How Do You Publish a Large Print Edition of a Book in the UK?

A large-print edition can make a book easier to read for people who struggle with standard-sized text. It may serve readers with sight loss, older readers, people with dyslexia and anyone who experiences visual fatigue when reading conventional print.

Professional large print book publishing UK requires more than increasing the manuscript’s font size. The publisher must reconsider the typeface, line length, spacing, margins, page size, navigation, illustrations, cover and production cost.

The large-print version should also be treated as a distinct edition. It generally needs its own ISBN, metadata, cover, page count and retail listing. Authors who want to reach libraries must ensure that the format is identified clearly enough for librarians and readers to distinguish it from the standard paperback.

RNIB describes large print as generally using 16- to 18-point text, with anything larger considered giant print. Current UK government guidance similarly defines large-print publications as using type of at least 16 points, while recognising that no single size is suitable for every reader.

A good edition is not merely larger. It is designed to remain readable, comfortable to handle and practical to produce.

What Is a Large-Print Book?

A large-print book is a separate edition designed with larger body text and other readability adjustments.

It may include:

• Body text of at least 16 points
• Larger chapter headings
• Increased line spacing
• Clear paragraph spacing
• Wider margins
• Shorter lines
• Strong contrast
• Reduced decorative typography
• Clearly separated sections
• Simplified page furniture
• A larger trim size

RNIB states that ordinary print is commonly set at 10 or 12 points, while large print generally begins at 16 points. Giant print uses sizes above the normal large-print range.

Font size alone does not determine readability. Two typefaces set at 16 points may appear noticeably different because of variations in character height, width, stroke and spacing.

The complete page should therefore be assessed, not only the number shown in the design software.

Who May Benefit From Large Print?

Large-print books may help readers who experience difficulty with standard print because of:

• Partial sight
• Age-related sight changes
• Dyslexia
• Eye strain
• Neurological conditions
• Learning disabilities
• Coordination difficulties
• Reading fatigue
• Temporary visual impairment

UK accessible-communication guidance recognises large print as an alternative format for people with visual, learning and coordination-related needs. It also advises involving disabled users when planning accessible formats because readers are best placed to explain what works for them.

Not every reader with sight loss wants the same format.

One person may prefer:

• 16-point print
• 20-point print
• An eBook with adjustable text
• An audiobook
• Braille
• A screen-reader-compatible digital edition

A publisher should not describe one large-print edition as universally accessible.

It is one format within a wider accessibility strategy.

Decide Whether a Large-Print Edition Suits the Book

Large print may be particularly useful for:

• Novels
• Memoirs
• Biography
• History
• Devotional books
• Poetry
• Local-history books
• Health information
• Practical nonfiction
• Books aimed at older readers
• Titles intended for library collections
• Community publications

Some books require more redesign because they rely heavily on:

• Tables
• Graphs
• Maps
• Footnotes
• Complex illustrations
• Sidebars
• Multi-column layouts
• Mathematical notation
• Worksheets

A text-heavy novel can often be adapted relatively directly.

A reference book with detailed tables may need a larger page, redesigned tables, simplified content or a companion digital resource.

Assess the manuscript before deciding that the same production method will suit every page.

Complete Editing Before Large-Print Formatting

Do not begin the large-print layout while the manuscript is still changing substantially.

Complete:

• Developmental editing
• Line editing
• Copyediting
• Fact-checking
• Permissions clearance
• Standard-edition proofreading
• Final manuscript approval

Changes made after formatting can affect many more pages in a large-print edition because the enlarged text creates a higher page count.

One added paragraph may move several later headings and alter the final spine width.

The approved text should normally match the standard edition unless the publisher is deliberately issuing a revised version.

If substantial content has changed, the book may need to be identified as a new revised edition rather than only a large-print conversion.

A Submission Manuscript Is Not a Large-Print Interior

A manuscript submission format UK literary agents request is an editorial document, not a retail book layout.

Submission manuscripts may use:

• Standard font
• Double spacing
• Simple headings
• Conventional margins
• Page numbers
• Minimal design

A large-print edition requires a production file designed for printing and binding.

