Trade Paperback (6.0" x 9.0" / 152.4 x 228.6 mm) Print Template & Bleed Guide
The standard US publishing industry trade paperback trim size (6.0" x 9.0" / 152.4 x 228.6 mm). Ideal for graphic novel collected trade editions (TPBs), webcomic collections, non-fiction, and novels. Official pre-press dimensions, 0.125" bleed canvas setups, and exact 300 & 600 DPI pixel matrices for print-ready file submission.
Trade Paperback (6.0" x 9.0" / 152.4 x 228.6 mm) Exact Prepress Specifications
Review exact trim boundaries, bleed margins, safe zone offsets, and pixel resolution standards for your print files.
| Specification Parameter | Imperial (Inches / DPI) | Metric (Millimeters) | Prepress Role & Guidelines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finished Trim Size | 6" × 9" | 152.4 × 228.6 mm | Final cut dimension of the finished book or print after precision trimming. |
| Full Bleed Canvas Size | 6.25" × 9.25" | 158.75 × 234.95 mm | Total canvas setup including required 0.125" (3.175 mm) bleed added to top, bottom, left, and right edges. |
| Safe Zone Live Margins | 5.500" × 8.500" | 139.7 × 215.9 mm | Keep dialogue balloons, speech bubbles, text, and faces at least 0.250" (6.35 mm) inside trim lines. |
| Color Resolution (300 DPI) | 1875 × 2775 px | Full Bleed Canvas | Required pixel resolution for painted digital art, colored pages, photographic covers, and wash gradients. |
| Lineart / Screentones (600 DPI) | 3750 × 5550 px | Full Bleed Canvas | Mandatory resolution for 1-bit monochrome manga lineart and halftones to prevent unsightly moiré interference. |
| Recommended Binding | Softcover Perfect Bound: Durable square-spine adhesive binding. Ideal for 28 to 400+ page tankōbon manga, graphic novels, and trade paperbacks. | ||
| Supported Paper Stocks | Interiors: 60lb, 80lb, and 100lb Uncoated Opaque for novels and manga; 80lb and 100lb Silk or Gloss Text for full-color comics and art books. Covers: 80lb, 100lb, 111lb, and 130lb Cover (Gloss, Silk, Uncoated, or 10pt/12pt/14pt/16pt C1S Cover). | ||
| Cover Lamination Finishes | Protective Gloss Lamination, Protective Matte Lamination, or Unlaminated. | ||
Generate Custom Trade Paperback (6.0" x 9.0" / 152.4 x 228.6 mm) PDF Template
Preloaded with 6" × 9" trim dimensions. Calculate your exact spine thickness based on page count and paper stock, then download a calibrated prepress PDF.
Pre-Configured Preset: Trade Paperback (6.0" x 9.0" / 152.4 x 228.6 mm)
Trim: 6" × 9" (152.4 × 228.6 mm) • Bleed: 0.125" • Safe Zone: 0.25"
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Configure your dimensions and click Generate.
Generated files contain outside covers, inside spreads, and trim boundary guides.
Prepress Guide Legend
- 0.125" Bleed Area (Red): Background artwork must extend here.
- 0.25" Safety Zone (Green): Keep dialog, text, and artwork inside.
- Trim Line (Black): Final cut dimension of the finished piece.
- Fold / Spine Lines (Blue): Score and fold positions.
Software Setup Instructions for Trade Paperback (6.0" x 9.0" / 152.4 x 228.6 mm)
Step-by-step canvas creation, guide rules, bleed setups, and export presets for Clip Studio Paint, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe InDesign.
Manga & Comic Canvas Setup
1. Finish Size: Open File > New (Comic), set Custom Finish to 152.4 × 228.6 mm.
2. Bleed Width: Set Bleed to 3.175 mm (0.125").
3. Safe Margin: Set Inner Border to 139.7 × 215.9 mm (6.35 mm / 0.25" margin).
4. Resolution: Set 300 DPI Color to prevent screentone moiré.
Full Bleed Canvas Setup
1. New Document: Set canvas to full bleed size: 6.25" × 9.25".
2. Resolution: 1875 × 2775 px at 300 DPI (or 3750 × 5550 px at 600 DPI).
3. Trim Guides: Go to View > Guides > New Guide Layout. Set Margins to 0.125 in all sides.
4. Safe Zone Guides: Add inner guide margins of 0.375 in (0.25" inside trim).
Multi-Page Document Setup
1. Page Dimensions: Set Document Width to 6" and Height to 9".
2. Bleed Settings: Set Top, Bottom, Inside, Outside Bleed to 0.125 in (3.175 mm).
3. Margins: Set Top, Bottom, Outside to 0.25 in. For perfect bound, set Inside to 0.375"–0.5".
4. PDF Export: Preset PDF/X-1a:2001. Under Marks & Bleeds, check Use Document Bleed.
Prepress Checklist for Trade Paperback (6.0" x 9.0" / 152.4 x 228.6 mm) Files
Avoid production delays and unexpected reprints. Verify these 6 critical prepress criteria before uploading your print files.
Full Bleed Coverage
Every background color, splash art panel, and full-page illustration must extend completely to the 0.125" outer canvas border.
Safe Zone Clearance
All dialogue balloons, speech bubbles, page numbers, and vital art elements must sit at least 0.25" inside the trim boundary.
300 vs 600 DPI
Color images must be at least 300 DPI at 100% scale. Monochrome lineart and screentone manga should be prepared at 600 DPI.
CMYK & Profiled RGB
Submit files in CMYK (GRACoL 2006 or SWOP) or sRGB with embedded color profiles. Ensure Total Area Coverage (TAC) is under 300%.
Rich vs Plain Black
Use 100% K for small text and dialogue to prevent color registration fringing. Use Rich Black (C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100) for large dark fills.
Outlines & Embedding
Convert all live typography to vector outlines (curves) or ensure all font subsets are 100% embedded within your exported PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trade Paperback (6.0" x 9.0" / 152.4 x 228.6 mm)
Why is 6" x 9" the most popular book trim size?
6.0" x 9.0" is the universal standard for US trade paperbacks and graphic novel compilations. It provides comfortable typography line lengths, generous margins, and fits standard bookstore shelving.
How is the spine width calculated for a 6" x 9" book?
Spine thickness depends directly on your total page count and interior paper stock caliper. Use our live Spine Width Calculator in the Template Generator to determine your exact spine dimensions before designing your cover wrap.
How much gutter margin should I allow in InDesign?
For perfect-bound 6" x 9" books over 100 pages, set your inside gutter margin to at least 0.5" to 0.625". This ensures text remains easily readable without forcing the reader to crack the spine.
What cover finishes are offered for trade paperbacks?
We offer durable 100lb Cover or 12pt Cardstock with protective Gloss lamination for brilliant color depth, or Matte lamination for an elegant, non-glare, velvet-smooth texture.
Print Your Trade Paperback (6.0" x 9.0" / 152.4 x 228.6 mm) with MCE Printing
From multi-design convention art prints to authentic Japanese B6 manga and B5 doujinshi with split-media color inserts, configure your specs and preview your project in interactive 3D.