Children’s cardboard books, also known as board books, are popular books for infants and toddlers. Board books are made with thick, durable cardboard pages designed to withstand chewing, tearing, and repeated readings. When preparing the children’s cardboard book printing for young readers, choosing the right size is an important consideration.
Common Cardboard Book Sizes
There are several standard sizes for children’s cardboard books. Some of the most common trim sizes include:
5 x 5 inches
A 5 x 5 inch square format is one of the smallest common sizes for cardboard books. This compact, portable size is easy for little hands to hold and carry. 5 x 5 books can contain full-page illustrations and minimal text on each page.
6 x 6 inches
The 6 x 6 inch square size provides more room for engaging illustrations while remaining manageable for toddlers. Many classic board books like “Goodnight Moon” use a 6 x 6 trim size.
7 x 7 inches
A 7 x 7 trim gives illustrators and designers ample space for vivid artwork. This mid-sized square orientation accommodates more text per page than smaller formats.
8 x 8 inches
An 8 x 8 square is a very popular board book dimension. This size strikes a nice balance – not too big or too small. Many board book series use standard 8 x 8 dimensions.
5.5 x 5.5 inches
While not a common mass market size, some board book creators opt for a 5.5 x 5.5 trim. This allows for a slightly more compact book than a 6 x 6, while still providing enough space for illustrations.
9 x 9 inches
A 9 x 9 inch square board book stands out with its generous proportions. This oversized trim size makes artwork the centerpiece of the book. Less common due to higher production costs.
Standard Rectangular Sizes
In addition to square formats, rectangular layouts are also standard board book dimensions:
5.5 x 7 inches
A 5.5 x 7 inch landscape orientation is commonly used. This size works well for displaying panoramic settings and landscapes.
7 x 9 inches
The 7 x 9 portrait configuration is another conventional rectangular board book dimension. The added height suits subject matter such as animals and other vertical visuals.
Custom and Specialty Shapes
While standard sizes prevail, board book creators sometimes opt for custom or uniquely shaped trims:
Die-cut shapes
Die-cut board books feature customized cuts on each page, creating openings in the shape of characters or objects. These specialty book contours align art and themes.
Odd or oversized dimensions
Some choose distinctive proportions like a 10 x 10 inch square or a 4 x 9 inch rectangular orientation. Going bigger or more narrow can help books stand out.
Factors Impacting Size Selection
Several considerations come into play when determining the ideal trim size for a board book project:
Target age range
Books for infants work best in small, lightweight formats that are easy to grasp and manipulate. As babies grow into toddlers, they can handle slightly larger sizes.
Page count
More pages allow room for more involved stories and detailed artwork. Standard board books range from about 10-30 pages.
Visual themes
The orientation and dimensions should suit key visual themes. A narrower layout provides focus while a squarer design shows more background.
Production costs
Larger sizes often come with increased printing expenses. Aim to balance ideal proportions with sensible budgets.
Standardizing Book Series
Sometimes board book creators release a series of themed books. Using matching trim sizes can create cohesion across the set:
Recognizable look
Standard sizes help young readers identify more books from the same series.
Brand consistency
Uniform proportions align with overall branding for the book designs.
Compatible components
Conserving the trim means reusable display stands and packaging work for every book.
Key Takeaways
- Common children’s cardboard book sizes include 5 x 5, 6 x 6, 7 x 7, and 8 x 8 inch square trims as well as 5.5 x 7 and 7 x 9 rectangular layouts.
- Specialty die-cut or custom sizes can help board books stand out while very large trims may increase printing costs.
- Final size selection depends on target age, page count, visuals, expenses, and plans for extending into a series.
Matching the cardboard book size and orientation to the story, illustrations, and audience helps create an engaging experience for young readers. While some formats are more conventional, a variety of dimensions can bring children’s stories to life.