Do not send a large-print typeset PDF to an agent simply to demonstrate accessibility unless it has been requested.

If a traditional publisher acquires the book, its production and accessibility teams may make their own decisions about:

• Font
• Trim size
• spacing
• paper
• distribution
• alternative formats

Independent authors take responsibility for those decisions themselves.

Choose an Appropriate Font Size

A minimum of 16 points is commonly used as the starting point for large print. UK government guidance updated in June 2026 recommends at least 16 points for people with sight loss while noting that some readers need larger type and that the apparent size varies between typefaces.

Possible body-text sizes include:

• 16 point
• 17 point
• 18 point
• 20 point
• Larger customised editions

The correct choice depends on:

• Target audience
• Typeface
• Trim size
• Genre
• Book length
• Reading distance
• Production cost
• User testing

A book marketed specifically as 18-point large print should use a genuine 18-point body style throughout ordinary narrative text.

Do not enlarge only the first chapter or selected pages.

Footnotes, captions and back matter should also remain readable.

Choose a Clear Typeface

A readable typeface normally has:

• Distinct letter shapes
• Open counters
• Clear punctuation
• Moderate stroke contrast
• Sufficient spacing
• Easily distinguished characters

Test whether readers can distinguish:

• Capital I and lowercase l
• Letter O and number 0
• Letter c and letter e
• Letter r and letter n
• Commas and full stops

Suitable options may include carefully selected serif or sans-serif typefaces.

A serif typeface can work well for continuous book text when its shapes remain clear at the selected size. A sans-serif typeface may suit guides, instructions and short sections.

Avoid:

• Condensed fonts
• Extremely light weights
• Ornamental scripts
• Excessive italics
• Long sections in capital letters
• Typefaces with ambiguous characters

UK government accessibility guidance advises avoiding excessive italics, underlining and capital letters because they can make word shapes harder to recognise.

Use emphasis selectively.

Keep Lines Manageable

Large type can create very long or very short lines depending on the page size.

Current UK accessible-format guidance recommends approximately 50 to 65 characters per line for large print and advises keeping lines below 80 characters.

Lines that are too long can make it difficult to find the beginning of the next line.

Lines that are too short can:

• Break phrases awkwardly
• Create excessive hyphenation
• Produce a choppy reading rhythm
• Increase page count unnecessarily

Test several combinations of:

• Font size
• Trim size
• Margins
• Typeface width
• Character spacing

Do not reduce the text below a genuine large-print size simply to fit more words on each page.

Increase Line Spacing

The distance between lines should allow readers to move horizontally without confusing adjacent lines.

Large-print layouts often need greater leading than a standard edition.

For example, 18-point body text may need line spacing comfortably above 18 points, depending on the typeface.

Avoid:

• Lines touching ascenders or descenders
• Excessively loose spacing that separates a paragraph visually
• Different spacing from chapter to chapter
• Automatic settings accepted without review

Print sample pages and read them at normal distance.

Screen previews may not reveal how dense the printed page feels.

Use Clear Paragraph Treatment

Paragraphs should be easy to identify.

Possible systems include:

• First-line indents
• Space between paragraphs
• A combination used carefully for distinct content types

For a novel, first-line indents may preserve a familiar reading rhythm.

For a practical guide, modest paragraph spacing may improve navigation.

Avoid using both a large indent and a large blank space for every paragraph unless the design genuinely requires it. This can create fragmented pages and inflate the book.

Scene breaks should be unmistakable.

Use a simple marker that remains visible even when it falls near a page break.

Use Left Alignment

Left-aligned body text is often easier to read than fully justified text because the spacing between words remains more consistent.

Full justification can produce:

• Large spaces
• Irregular word patterns
• Dense lines
• Distracting visual channels

A professionally typeset justified layout may work when hyphenation and spacing are controlled carefully. However, large type leaves fewer words per line and makes poor spacing more noticeable.

For many large-print books, left alignment provides a practical and readable solution.

Avoid centred body paragraphs.

Centred text is harder to follow over multiple lines because each line begins in a different position.

Review Hyphenation

Automatic hyphenation can become intrusive when fewer words fit on each line.

