What are booklets?

Booklets are great for compressing information into a small, handheld feature that your customers can easily access and read from. In this article, you will find all the information you need to know about booklets, how they defer from normal books, and they can benefit your business.

What is a booklet?

Simply put, a booklet is a small or thin book with minimal pages to give information about a particular topic. You traditionally find these in CD or DVD cases, and are a handy alternative to brochures or leaflets.

Differences between a book and a booklet

To help break it down, here are the differences between books and booklets. Although they are very similar in structure and design, they both have their unique differences:

Books	Booklets
Covers – book covers are usually thick / hardback (or paperback)	Covers – traditionally made from paper and a lot thinner than book covers.
Size – standard book sizes range between 8.5 – 11 inches.	Size – booklet sizes range between 5.5 – 9 inches.
Page count – this can easily vary for a book, but usually starts from 36 pages onwards.	Page count – due to size, booklets should only contain 8-36 pages.
Examples – cookbooks, photo books, autobiographies, yearbooks, etc.	Examples – promotional booklets, info text, programs, etc.

 

Types of booklets

You will find that many kinds of booklets are designed to hold various sorts of information. A booklet can be compared to a brochure, except it can contain more information, as well as other small printing formats. Certain types of booklets include:

• Marketing / Promotional booklets: used by businesses to promote a new product, service, or other items on sale. These are sent directly to clients or in a mailing list and will help keep your customers as returning, loyal customers.
• Event booklets: spread the word about your newest event with an event booklet! Sizes for event booklets are 5.5x 8.5 inches.
• Booklet sizes: Common booklet sizes are portrait 5.5 x 8.5 inches, landscape 8.5 x 5.5 inches, and portrait 6 x 9 inches.
• Catalogues: These come in a wide range of sizes, and a smaller version of catalogues are available in booklet form and will compress information to be easily readable.
• Training manuals: Making training manuals into booklets are a useful alternative for employees to revise training techniques and can place them in their pockets or bags to easily transport them wherever you go.

Find out what best types of binding for booklets will suit your business.

Why is the design of a booklet important?

Like other reading material, the purpose of a booklet is to catch the reader’s attention towards your product, and even the design of the booklet is crucial to telling the reader what the booklet is about without even opening the first page. 

Booklets are a more cumbersome version of a book and should therefore be easier to read so that the reader can return to it later to find what they are looking for. For example, a CD booklet should contain the album cover on the front of the booklet and a list of contents about each song and band information that the reader can flick through.

Pros and cons of using booklets

Pros	Cons
More engagement for customers.	More expensive to produce.
Easier to carry.	It can be easily lost or thrown away.
Can showcase images better.	Other alternatives like brochures or leaflets are more efficient.

 

Check out why booklets make for great printing marketing tools. 

Be a Booklet Worm Today

There are very subtle differences between books and booklets, but each has its purpose; booklets are more informative and compress information more so than books do, especially regarding product images and descriptions.

However, booklets can be a vital, valuable tool for advertising and promoting your business to customers, as physical media will last a longer impression on them than what they see online. Any business promotions viewed online can easily be skipped or swiped aside, whereas physical media like booklets are more eye-catching and read-worthy, much like a billboard.

With the right design and promotional features, you can make the most out of your business-designed booklet to get your customers coming back for more. Even if you add in the extra detail like letting them have a discount when they show the booklet during a purchase, you and the customer will get more use out of the booklets displayed by your company. So why not give it a go; it may be worth it in the long run!

FAQs

1. What is a booklet?

   • A booklet is a small, bound publication consisting of multiple pages. It is typically smaller in size than a regular book and often used for informational, promotional, or educational purposes.

2. How are booklets different from books?

   • Booklets are smaller in size and have fewer pages compared to books. They are usually saddle-stitched (stapled) or perfect-bound, while books may have various binding methods like hardcover or softcover.

3. What are the common uses of booklets?

   • Booklets are widely used for product catalogs, brochures, event programs, instruction manuals, training guides, newsletters, and promotional materials. They provide a compact and organized format to present information.

4. What sizes are booklets available in?

   • Booklets can come in various sizes, depending on the intended purpose. Common sizes include A4, A5, 8.5" x 11", and 5.5" x 8.5". However, custom sizes can also be created based on specific requirements.

5. What binding methods are used for booklets?

   • The most common binding methods for booklets are saddle stitching (stapling) and perfect binding. Saddle stitching is suitable for booklets with fewer pages, while perfect binding is used for thicker booklets.

6. Can images and graphics be included in booklets?

   • Yes, booklets are highly versatile and allow for the inclusion of images, graphics, and illustrations. They are often used to showcase products, provide visual instructions, or enhance the overall design.

7. Are there any limitations on the number of pages in a booklet?

   • The number of pages in a booklet depends on the binding method used. Saddle stitching can typically accommodate a lower page count, usually ranging from 8 to 64 pages. Perfect binding allows for a higher page count, often starting from 40 pages and going up to hundreds of pages.

8. What paper options are available for booklet printing?

   • Booklets can be printed on a variety of paper options, including gloss, matte, or uncoated papers. The paper choice depends on factors like the desired look, feel, and durability of the booklet.

Sources

John E. Wright. (n.d.). Booklet Printing as a Marketing Tool. [Accessed 26/05/23] Retrieved from https://www.johnewright.com/booklet-printing-marketing-tool/#:~:text=Booklets%20provide%20a%20focused%20snapshot,in%20a%20variety%20of%20ways.