---
title: "Imagine your book: trim size, paper, binding | IN TEMPO"
description: "Say what kind of book you are making: a starting trim size, paper, binding and cover, each with the reason IN TEMPO gives. Then ask for your quote."
url: "https://www.intempo.fr/en/outils/imaginer-votre-livre/"
lang: "en"
---

[Exit](https://www.intempo.fr/en/outils/)

# Imagine your book

Say what kind of book you are making, how it will be read and what matters most to you. You get a starting point, drawn from the advice IN TEMPO has published: a trim size, a paper, a binding, a cover. You then send it as a quote request, and you can change anything first.

Already know your trim size, your paper, your print run?

What kind of book are you making?

\[ ] A pocket paperback

\[ ] A novel, an essay, a biography, poetry

\[ ] A technical, practical or school book

\[ ] An art book, a photo book, a cookbook

\[ ] Something else

How will it be read?

One answer. It changes the starting point where IN TEMPO has written about that use.

\[ ]

Read in one sitting You settle in with it

\[ ]

Open on a table Looked up, come back to

\[ ]

Looked at, given Leafed through, shown

\[ ]

Carried everywhere In a bag, in a pocket

\[ ]

Kept, handed down Kept and passed on

What matters most?

Two choices at most.

\[ ]

The feel in the hand The paper, the touch, the object

\[ ]

Lasting It holds, read again and lent

\[ ]

The cost per copy Nothing superfluous

\[ ]

The carbon footprint The paper, the printing, the run

\[ ]

A date to meet A fair, an anniversary, a publication

## Your starting point

### A pocket paperback

- Trim size: 10.8 × 17.8 cm

  Why: "10.8 × 17.8 cm for pocket paperbacks."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Paper: Wood-containing paper, 49 or 52 gsm

  Why: "For pocket paperbacks, most publishers use wood-containing papers in low weights such as 49 or 52 gsm."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Binding: Perfect bound

  Why: "It has to be said that, with the progress made in glues, most of the books you will find in a bookshop are perfect bound."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

### A novel, an essay, a biography, poetry

- Trim size: 14.8 × 21 cm, or 14 × 19 cm

  Why: "14.8 × 21 cm for novels and essays (our own favourite is 14 × 19 cm)."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Paper: White or cream high-bulk paper, 70, 80 or 90 gsm

  Why: "Novels, biographies, essays and poetry go rather on white or cream high-bulk paper at 70, 80 or 90 gsm, with a bulk between 1.5 and 2."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Binding: Perfect bound

  Why: "It has to be said that, with the progress made in glues, most of the books you will find in a bookshop are perfect bound."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Cover: Paperback, with flaps if you wish

  Why: "On the covers of paperbacks, perfect bound or sewn, you can also choose handsome flaps"[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

### A technical, practical or school book

- Trim size: 16 × 24 or 17 × 25 cm

  Why: "16 × 24 or 17 × 25 cm for technical books."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Paper: White offset paper, 80 or 90 gsm, 90 for more opacity

  Why: "Technical books, practical guides and even school books are usually printed on white offset paper at 80 or 90 gsm. They often carry illustrations, drawings, diagrams and a second colour, so 90 gsm is better, for more opacity."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Binding: Perfect bound

  Why: "It has to be said that, with the progress made in glues, most of the books you will find in a bookshop are perfect bound."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Cover: Paperback, with flaps if you wish

  Why: "On the covers of paperbacks, perfect bound or sewn, you can also choose handsome flaps"[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

### An art book, a photo book, a cookbook

- Trim size: 22 × 28 or 24 × 30 cm

  Why: "22 × 28 cm or 24 × 30 cm for art books and books of photographs."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Paper: Gloss, silk or matt coated paper, or offset paper

  Why: "Art books and books of photographs go on gloss, silk or matt coated paper. At IN TEMPO, we love cookbooks and photo books printed on offset paper! Less bright, admittedly, but more on trend."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Binding: Hardback, square or rounded spine

  Why: "Hardback binding, with a square or rounded spine, 2.4 mm (24/10) boards or Intégra binding, for dictionaries, art books and so on."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Cover: A dust jacket if you wish

  Why: "A dust jacket can be added as well."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

### Something else

For this one there is no ready-made starting point: describe it in the message and we will talk it through.