Consider:

• Disabling hyphenation for fiction
• Limiting consecutive hyphenated lines
• Checking names and technical terms
• Reviewing awkward word breaks manually

Do not insert manual hyphens throughout the manuscript unless the production software handles them safely.

Manual breaks can remain visible when the text is revised or converted into another format.

Select a Larger Trim Size

Increasing the font without changing the page size can cause the page count to rise dramatically.

A larger trim size may provide:

• More comfortable line length
• Fewer pages
• More manageable spine width
• Lower printing cost than a smaller page with the same type
• Better space for headings and illustrations

Possible large-print trim sizes may include:

• 6 × 9 inches
• 7 × 10 inches
• 8 × 10 inches
• Other printer-supported formats

The best size depends on the book and intended user.

A very large page may reduce the page count but make the physical book heavy or difficult to hold.

A smaller page may feel familiar but create an extremely thick book.

Balance visual accessibility with physical usability.

Consider the Weight of the Finished Book

A standard 300-page novel may become considerably longer in large print.

The finished edition may be:

• Thicker
• Heavier
• More expensive
• Harder to hold
• Harder to open flat

Possible solutions include:

• Increasing the trim size
• Choosing suitable paper
• Dividing a very long book into volumes
• Offering an accessible eBook
• Creating an audiobook
• Reviewing unnecessary front and back matter

Do not automatically divide a book into two volumes without considering:

• Separate ISBNs
• Cover design
• Pricing
• Reader convenience
• Series metadata
• Library ordering
• Distribution

A split edition may create new commercial and bibliographic requirements.

Choose Paper Carefully

Paper influences:

• Contrast
• Glare
• Weight
• Show-through
• Page thickness
• Print cost
• Ease of handling

A matt or uncoated paper may create less glare than a glossy surface.

Paper that is too thin may allow text from the reverse side to show through, which can make reading more difficult.

Cream paper may reduce harsh contrast for some readers, while other readers may prefer strong black-on-white contrast.

The choice should reflect the audience and printer options.

Order printed samples where possible instead of choosing from a screen description.

Use Strong Contrast

Body text should contrast clearly with its background.

Commonly effective combinations include:

• Black text on white
• Black text on warm off-white
• Very dark text on a pale background

Avoid:

• Light grey body text
• Text printed over photographs
• Low-contrast coloured pages
• Pale text on a slightly darker background
• Patterned backgrounds
• Reversed-out paragraphs for long reading

Decorative design should never make the main text harder to read.

Use colour carefully in headings and illustrations.

A colour that looks strong on screen may print with weaker contrast.

Simplify Headers and Footers

Page furniture should support navigation without crowding the page.

Headers and footers may contain:

• Page number
• Book title
• Chapter title
• Section title

Keep them:

• Large enough to read
• Clearly separated from body text
• Consistent
• Unobtrusive

Do not use tiny page numbers simply because they are secondary information.

Page numbers matter for:

• Contents
• Index
• References
• Book-club discussion
• Library support

Position them consistently.

Design Clear Chapter Openings

A chapter opening should be recognisable immediately.

Use:

• Strong heading hierarchy
• Clear spacing
• Large chapter number
• Short chapter title
• Consistent placement

Avoid:

• Decorative script
• Chapter titles over images
• Pale text
• Very large blank areas that force unnecessary page turns
• Small subtitles placed far from the main heading

The heading should remain visually connected with the first paragraph.

If a chapter begins with an illustration, ensure readers can identify where the chapter text starts.

Review Contents and Navigation

A nonfiction large-print edition may depend heavily on:

• Contents
• Part pages
• Section headings
• Index
• Glossary
• Notes
• Appendices

Check that:

• Page numbers are correct
• Heading levels are distinct
• Entries are not crowded
• Dot leaders remain visible
• Long chapter titles wrap clearly
• Index references match the large-print pagination

The standard-edition index cannot simply be copied because the page numbers will change.

If the book has an index, recreate or update it after the large-print pages are final.

Redesign Tables

Tables are among the most difficult elements to adapt.

A table enlarged from the standard edition may no longer fit within the page width.

