
That being said, the perfect-bound trade paperback is the most commonly printed book in the self-publishing industry. IngramSpark is one of few print-on-demand services that offers hardcover book printing in a variety of sizes, with or without a dust jacket. This capitalizes on the readership who’s willing to pay more for the hardcover edition of a book and those who don’t want to wait. In traditional publishing, debut books are typically released in hardcover several months before the paperback. You’re probably wondering-besides the obvious-what’s the difference between hardcover and paperback books? Old etchings of the colonial township described in the book also decorate the inside of the hard cover.Many authors publish their books in a single format only, and while this approach might also work for your book, the prevailing philosophy supports publishing your book in as many different formats as possible-with the goal of making your book accessible to as many different readers as possible.ĭifference Between Hardcover and PaperbackĪlright, let’s talk print books.

The cover was designed by Australian graphic designer Jenny Grigg. The wistful, vintage-inspired, feminine design creates a sense of mystery and concealment, key themes in the book. Though now released in paperback format as well, it’s the hardback version that really accommodates the lengthy text best and allows the cover design to shine. Inside the hard cover, beautiful sketches made by Grace herself, depicting fashion personalities sitting front row, really give this book an extra personal touch.Įleanor Catton’s The Luminaries, winner of the Man Booker Prize last year, is certainly a lengthy read. Suitable then, that Grace Coddington‘s memoir, taking us back to her childhood in Anglesey in the 1960s before her induction into British, and then American, Vogue, should have a retro-inspired cover, complete with hand-drawn typography and a 1960s-inspired colour palette. Nostalgic cover designs are very popular, and they work particularly well on hardcovers, which have a traditional, old-school feel. Publisher: Jonathan Cape Ltd Illustration: Jim Kay Inside the hard cover, stamped with a glossy masonic black owl, a wallpapered pattern transports the reader to a Victorian Yorkshire manor house, the setting of the first chapter.

Timely, given Halloween is just around the corner, is our praise for the gothic-inspired design for Lauren Owen’s vampire novel, The Quick, published by Jonathan Cape Ltd. With illustrations from brit illustrator Jim Kay, the dust jacket has a beautiful dusty matte finish, with accents in red pulled out in bright, graphic gloss. Publisher: Penguin Classics Designer: Coralie Bickford-Smith Metallic foiling and simple, graphic patterns which instantly conjure up the decadent Art Deco designs of the Jazz Age create books that could give Daisy Buchanan a run for her money in the glamour department. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1920s-set classic novels.

Gold foil blocking adds an elegant, indulgent touch.īreathing new life into classic graphic styles are Coralie Bickford-Smith‘s redesigned hardbacks for F.
GLOSSY BLACK BOOK COVER FULL
The US cover, by designer Linnet Mattey, is more restrained, but makes full use of the weight and cloth-bound format of the hardback. The trail of water rushing across the centre of the design is pulled out in a gloss finish, which adds a tactile element to the cover. The cover design for the UK market needed to encapsulate the time-travelling, disparate mood of the book, and Mitchell’s publisher, Sceptre, has achieved just that with this explosive, surrealist design. Publisher: HarperCollins Books can be bought directly from the Official Tolkien Bookshopĭavid Mitchell’s latest novel is a sweeping epic spanning six different stories, beginning in 1980s England and finishing in a post-apocalyptic Ireland. These certainly wouldn’t look out of place in Bilbo Baggin’s cottage in the Shire. The cloth-bound texture of the hardbacks lends a tactile, homely feel, and also sits well with the fairytale-like genre of the novels. Tolkien’s works seem particularly nostalgic. These beautifully printed covers have a distinctive 1940s feel, making J.

Here’s our pick of the very best recent designs.ġ. Reprinted Covers for Tolkien’s Fantasy Epics Here at InDesignSkills we’ve noticed an influx of beautifully designed hardbacks, which use tactile textures and sensual, nostalgic designs to lure the bookshop-browser. Book Cover Design: Return of the Hardback With recent reports that people are beginning to fall out of love with e-readers, and returning, at least for some of their publishing purchases, to the hard copy, it seems that print book design might be enjoying a resurgence. Nonetheless e-books are still enjoying widespread popularity, which puts pressure on publishers to produce hard copy designs which feel more indulgent and better value for money.