### By how it will be read

#### Open on a table

- Binding: Hardback, square or rounded spine

  Why: "Hardback binding, with a square or rounded spine, 2.4 mm (24/10) boards or Intégra binding, for dictionaries, art books and so on."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Cover: A dust jacket if you wish

  Why: "A dust jacket can be added as well."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

#### Carried everywhere

- Binding: Perfect bound with hot-melt or PUR glue

  Why: "Hot-melt and PUR glues are very strong, even for daily handling."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Cover: Paperback, with flaps if you wish

  Why: "On the covers of paperbacks, perfect bound or sewn, you can also choose handsome flaps"[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

#### Kept, handed down

- Binding: Sewn binding

  Why: "Sewing is still the strongest way to bind a paperback, but it costs more, because many printers cannot sew when they print digitally."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Cover: Paperback, with flaps if you wish

  Why: "On the covers of paperbacks, perfect bound or sewn, you can also choose handsome flaps"[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

### By what matters most

#### The feel in the hand

- Finishes: Foil stamping, embossing or debossing

  Why: "A little more complex and more expensive: foil stamping, embossing or debossing."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

#### Lasting

- Binding: Sewn binding

  Why: "Sewing is still the strongest way to bind a paperback, but it costs more, because many printers cannot sew when they print digitally."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Cover: Paperback, with flaps if you wish

  Why: "On the covers of paperbacks, perfect bound or sewn, you can also choose handsome flaps"[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

#### The cost per copy

- Trim size: A standard trim size

  Why: "To keep costs down and to be able to approach a large number of printers, stick to the standard sizes."[1](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/ "How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book")

- Page count: A page count that comes out even in sections

  Why: "The book is put together section by section, sewn or glued; a page count that does not come out even leaves blank pages at the end, or calls for a section of another size."[2](https://www.intempo.fr/en/glossaire/cahier/ "Section")

#### The carbon footprint

- Printing: Offset or digital, depending on the print run

  Why: "Digital printing generally emits less on a short run: offset requires plates and make-ready sheets."[3](https://www.intempo.fr/en/outils/empreinte-carbone-livre/ "Carbon footprint of a book")

Sources

1. [How to choose the trim size, paper and binding of your book](https://www.intempo.fr/en/blog/comment-choisir-format-papier-reliure-livre/)
2. [Section](https://www.intempo.fr/en/glossaire/cahier/)
3. [Carbon footprint of a book](https://www.intempo.fr/en/outils/empreinte-carbone-livre/)

### Our work of this kind

Each cover is drawn to the scale of its finished size, beside the others. Choose a book to see its specification.

#### A pocket paperback

##### La Nuit je suis Buffy Summers

Specification

- Trim size: 11 x 17 cm
- Interior: black both sides on Munken Print Cream, 80 gsm
- Binding: perfect binding
- Cover: one colour outside

[See the details: La Nuit je suis Buffy Summers](https://www.intempo.fr/en/realisations/la-nuit-je-suis-buffy-summers/)

#### A novel, an essay, a biography, poetry

##### Exploser tout bas

Specification

- Trim size: 12.7 x 21.6 cm
- Interior: black both sides on Munken Print Cream, 80 gsm
- Binding: perfect binding
- Cover: full colour outside, matt lamination outside, single-sided board, 240 gsm

[See the details: Exploser tout bas](https://www.intempo.fr/en/realisations/exploser-tout-bas/)

##### Herbier du souvenir

Specification

- Trim size: 12.7 x 21.6 cm
- Interior: black both sides
- Paper: Holmen Book Cream 80 g
- Binding: perfect binding
- Cover: full colour outside

[See the details: Herbier du souvenir](https://www.intempo.fr/en/realisations/herbier-du-souvenir/)

##### Journal en souffrance

Specification

- Trim size: 15 x 20 cm
- Extent: 144 pages in black both sides
- Paper: Clairbook Ivoire 80 g
- Binding: perfect binding
- Cover: full colour outside on Invercote PEFC

[See the details: Journal en souffrance](https://www.intempo.fr/en/realisations/journal-en-souffrance/)

##### Jours de gloire

Specification

- Trim size: 14 x 20.5 cm
- Interior: black both sides on Holmen Book Cream, 80 gsm
- Cover: full colour + gloss lamination outside on single-sided board, 280 gsm
- Binding: perfect binding

[See the details: Jours de gloire](https://www.intempo.fr/en/realisations/jours-de-gloire/)

##### Les Fantômes de Gaza

Specification

- Trim size: 12 x 19 cm
- Interior: black both sides - Holmen Book Cream 80 g
- Cover: 4 pages in black + Pantone + matt varnish outside on white offset, 250 g
- Jacket printed and fitted in full colour + matt lamination + selective varnish outside
- Satin coated paper both sides, 150 gsm + 2 flaps of 8 cm
- Binding: perfect binding

[See the details: Les Fantômes de Gaza](https://www.intempo.fr/en/realisations/les-fantomes-de-gaza/)

##### Lucioles

Specification

- Trim size: 14.5 x 21 cm
- Interior: black both sides on Munken Print White FSC, 80 gsm
- Binding: perfect binding
- Cover: full colour, Arena Rough Natural FSC, 300 gsm

[See the details: Lucioles](https://www.intempo.fr/en/realisations/lucioles/)

##### Utopiques V

Specification

- Trim size: 15 x 20 cm
- Extent: 640 pages in black both sides
- Paper: Munken Print White 70 g
- Binding: perfect binding
- Cover: full colour outside on Sirio Pearl Cocktail Mai Tai Fabriano-Fedrigoni

[See the details: Utopiques V](https://www.intempo.fr/en/realisations/utopiques-v/)

#### A technical, practical or school book

None of our work of this kind is shown on the site yet.