Possible solutions include:

• Divide one table into several
• Move supplementary data to an appendix
• Use a landscape page where the printer permits it
• Convert a table into a list
• Repeat headings across pages
• Remove non-essential columns
• Provide an accessible digital version

Do not shrink table text below the book’s stated large-print size.

A book cannot reasonably claim that its content is fully large print when essential tables remain in 8-point type.

Redesign Footnotes and Endnotes

Footnotes may become difficult to manage because large type uses more vertical space.

Options include:

• Endnotes by chapter
• Notes section at the back
• Brief in-text explanations
• Reduced but still readable note size
• Companion website for extensive references

Do not remove important sources merely to reduce page count.

For a scholarly or factual book, the evidence must remain traceable.

A large-print reader should receive the same meaningful content as a standard-print reader.

Adapt Illustrations and Captions

Images should remain clear when repositioned.

Review:

• Caption size
• Labels inside diagrams
• Image contrast
• Cropping
• Resolution
• Text embedded in images
• Relationship between image and discussion

A high-resolution image is still difficult to use when its labels are too small.

Consider redrawing diagrams with:

• Larger labels
• Fewer elements
• Stronger contrast
• Clearer spacing

Do not enlarge a low-resolution image until it becomes blurred.

Create a New Book Illustration Brief

A revised book illustration brief can help the illustrator or designer adapt visual material for the large-print edition.

The brief may specify:

• Final trim size
• Required label size
• Colour and contrast needs
• Simplified composition
• Caption location
• Image dimensions
• Bleed
• Alternative text for digital use
• File format
• Resolution
• Revision rounds

An image designed for a small standard paperback may need substantial changes.

The illustrator should know that the work will appear in a separate large-print edition and whether the existing licence permits adaptation.

Budget for Children’s Book Illustration Changes

The children’s book illustration cost UK authors face may increase when a large-print edition requires:

• New page layouts
• Reflowed text
• Repositioned illustrations
• Enlarged labels
• New spreads
• Extended backgrounds
• Revised cover art
• Additional proof rounds

Picture books present a special challenge because text and image placement are often tightly connected.

Increasing the text can cover important visual elements or change the pacing of page turns.

The author may need the illustrator and designer to rebuild the complete interior rather than enlarge each existing page.

Confirm whether the original illustration agreement permits:

• Large-print editions
• Cropping
• Repositioning
• Alteration
• New cover layouts
• Library distribution
• Promotional use

Check Copyright Permissions Again

Authors who previously completed book copyright permissions UK work should review each licence before producing the new edition.

Permissions may cover:

• One print edition
• A particular format
• A limited print run
• UK distribution only
• A specified image size
• Interior use but not cover use

A large-print edition may change:

• Format
• Print run
• Page placement
• Image size
• Cover
• Distribution
• ISBN

Do not assume the paperback permission automatically covers every later print edition.

Check licences for:

• Quotations
• Lyrics
• Poems
• Photographs
• Artwork
• Maps
• Letters
• Tables
• Archive material

Request an extension before publication when the original permission is too narrow.

Give the Edition Its Own ISBN

A large-print book should normally use a different ISBN from the standard paperback.

Nielsen advises that different formats and versions need separate ISBNs.

The large-print edition differs through:

• Typesetting
• Page count
• Physical characteristics
• Cover
• Price
• Metadata
• Reader purpose

A separate ISBN enables:

• Libraries to order the correct format
• Retailers to distinguish the products
• Readers to identify large print
• Sales to be tracked separately
• Public Lending Right registration by edition
• Correct cataloguing

Do not reuse:

• Standard paperback ISBN
• Hardback ISBN
• eBook ISBN
• Audiobook ISBN

Enter the large-print ISBN consistently on:

• Copyright page
• Back-cover barcode
• Retail listings
• Distributor account
• Library metadata
• Author website
• Sell sheet
• Media kit

Complete ISBN and Legal Deposit Requirements

Authors managing ISBN legal deposit UK responsibilities should treat the large-print book as a separately published edition.

The British Library states that UK print publications should continue to be submitted for legal deposit and currently instructs publishers to send copies directly to its Legal Deposit Office in Boston Spa.

