B Format Paperback Book Grid System for InDesign

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Flat layout of a B format book cover design, displaying the front cover, spine, and back cover with a visible red grid overlay. The front cover presents the title B Format Book Grid System in a serif typeface, with the author’s name positioned in the upper left corner. The layout is clean and structured, guided by the underlying grid. The spine contains the book title, website, and dimensions (129 × 198 mm) rotated vertically. The back cover includes a descriptive passage about the sensory and visual impact of physical books. The overall composition emphasizes typographic clarity and alignment.
Features

— 12 field modular grid
— Baseline grid
— Comprehensive style sheets
— Quotation styles
— Footnotes styles
— Index styles
— Proportional leading
— Sample layouts
Double-page book spread displaying a structured grid layout with red lines. Each page features a consistent vertical and horizontal grid system designed to support balanced text and image placement. Margins, gutters, and modular divisions are clearly defined, emphasizing spatial organization and alignment across the spread. The layout is blank, showcasing the underlying grid framework without content.
Book cover layout diagram for a B Format size (198mm height × 129mm width per cover), showing front cover, back cover, and spine area. The underlying red grid system spans both covers, indicating alignment for text and design elements. Vertical magenta guidelines mark the spine width with the label “MODIFY PER SPEC.” Annotations clearly define the dimensions of each section, assisting in accurate print layout preparation. The design is minimal, focusing on precise measurement and structural clarity.
This grid system is featured in the above tutorial
Two-page book spread from a B Format publication (129 × 198 mm). The left page includes a brief author bio stating Stephen Kelman’s design background, a website URL (stephenkelman.co.uk), and a placeholder ISBN. The right page contains a centered, minimal dedication line reading “For dedication.” The layout is clean and typographically restrained, with ample white space and classic serif type.
This B Format InDesign grid system has its roots in classical typography. It is ideal for trade size books, including fiction and non-fiction long-form print publications. The template features style sheets and a cover template with adjustable spine width. Perfect for authors, publishers, and designers seeking timeless, elegant book design.
Minimalist contents spread from a B Format book. The left page is blank. The right page features a centered title “Contents” at the top, followed by a numbered list of 15 chapter titles with corresponding page numbers. Topics range from the history of print to the future of the book, including sections like “The Renaissance of Books,” “The Public Library Movement,” and “The Digital Age and Printed Books.” The layout uses serif typography with generous spacing and a right-aligned page number column.
Opening chapter spread from a B Format book. The left page is blank. The right page displays “CHAPTER 1” centered at the top, followed by the chapter title “The Dawn of Print” in serif type. Below, the body text explores the cultural significance and sensory experience of printed books, beginning with a drop cap. A footnote is positioned at the bottom left of the page, referencing a point about the preservation role of print. The layout is classic and spacious, emphasizing clarity and elegance.
Double-page interior spread from a B Format book. The left page begins mid-paragraph, continuing a discussion on the enduring relevance of printed books. A block quote in a smaller serif type highlights the benefits of printed materials in education, emphasizing interactivity over digital formats. The right page features continuous body text on the cultural and economic impact of printed books, their sustainable production, and their role in community engagement. Both pages use justified alignment with footnotes and page numbers, presenting a balanced and traditional editorial layout.
Double-page spread from a B Format book layout showing a clean and minimal editorial design. The left page features three placeholder image boxes with accompanying text. Captions highlight the portability and cost-effectiveness of B format books due to their lighter weight and reduced paper use. The right page contains a single large image placeholder with a caption noting how the format’s standardized size supports efficient manufacturing. Headers label the layout as part of a grid system, with ample white space contributing to clarity and structure.
Double-page spread from a B Format book showcasing a balanced grid layout. The left page features a full-bleed placeholder image, creating a strong visual anchor. On the right page, a single image placeholder sits above two columns of caption text. The text discusses the versatility of B format books in reaching broader audiences, noting their use in launching new titles and reissuing classics. Clean typography and generous margins contribute to a structured, reader-friendly composition.
Right-hand page of a B Format book showing an index laid out in two balanced columns. The entries are alphabetised and followed by corresponding page numbers, covering a wide range of topics from “Ancient Manuscripts” to “Zines and DIY Publishing.” The left-hand page is blank, maintaining a minimalist composition. Ample white space and consistent typographic hierarchy support readability and visual clarity.
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