#### An art book, a photo book, a cookbook

##### À la buvette des Mongerons

Specification

- Trim size: 15.5 x 23.5 cm
- Interior: full colour both sides on semi-matt coated paper, 150 gsm
- Binding: sewn
- Cover: full colour + matt lamination outside on single-sided board, 250 gsm

[See the details: À la buvette des Mongerons](https://www.intempo.fr/en/realisations/a-la-buvette-des-mongerons/)

##### L’histoire d’une reconstruction

Specification

- Trim size: 21 x 29.7 cm
- Interior: full colour both sides - Artic Volume Ice 150 gsm
- Endpapers: 2 x 4 pages - full colour both sides - Artic Volume Ice 170 gsm
- Binding: 24/10 boards, square spine, sewn sections, cased in Brillanta BRI4039 cloth - foil blocking on the front board and the spine, headband at head and tail
- Jacket: full colour + matt lamination outside on semi-matt coated paper, 170 gsm
- Printing + fitting with 2 side flaps of 12 cm

[See the details: L’histoire d’une reconstruction](https://www.intempo.fr/en/realisations/histoire-d-une-reconstruction/)

##### Le BUP

Specification

- Trim size: 14.8 x 21 cm
- Interior: full colour both sides on satin coated paper, FSC, 90 gsm
- Cover: 4 pages in full colour both sides + scuff-resistant matt lamination outside
- Machine varnish inside on matt coated Multiart FSC, 250 gsm
- Binding: PUR perfect binding

[See the details: Le BUP](https://www.intempo.fr/en/realisations/le-bup/)

##### Revue Photographica 12

Specification

- Trim size: 19 x 24 cm
- Interior: full colour both sides on offset paper, 120 gsm
- Binding: perfect binding
- Cover: Procop Color 1802 Parma, 270 gsm

[See the details: Revue Photographica 12](https://www.intempo.fr/en/realisations/revue-photographica-12/)

#### Something else

None of our work of this kind is shown on the site yet.

### To go over together

- The choice of printer
- The paper available when the book is printed
- The print run, and what it changes to the cost: ask in the quote

#### By what matters most

- **The feel in the hand**: How the paper and the finishes feel in the hand
- **The cost per copy**: What weighs on the cost of your book: ask in the quote
- **A date to meet**: Your date, and whether it can be met: ask in the quote

## Ask for your quote

The message carries your starting point. Add to it or change it, then send.

Fill in what you already know of your specification, under the message, and say in the message what is still open.

Form: `POST https://www.intempo.fr/api/devis/`

Sends a print quote request to IN TEMPO, who answer by email. Describe the project in the message: format, page count, paper, binding, finishes, print run.

- What kind of book are you making? (`projet`): `poche`, `texte`, `technique`, `beau-livre`, `autre`
- How will it be read? (`lecture`): `traite`, `consulte`, `feuillete`, `emporte`, `conserve`
- The feel in the hand (`priorites`): What matters most, two values at most among: main (the feel in the hand), duree (lasting), cout (the cost per copy), empreinte (the carbon footprint) and date (a date to meet); optional.
- Name (`name`, required): The name of the person asking for the quote, or of their publishing house.
- Email (`email`, required): The address IN TEMPO answers.
- Telephone (`phone`): A number to call back, optional.
- How did you hear about us? (`source`): How the person heard of IN TEMPO, one of the values offered; optional.
- Message (`message`, required): The project: format, page count, paper, binding, finishes, print run, wished-for date.
- Trim size (`format`): The finished trim size of the book, for example 14.8 x 21 cm; optional.
- Page count (`pagination`): The number of pages; optional.
- Print run (`tirage`): The number of copies; optional.
- Interior (`interieur`): How the interior is printed: black, colour, illustrations; optional.
- Paper (`papier`): The interior paper: kind, shade, weight; optional.
- Binding (`faconnage`): The binding: perfect bound, sewn, saddle-stitched, case bound; optional.
- Cover (`couverture`): The cover: soft, with flaps, hard, its paper; optional.
- Finishes (`finitions`): The finishes: lamination, varnish, foil, embossing; optional.

IN TEMPO helps you define your specification precisely and find the right printer.