The publisher is required to provide a print publication to the British Library within one month of publication, while the other legal deposit libraries may request further copies.

Keep records of:

• Title
• Format
• ISBN
• Publication date
• Date deposited
• Postal tracking
• Covering note
• Requests from other deposit libraries

Do not send an unfinished proof as the legal-deposit copy.

The copy should represent the completed edition distributed to readers.

Label the Edition Clearly

The front or back cover should state clearly that the book is a large-print edition.

Possible wording includes:

• Large Print Edition
• 16-Point Large Print
• 18-Point Large Print

Do not use a general phrase such as “easy to read” when a more precise description is possible.

Include the format in:

• Subtitle field where appropriate
• Edition field
• Product description
• Keywords
• Trade metadata
• Library sell sheet
• Website
• Retail graphics

Avoid changing the main book title unnecessarily.

The aim is to connect the edition with the original work while making the format unmistakable.

Create a New Cover

An enlarged interior produces a different page count and spine width.

The standard cover file will therefore not fit the large-print edition.

The new cover must account for:

• New trim size
• New page count
• New spine width
• Separate ISBN
• New barcode
• Large-print label
• Printer template
• Bleed
• Safety margins

Do not stretch the original cover PDF.

Return to the editable design file and rebuild the layout using the correct printer template.

Check whether the image and font licences cover the new edition.

Set a Realistic Retail Price

Large-print books may cost more to print because they often have:

• More pages
• Larger trim sizes
• Different paper needs
• Higher shipping weight
• New design costs

KDP calculates paperback printing costs using the page count, trim-size category and ink choice. It applies different cost structures to regular and large trim sizes.

A publisher should calculate:

• Unit printing cost
• Retail discount
• Wholesale discount
• Returns risk
• Platform fees
• VAT where relevant
• Author compensation
• Delivery
• Proof costs
• Design and editing investment

Do not price the edition so low that every trade sale creates a loss.

At the same time, an extremely high price may prevent readers and libraries from ordering it.

Compare other large-print books within the same genre.

Choose Between KDP and IngramSpark

The IngramSpark vs KDP UK decision depends on the intended sales channels.

KDP may suit authors who want:

• Direct Amazon availability
• Print-on-demand fulfilment
• A straightforward Amazon-focused setup
• Author and proof copies
• Amazon advertising tools

IngramSpark may suit authors who want:

• Wholesale distribution
• Bookshop ordering
• Library-channel availability
• Wider trade metadata
• Publisher-controlled discounts and returns

KDP supports paperback trim sizes ranging up to 8.5 × 11 inches and requires single-page interior files, embedded fonts and sufficient margins.

IngramSpark’s current print guidelines similarly require separate interior and cover PDFs, embedded fonts and adequate safety margins. Its guidelines recommend margins of at least 0.5 inches for non-bleeding content and assign unique ISBNs to separately distributed editions.

An author may use both platforms when:

• The author owns the ISBN.
• The edition is identical.
• Metadata matches.
• Distribution settings do not conflict.
• The files meet both systems’ specifications.

Always order proofs from each printer used.

Differences in paper, trimming and binding can affect the reading experience.

Prepare Print-Ready Files

A printer-ready large-print interior usually needs:

• Correct trim size
• Embedded fonts
• Single pages, not spreads
• Final margins
• Correct bleed
• High-resolution images
• Sequential page numbers
• No comments
• No crop marks unless the printer specifically requests them
• Final page count

KDP requires images to be at least 300 DPI and sets gutter requirements according to page count.

IngramSpark also requests 300-PPI imagery and specifies safety areas, bleed and separate cover and interior files.

A file passing an automated platform check is not necessarily readable.

Automated checks may identify dimensions and missing fonts. They do not judge:

• Typeface suitability
• Visual fatigue
• Poor paragraph spacing
• Awkward line length
• Tiny captions
• Weak contrast
• Confusing navigation

Human review remains necessary.

Order a Physical Proof

Never approve a large-print edition from the screen alone.

A physical proof allows the author to assess:

• Apparent type size
• Page weight
• Glare
• Contrast
• Line length
• Spacing
• Margins
• Gutter
• Binding
• Image quality
• Book weight
• Cover clarity
• Barcode
• Spine

Read several complete chapters.

