and allows for lots of space for images, graphics and text.
• 11″ x 17″: This is commonly used in luxury markets, real estate, technical details and projects that require more space for effective messaging and/or branding.

A booklet can be made for online viewing only such as for a website or email. In that case, it can be any custom size but booklet designs made for digital distribution often have the same proportions as the most common screen resolutions.  A booklet design can also be created for both print and digital distribution.

Most Common Paper Used in Booklet Printing

• Uncoated Paper: The lack of coating offers a more traditional, classic look.  It is thicker and stronger than standard office paper.
• Coated Paper: This type of paper has a smooth, glossy finish and produces bright and vibrant colors and sharp images.
• Textured Paper: Available in radiant white and off-white cream colors that are easier on the eyes and have a very classic look.
• Silk Coated Paper: This paper type is a balance between uncoated and glossy and has a smooth luxurious feel.

All papers above may come in various weights from 90gsm to over 300gsm and different weights may be used for inner and outer pages. Let freelance graphic and booklet designer, Sturling, guide and assist you in this matter.  She has experience with what paper works best for the different formats, sizes and types of booklets and within your budget.

The best paper, size, type, and other aspects of booklets will depend on it’s purpose, content and audience’s needs.

• Saddle-Stitched Booklets are cost effective and for fewer pages as it involves folding pages and stapling along the fold.
• Perfect Bound Booklets involves gluing the pages together at the spine and produce a strong flexible hold.
• Spiral Bound Booklets or Coil Binding can be plastic or metal and is very durable and allows pages to lay flat.
• Wire-O Bound Booklets have a double-loop wire instead of a coil and has a more polished look.
• Comb Bound Booklets have a plastic ‘comb’  threaded through holes punched in the paper.
• Burst Bound Booklets, or Burst Perfect Binding, combines Perfect Binding with notching the spine.
• Sewn Bound Booklets are expensive, but very durable as it involves sewing the pages together. Often used in the luxury market.
• Tape Bound Booklets involves applying a ‘tape’ to the pages and cover and is similar to Perfect Bound.
• Case Bound Booklets, or Hardcover Binding, involves attaching pages to a hard outer cover and used for booklets meant to last.

CMYK Printing

The CMYK color model is the 4 color processing printing available at all printers for all types of brochures. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (black). CMYK is the most widely used printing color space among professional, industrial, desktop and office printers.

Pantone Ink Printing

The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a proprietary color space that involves mixing Pantone inks in a specialized manner and ensures the perfect accuracy of color each time you print and across all your printed communications, such as brochures. Pantone colors are generally used for corporate branding and logo printing where specific colors are crucial to ensure a consistent look across locations,  uniforms, and other types of communications.

In summary, CMYK is necessary for full-color images and graphics while Pantone is most commonly used when spot printing is employed in graphic design or for logos and branding on signs, items and other marketing communications.  These days, most companies use CMYK even for logos and brandings if they only have one location or use the same professional printer for consistency in color throughout. If you’re unsure of what is best for you and your budget, graphic designer in Los Angeles, Linda Sturling, can assist you.

What is the cost of printing booklets?

The cost of printing booklets can vary so much, depending on size, quantity, type of paper, and so on. It can be as low as under $100 to hundreds for bulk printing. Basically it really just depends on what you want and how many. If you have a budget for your booklet design and printing, discuss this with graphic designer Linda Sturling and she can tell you if you have realistic expectations and/or what your options are. Sturling has always been able to fulfil the needs of her clients with great satisfaction on booklet design and printing. Booklet designer Sturling can also get you the best pricing on booklet printing.

How do I distribute a booklet?

There are many ways to distribute booklets including direct mail, trade shows, exhibitions, hand distribution, digital distribution via email, website or online ads, and simply placing them where your best prospects are. Los Angeles Freelance graphic designer, Linda Sturling, can assist you with very targeted direct mail lists if you desire.

What are the benefits of using booklets as a promotional tool?

Unlike other marketing materials, booklets have a high level of convenience in giving detailed information, catalogs, timelines, programs, etc. The advantage of a booklet is also the manner in which content organization, taglines and a professional design can be excellent promotional material or great salesman on paper, when done well and by an experienced designer like Linda Sturling. This Los Angeles based booklet designer has over 20 years’ experience with direct mail, marketing and advertising agencies and in brochures, ads, booklets, and writing for content and taglines, besides all the graphic design experience.

How can I ensure my booklet design is eye-catching and stands out?

This is an easy question to answer; get your booklet designed by an experienced, creative and award-winning graphic designer in Los Angeles, like Linda Sturling. Sturling has designed numerous booklets for businesses, government entities, organizations, galleries, programs, and even for personal events and use for those located in Los Angeles, and all across the U.S.