Custom Booklet Printing: What are Common Booklet Sizes?

Custom Printed Booklets

Most people would agree that the term "Booklet" refers to a small book. However, it is very common for booklets to have width and height dimensions similar to those of standard books. So what gives? Are booklets smaller or not?

Actually, it is the page count that usually determines whether we use the term "Booklet" or "Book" when describing a bound multi-page document. Whereas regular books are often thick and dense, booklets have a smaller number of pages - usually no more than several dozen or so.

Because of this limited page count, most booklets are bound with the saddle-stitch binding method. In fact, many people consider saddle-stitching to be the feature that defines a bound document as a booklet.

That said, other binding styles, such as spiral coil or perfect binding, are also used to create booklets. However, saddle stitching is by far the most prevalent binding choice for booklets. Saddle-stitching is also the most economical binding style.

Another characteristic that helps define a booklet is its softcover construction. The soft cover, combined with the limited number of pages, yields a booklet that is relatively light and flexible. This gives it more portability and ease of handling than a regular book.

That's all good to know, but what are the most Common Booklet Sizes?

When looking to have booklets printed, selecting a common size will almost always result in notable cost savings. Which common size to choose will largely depend upon the booklet's intended purpose and the extent of its content.

Below are the most popular and readily-available sizes to consider for your booklet project…

5.5" x 8.5" - this is the most common size for smaller booklets such as brochures, manuals, catalogs, and membership directories. It is equivalent to the standard US letter size of 8.5" x 11" folded in half.

6" x 9" - this is the second most common size for smaller booklets. Slightly larger than 5.5" x 8.5", this size strikes a balance between readability and portability. It is often used for journals, event programs, handbooks and guidebooks. It is also a good size for short stories, poetry, and puzzle books.

8.5" x 11" - this is the most common size for larger booklets. It is the standard US letter size and is equivalent to the standard tabloid (ledger) size of 11" x 17" folded in half. The 8.5" x 11" size is used for magazines, annual reports and student workbooks, plus larger brochures, catalogs, and directories. It provides ample space for detailed text content and images.

4" x 6" - this is a common size for mini booklets. This size is often used when portability is important, such as field manuals, travel guides, and other on-the-go reading. It is also a good size to use when space is limited, such as installation manuals or instruction booklets that accompany a product and must fit neatly within the product's packaging.

3.5" x 5" - this is a common size for pocket-sized booklets. This size is very compact and designed for booklets that need to be kept in a purse or pocket. It is a convenient size for first aid handbooks, books of codes and regulations, rule books, pocket calendars, and similar books that need to be kept handy for quick reference.

8.5" x 8.5", 8" x 8" and 6" x 6" - these are common sizes for square booklets. Square booklets are not as common as the portrait-oriented booklets described above, but they are a good choice when you want to add some uniqueness to a booklet project, such as when creating a promotional brochure or consumer guide. The 8.5" x 8.5" size is also used frequently for children's stories.

A4 - this refers to the standard size of 21 cm x 29.7 cm that is very popular internationally. It translates to 8.3" x 11.7", so it is very similar to the standard US letter size of 8.5" x 11". As such, it is a favorite size for magazines, annual reports, and directories, plus larger brochures and catalogs.

A5 - this is another popular size that is an international standard. A5 measures 14.8 cm x 21 cm, which translates to 5.8" x 8.3". It is very close to the standard 5.5" x 8.5" size that has widespread use in the US for smaller booklets.

Color Vision is always ready to assist with your Booklet Project!

Booklets provide a very economical way to share information in a compact and easy to use format. Whether you choose a common size or a totally custom size, Color Vision will produce your booklets to your exact specifications.

Since 1984, Color Vision has specialized in printing high-quality books and booklets at affordable prices. So whether you're looking to print in full color CMYK, PMS colors, black ink or grayscale, we offer a one-stop solution for all your printing, finishing, and binding needs.

Give us a call at 800-543-6299 to discuss your project. Or, if you prefer to receive a quotation by email, just fill out our Quote Request form and we will be happy to provide a custom quote for you.

As always, we look forward to assisting with your next print project!