Do not inspect only the opening pages.

Problems may appear later in:

• Long quotations
• Tables
• Notes
• Index
• Captions
• Appendices
• Acknowledgements

Test whether the book can be held and opened comfortably.

Ask Relevant Readers to Test the Edition

Include people who actually use large print in the review process.

Ask:

• Is the type comfortable?
• Are the lines easy to follow?
• Is the contrast strong enough?
• Are chapter openings clear?
• Can page numbers be found quickly?
• Are captions readable?
• Is the book too heavy?
• Does the gutter hide text?
• Are italics difficult to read?
• Is any section noticeably smaller?

Do not ask only sighted designers or colleagues to decide what readers with sight loss need.

UK guidance recommends involving disabled people when planning and reviewing accessible formats.

Use feedback to identify patterns.

One person’s preferred type size may not suit everyone, but repeated concerns should be addressed.

Proofread the Reformatted Edition

Even when the wording has not changed, the new layout needs a full proofread.

Formatting can introduce:

• Missing lines
• Repeated text
• Broken paragraphs
• Incorrect page numbers
• Displaced images
• Orphaned headings
• Bad page breaks
• Incorrect contents
• Broken index references
• Missing italics
• Unreadable captions

Proofread both:

• Print-ready PDF
• Physical proof

A PDF can reveal textual problems. A physical copy reveals production problems.

Make the Edition Available to UK Libraries

Authors trying to get self published book into UK libraries should ensure the large-print edition is easy to identify and order.

Provide:

• Large-print ISBN
• Font size
• Trim size
• Page count
• Retail price
• Publisher
• Distributor
• Publication date
• Trade availability
• Cover image
• Description
• Ordering details

A library may have a specific large-print collection or use a specialist supplier.

Trade availability does not guarantee selection, but unclear metadata may prevent a librarian from finding the edition at all.

Mention relevant features in a concise sell sheet.

For example:

Format: Large-print paperback
Body text: 18 point
ISBN: [number]
Availability: [supplier]

Do not tell libraries only that a large-print version exists “on Amazon”.

Give them an orderable trade record where possible.

Register the Edition for Public Lending Right

Eligible authors should register the large-print edition separately for Public Lending Right when it has its own ISBN.

The British Library states that contributors should register each new edition with a different ISBN, including paperbacks, large print, audiobooks and eBooks.

PLR registration:

• Is separate from legal deposit
• Does not cause libraries to purchase the book
• Requires the book to have been published and offered for sale
• Uses the edition’s own ISBN

Keep the large-print ISBN and publication details available for the application.

Coordinate the Large-Print and eBook Editions

An accessible eBook may provide adjustable:

• Font size
• Typeface
• Line spacing
• Background colour
• Contrast

RNIB notes that many eReaders allow users to enlarge text to a personally suitable size.

The eBook should still be prepared accessibly.

It may need:

• Reflowable text
• Logical headings
• Working navigation
• Alternative text
• Accessible tables
• Descriptive links
• Correct reading order

A fixed-layout digital copy of the large-print pages may not give users the flexibility of a properly created reflowable eBook.

Offer formats as complementary options.

Consider an Audiobook

An audiobook may serve readers who find prolonged visual reading difficult.

The production should consider:

• Narrator
• Pronunciation
• Chapter navigation
• Companion materials
• Visual descriptions
• Audio quality
• Distribution

An audiobook is not a replacement for large print because some readers prefer or require print.

Providing several options gives readers more control over how they access the work.

Adapt Marketing Materials

Marketing should identify the format clearly without presenting disability as a sales device.

Update:

• Website
• Media kit
• Book sell sheet
• Retail description
• Email campaign
• Library outreach
• Goodreads edition
• Social graphics

Explain:

• Type size
• Physical format
• Availability
• ISBN
• Intended reading support
• Alternative formats

Avoid vague or patronising claims such as:

• Perfect for all elderly people
• Guaranteed accessible to everyone
• Designed for the visually impaired without consultation
• Effortless reading for any disability

Use factual language.

