Pages, Sheets and Spreads
Understanding Book Printing Terminology
If you’re a first-time self-publishing author, the terminology can seem confusing and overwhelming. Terms like sheets, pages, spreads, and gutter are commonly used during the printing industry. While it may seem overly complex, each of these terms is actually used to provide clarity during the formatting, proofing, and printing process and keep everyone on the same page (pun intended).
In this article we’ll break down some of these important terms and concepts. Be using these terms the way they are intended, we can make sure we’re all in sync during the pre-print process and ensure your book is printed exactly as you envision.
Page
A page refers to one side of a piece of paper, and the easiest way to understand this is by imagining page numbers printed at the bottom corner of each page in your book. When requesting a quote from PufferPrint, we’ll need to know the total page count of your book. To provide an accurate number, count each side of every piece of paper as one page.
Sheet
A sheet, on the other hand, is that piece of paper. So a sheet is two pages – the front and back of the piece of paper.
Spread
A spread consists of two facing pages in a book. When you open a book, the pages on the left and right form a spread.
When it comes to laying out your artwork and formatting your book we always recommend working with spreads rather than individual pages. This makes it easier to see how your book will appear to the reader. It also makes it easier to keep track of the bleed areas that you’ll need around the outer edges of your spreads. Plus if you have artwork that crosses the gutter it will ensure that everything lines up correctly when the book is printed (this is referred to as a “double-page spread”).
Back Cover-Spine-Front Cover Spread
Typically we’ll also want you to send us your back cover, spine and front cover together as a single spread as well.
These are usually printed all on a single sheet of paper so formatting them as a single file will help ensure that everything lines up correctly.
Gutter
The gutter is where the two pages of a spread meet in the middle. It’s important to leave a minimum amount of margin between the gutter and any text or crucial design elements to ensure nothing is lost in the gutter of your book. The exact margin required around the gutter will depending on the type of binding you have chosen for your book.
Up Next: Bleed and Margin >>
Ready to Print?
When you’re ready to take the next step, share your print-ready files with [email protected] via Google Drive, Dropbox, or WeTransfer
Our pre-print team will review your files and provide any additional feedback to ensure your project turns out just the way you envisioned.
With PufferPrint, you’re not just printing – you’re bringing your creative vision to life. Let’s make something amazing together!
Read Our Reviews
See what other authors are saying about working with PufferPrint.
I worked with PufferPrint to publish my children’s board book and they did a fantastic job. I was really appreciative of their communicativeness and professionalism. I felt like they were truly working WITH me, and were invested in making my book as high of a quality as I wanted it to be. Will be recommending them and hopefully working with them again in the future!
Jes McCutchen
Lil’ Space Explorer
PufferPrint is the absolute best for self publishing. The Adventures of Yaya staff is very happy with the decision we made with going through this company. Customer service is second to none and the quality of our children’s book is beyond what we expected. We are looking forward to a long lasting relationship with Pufferprint because they are simply THE BEST!!
Yaya Dayiti
The Adventures of Yaya
PufferPrint guided me through the book printing process and addressed all of my questions promptly. The book looks amazing. I highly recommend PufferPrint!
Janet Beaulieu
Be Brave Little Pirate
I’m so glad I found PufferPrint and I would highly recommend their services. It was a joy to work with such dedicated, prompt and talented customer service. Such meticulous attention to detail, I’m completely satisfied with my book, and PufferPrint. Don’t hesitate, you won’t be disappointed – thanks PufferPrint!
Denise Mathus
Big Potato and Small Fry
