Over the years, I’ve helped several authors with picture book rescues. With every single one, the pagination was wrong. Since the pagination is the plumb line for your book’s production, if it’s off, the book as a whole will underdeliver aesthetically.
Proper pagination is one of the great mysteries surrounding picture books. These picture book storyboard templates and accompanying explanations provide a firm foundation for your picture book layout.
A true template is only helpful if you understand the why and how of it all. Template isn’t another word for “click here to make yours look like mine.” A template is a guide.
Before we dive into the template, we must first cover some basic book production terminology.
Terminology
Just like the hard piece on the end of your shoelace has a name (aglet), so does every single that is involved in a manufacturing process. Everyone involved in the book printing industry (machine operators, designers, etc.) has to have a way to communicate about the various parts of a book.
The following are just a few of the terms that are essential when communicating with your printing partner. There are many, many more, but these are enough to get us started.
- greyboard (also called binder boards): This is what makes the book a hardback. It’s available in different thicknesses and can be wrapped in a variety of materials (linen, paper, leather, etc.).
- book block: The block of internal pages that make up the book.
- self-ends: If you want to use the same paper at the front and back of your book that your book block is printed on, then your book is utilizing self-ends. The book block will be glued directly to the greyboard, making your book a self-ended book.
- separate ends: Use separate ends (aka end sheets) if you want a different paper at the front and back of your book than what the book block uses. The book block will be glued to the end sheets, and then the first and last pages of the end sheets will be glued to the greyboard.
End sheets and self-ends are two different ways to accomplish the same thing: They are both used to affix your book block to the greyboard.
However, the decision is not just an aesthetic one. It impacts many things, including your file set-up, your pagination, your print quote, and your print-ready deliverables.
Ideally, you will know which one you want to utilize as early on in the process as possible. I’ve prepared a storyboard template for both options.
Storyboard Template for a 32-Page Hardcover Picture Book Block with Self-Ends
All pages, including the 2 blank (glue-down) pages, are included in your page count, which must be divisible by 4.
Storyboard Template for a 32-Page Hardcover Picture Book Block with Separate Ends
Unlike a self-ended book block, if you want to utilize separate ends, the end sheets are not counted in your book block.
When you request a print quote, you need to confirm with the printer that your book block is X number of pages plus separate ends.
While some printers may allow for just two pages of end sheets per set (front is one set, back is a second set), most printers default to four pages per set.
My template is based on printers who use four pages per set of end sheets.
Submit 3 separate files:
- one 4-page front end sheet file with the first single page blank for glue-down
- one book block (starts on a single page, ends on a single page, and has a total page count divisible by 4)
- one 4-page back end sheet file with the last single page blank for glue-down
Export Settings
Whether you choose separate end or self-ends, always check with your printer for their preferred export settings. Some prefer single pages with bleed, and some prefer spreads with bleed. Sometimes your printer will have an export settings file that you can load to InDesign so the printer gets exactly what they need how they need it.
I’m Melinda Martin, and I help authors create quality books for kids.
I meet each author where you are in the process. Request a fit call to learn how I can help you specifically.