Update the Book Trailer

A book trailer script does not need a completely different story for the large-print edition, but the visual and spoken call to action should identify the format accurately.

The trailer may include:

• Large Print Edition now available
• 18-point paperback
• Available through selected retailers or libraries
• Accessible eBook and audiobook also available

On-screen text should be:

• Large
• High contrast
• Visible long enough to read
• Supported by voiceover or captions
• Free from distracting movement

The trailer itself should reflect the accessibility values of the edition.

Do not announce a large-print book through tiny, fast-moving text.

Keep Edition Metadata Consistent

Check that the following match:

• Title
• Subtitle
• Author
• Edition statement
• ISBN
• Page count
• Trim size
• Font-size description
• Publication date
• Price
• Publisher
• Cover

Review listings on:

• Amazon
• Ingram
• Bookseller sites
• Library suppliers
• Goodreads
• Author website

Common problems include:

• Standard cover on the large-print listing
• Paperback ISBN reused
• Missing edition statement
• Incorrect page count
• Large print mentioned only in the description
• Retailer listing merged incorrectly
• Wrong price
• Outdated publication date

Clear metadata protects readers from ordering the wrong version.

Common Large Print Publishing Mistakes

Frequent problems include:

• Increasing the font without redesigning the page
• Using less than 16-point text while calling the book large print
• Keeping tiny footnotes and captions
• Using long justified lines
• Choosing a very heavy trim size
• Allowing text to disappear into the gutter
• Reusing the standard paperback ISBN
• Stretching the old cover
• Failing to review copyright licences
• Using unclear retailer metadata
• Skipping physical proofing
• Testing only on screen
• Assuming every reader needs the same size
• Ignoring tables and illustrations
• Forgetting legal deposit
• Failing to register the edition for PLR
• Treating eBook enlargement as a complete substitute
• Claiming universal accessibility

A large-print edition should feel intentionally published, not mechanically enlarged.

A Practical Large Print Publishing Process

A reliable workflow may include:

• Confirm the intended readership.
• Decide whether a large-print edition suits the book.
• Complete all manuscript editing.
• Clear third-party permissions.
• Choose a body-text size of at least 16 points.
• Test several accessible typefaces.
• Select a manageable line length.
• Set suitable line and paragraph spacing.
• Choose a practical trim size.
• Redesign tables, notes and images.
• Adapt the illustration brief where required.
• Create a new interior file.
• Assign a separate ISBN.
• Prepare accurate edition metadata.
• Create a new cover and barcode.
• Calculate printing costs and retail price.
• Choose KDP, IngramSpark or both.
• Upload print-ready files.
• Order a physical proof.
• Test the proof with relevant readers.
• Complete a separate proofread.
• Correct the files and order another proof where needed.
• Publish the edition.
• Complete legal deposit.
• Register the edition for PLR.
• Update library, retailer and Goodreads listings.
• Promote the format clearly and respectfully.
• Continue offering accessible digital or audio options where possible.

A well-designed large-print edition can extend the life and reach of an existing book.

The most effective editions combine readable typography with thoughtful physical design, accurate metadata and distribution that helps the intended readers find the book.

Frequently Asked Questions

What font size qualifies as large print in the UK?

Large print generally begins at 16 points. Some readers prefer 18, 20 or more points, so the target audience and selected typeface should guide the final decision.

Does a large-print edition need a different ISBN?

Yes. It is a distinct format with different typesetting, pagination, physical characteristics and metadata, so it should normally receive its own ISBN.

Can an author create large print by enlarging the standard PDF?

No. The complete interior should be reformatted. Simply enlarging a standard file can produce poor margins, awkward lines, cropped content and an unnecessarily bulky book.

Should a large print book use a larger trim size?

Often, yes. A larger trim size can maintain comfortable line lengths and control the page count, but the finished book should remain easy to hold and handle.

Can a large-print book be distributed to UK libraries?

Yes. Authors should provide accurate large-print metadata, a separate ISBN and reliable ordering information through the relevant trade or library channels.

Does large print make a book fully accessible?

No single format meets every reader’s needs. A wider accessibility strategy may also include a reflowable eBook, audiobook, Braille or individually requested formats.