Lulu’s Book Product Type Options
Lulu offers 3,200 unique product configurations. Don’t worry, you don’t have to try them all. But just in case you wanted to, today we’re going to walk through the foundation of those configurations so you can get the most out of Lulu.
Lulu’s Product Configurations
Trim Sizes
Trim size refers to the final height and width of your book after the excess paper has been cut off during the printing process. Lulu offers 16 different trim sizes to choose from for your project. If you visit our Products Page and click on any of the options under Product Types You Can Make On Lulu, you will see recommended trim sizes for the specific project you are trying to create. These are just recommendations; you can choose whatever trim size speaks to you.
We also suggest that when choosing a trim size for your project, you let genre expectations and market research guide you in the decision-making process. Writing a novel in the US? A US Trade Paperback (6x9) or Novella (5x8) will do you just fine.
Working on a magazine or quarterly publication? US Letter (8.5x11) or A4 (8.27x11.69) are both great options. Use our guides and suggestions as a frame of reference, and then make it your own.
Binding Types
Your binding type is how your book is actually held together. From novels to workbooks to calendars and more, we have the perfect binding type for whatever you are looking to create. Our binding types include Paperback, Coil Bound, Saddle Stitch, Hardcover Casewrap, Hardcover Linen Wrap with Dust Jacket, and Wire-O for calendars.
Since every project at Lulu is printed on-demand, you don’t have to stress over which choice will be best to lovingly cradle your masterpiece. Order one of each until you’ve found the perfect fit.
Printing your project in multiple binding types can also be a great way to offer a wider range of price points for your audience. The thrift shopper may opt for the paperback, while the collector may gravitate to a hardcover edition.
Interior Color
Now let’s take a peek under the cover. For interior color options, Lulu offers Standard and Premium ink for both Black & White and Color printing. For most standard fiction and nonfiction projects, Standard Black & White will work beautifully. If you are working on a project filled with graphs, charts, or several black and white images or graphics, Premium Black & White is a great way to ensure the images really stand out.
If you are creating a planner, journal, workbook, or guide with a few color elements or images throughout, Standard Color is a great choice for adding a bit of flair to the presentation. Children’s books, photo books, look books, cookbooks, and any other image-heavy projects will benefit from the added saturation of our Premium Color.
Paper Type
And now for the canvas that will host your glorious arrangement of words, thoughts, images, or perhaps simply the serene invitation of the blank page, Lulu offers four different paper types to choose from.
For most projects, 60# Cream or White will play the perfect host to your content. I personally like Cream for novels or nonfiction narratives and 60# White for low- or no-content projects or supplemental materials like workbooks.
Our 80# White Coated paper offers a high-gloss option perfect for photo books, magazines, and comic books. And last but not least, our 100# White paper is reserved for our calendars, creating a sturdy and vibrant product that can withstand 12 months of wear and tear.
Cover Finish
For the final design element, Lulu offers two cover finishes: Glossy and Matte.
They both work well on a variety of projects, so this decision will largely come down to personal preference or genre expectations. If you’re unsure which to choose, order one of each and then share with your audience to let them decide.
And if you still can’t come to a conclusion, why not offer both?
If you are looking to give your backlist a boost or want to refresh a marketing campaign, creating new covers or offering titles in hardcover is a great way to excite readers and elevate the experience.
Distribution Eligibility
Keep in mind that all 3,200 of our product configurations are eligible for sale through Lulu’s Bookstore or your own website via Lulu Direct, but not Retail Distribution.
If you are hoping to sell your book through Lulu’s Retail Distribution program, be sure to only choose options that are retail eligible, denoted by this icon:
Most Popular Product Types
How you choose to combine all of these options is up to you, but here are a few popular products to help you get started.
Print Books
Obviously. Your standard print book in Paperback or Hardcover can be a great way to tell a story, relay a message, or raise brand awareness.
If you are new to creating print products, a notebook, journal, or planner is a great place to start. Lulu even takes care of the heavy lifting by offering 100- or 200-page interior files for notebooks and planners, so all you have to do is add your logo to the cover and a bit of information about your company or organization to the interior or back cover, and voila! You have stylish, portable billboards you can leave with potential clients that are functional and informative.
If you are offering clients a new process or methodology, maybe a customized fitness routine or meal plan, offering a print version with helpful tips, instructions, and room for them to note their progress and key takeaways can be a great way to help them get the most out of your content.
Photo Books
I am using photo books here as an all-encompassing term that refers to highly visual and aesthetic print projects.
If you are a graphic designer in need of a portable portfolio, this is perfect for you. If you are an artist or photographer looking to offer some of your work at perhaps a more approachable price point, photo books can provide the opportunity to own some of your stunning images without breaking the bank.
A few other great uses of this format are:
- Cookbooks
- Look books
- Coffee table books
- Children’s books
Magazine
Because Lulu is powered by print-on-demand technology and there are no upload or revision fees, it makes us a perfect platform for printing periodicals like magazines. And with our Order Import tool, you can easily place multiple orders at once by uploading a CSV file with customer and product information and placing your order.
Magazines are a great way to give your audience a tangible glimpse into products, expertise, or upcoming trends. Lifestyle and photography magazines are popular on Lulu because of the high-quality, engaging format and simple revision and order process.
How to Get Started
If you are ready to turn 3,200 unique product configurations into the right one for you, here’s how:
- Once you choose your project types, use our pricing calculator to enter specs and get custom templates
- Create two files for the project - one PDF for your interior and one for your cover (or use our cover creator tool)
- Create a free account
- In your account, select “Create a Project”
- Follow the prompts to print your project
- Publish and order a proof copy for review!
Once your proof copy has been reviewed and any necessary edits have been made, it’s time to share your work with the world. Lulu has a few ways to help you do this, but for building a sustainable brand, Lulu Direct is the best option. Lulu Direct allows you to sell your print projects through your own website directly to your audience. Doing so allows you to keep more revenue per sale, maintain brand continuity, and collect valuable information about your customers.
Here’s what you’ll need to start selling direct:
- Set up your ecommerce site & store if you don’t already have one
- Connect your store to Lulu Direct
- For Shopify & Wix, you’ll need to download the Lulu Direct App
- Install the Lulu Direct plugin for Woo
- Update your store’s settings in the Lulu Direct Dashboard (contact info, packing slip, etc.)
- Connect your book to your ecommerce store
- Manage your shipping options and automate payment and fulfillment
- Place your first test order to ensure the order process is simple and easy
- Let your audience know your work is available for sale on your website!
Why Product Types Matter for Print Books
Your content is unique. Why shouldn’t your print products be? Whether you are making software or product guides, high-fashion magazines, personalized fitness plans, or children’s books, Lulu has you covered. In Gloss or Matte.
Your Free Lulu Account
Create a Lulu Account today to print and publish your book for readers all around the world
