Cost Of Book Typesetting And Layout Design Services
When it comes to self-publishing, a polished interior is just as important as a striking cover. Readers notice awkward spacing, inconsistent fonts and messy chapter headings far more than you might think. And poor typesetting can make even the strongest writing feel unprofessional.
But how much should you budget for professional book layout and design services in the UK? And where does typesetting fit alongside eBook creation?
This article breaks down the typical costs of typesetting, from free DIY tools through to full service professional packages – helping you decide which route is right for your book.
Average UK Costs For Book Typesetting & Layout Design
When it comes to the price you’re going to pay in the UK for book typesetting, you’ve really got 3 options:
- DIY or template based tools can be completely free or cost you up to around £200.
- Budget freelancers range between £100 and £600.
- Professional typesetters or design agencies usually charge between £500 and £1,500 or more.
A simple 60,000-word novel without images will usually fall at the cheaper end of the scale. Memoirs or general non-fiction that include a handful of photographs tend to cost a little more, while textbooks or books featuring charts, footnotes or poetry are typically at the higher end.
It’s worth noting: typesetting is not the same as eBook creation or programming. eBook formatting is a separate process, but good typesetting is the foundation for anything beyond the most basic eBooks.
Cheap & Free Typesetting Options For Self-Publishers
For authors on a budget, there are now several tools designed specifically with self-publishers in mind. Atticus, for instance, is a one off purchase (that costs around £120) that works across Windows and Mac and can produce clean, professional looking interiors for both print and digital.
Vellum, though only available on Mac, is another favourite among indie authors, providing elegant designs and straightforward export options for print and eBook, with a one time fee of about £200.
At the very lowest cost, Amazon KDP and Draft2Digital provide free Word templates, though these can be fiddly to use and often look generic once complete. Some authors also try Adobe InDesign, the professional industry standard, though this comes with a steep learning curve and ongoing subscription costs.
Whichever tool you choose, the challenge lies in ensuring that the files meet distributor requirements. Both Amazon KDP and IngramSpark enforce very specific rules around margins, bleed and trim sizes. A file set up for one trim size won’t necessarily fit another, which means even small errors can cause rejected uploads.
Risks Of Budget/DIY Routes Include:
- Spending hours troubleshooting technical errors.
- Upload rejections from Amazon or IngramSpark if margins or document sizes aren’t correct.
- Generic or mismatched design if you don’t have an eye for layout.
For technically minded authors, tools like Atticus can be an excellent middle ground. For those who prefer to concentrate on writing, these routes can quickly become frustrating.
Professional Book Layout Services
Professional typesetting is about more than just tidying up a manuscript. A skilled designer ensures that the book reads smoothly, complies with printer requirements and reflects genre conventions so readers instantly feel at home.
Costs generally fall between £500 and £1,500 depending on book length and complexity, as well as whether both paperback and hardback versions are needed.
Professional services usually cover everything from choosing appropriate fonts and layout styles, to correctly handling front and back matter, to producing files that are validated for both Amazon KDP and IngramSpark.
Careful attention is also given to readability; line spacing, paragraph alignment, headers and footers – so that the book feels consistent from first page to last.
This level of detail is especially important for books containing images, tables, poetry or specialist formatting. Even for a straightforward novel, the difference between an amateur layout and a professional one can be immediately obvious.
How Spiffing Publishing Approaches Typesetting
At Spiffing, we make a clear distinction: our typesetting pricing does not include eBook programming or creation. That is a separate service, though typesetting is almost always the first step for producing anything beyond the simplest eBooks.
When you work with us, you stay firmly in control while we handle the technical detail.
Our Typesetting Service Includes:
- Choice and guidance of interior design styles tailored to your genre and readership.
- Print ready files for Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, matched precisely to trim size and margin requirements.
- Unlimited revisions on your chosen design concept until you’re completely happy.
- Guidance on illustrated pages, poetry, or specialist layouts.
Our portfolio covers everything from clean, minimalist fiction to richly illustrated memoirs. Because we’ve handled the quirks of both KDP and IngramSpark many times, we can ensure your files are accepted smoothly.
Which Option Is Right For Your Book?
If you’re comfortable with software and enjoy hands on control, tools like Atticus or Vellum can deliver solid results at a low cost. If you’d rather focus on your writing, opting for professional typesetting will ensure your book meets industry standards and looks as polished as a traditionally published title.
At Spiffing, our role is to bridge the gap between creative control and professional polish. If you’re ready to give your book the layout it deserves, we’d be delighted to help.
