With 2026 underway and “the bleak midwinter” replacing the festive spirit for many, now might be the perfect time to find a little escapism by publishing your very own book. At the start of every year, we’re struck by how many budding authors and family historians arrive at Blissetts HQ with a New Year’s resolution to “finally get my book done.”
Some have been working on their project for decades, while others come to us with half-finished Word documents and suitcases full of photographs ready to be scanned and compiled.
Whatever stage you’re at, Blissetts are at your service. With that in mind, here’s our Top 10 Tips for the Perfect Book.
1. Start with a synopsis
A great first step for any author is to write a short introductory overview of their project. Think of it as a ‘covering letter’ for your book, outlining the content and any extra details. For example: “I am writing my family history. It will be around 150 pages, I plan to include about 40 photos, and feature chapters on relatives who served in WW2, including their old war records and postcards.”
This gives any collaborators a clear understanding of your plans and helps get things off to a positive, confident and very professional start.
2. Hardback or Paperback?
This is one of the most common questions we’re asked, “What type of book should I produce? hardback or paperback?” Deciding between something timeless but more costly, or something more economical but more prone to wear and tear..
We can help guide these decisions, but it’s always worth browsing a bookshop to see what styles, sizes and formats you like best. Our options are limitless and we have vast experience in producing brochures, yearbooks, logbooks and illustrated books too. Contact Us to book a visit and view examples from over 100 years of bookbinding!
3. Design it Properly
The art of book design and the difference between a professional publication with proper margins and page numbers, rather than a hastily exported Word document, is often not clear until a book is printed and bound, and regrets on not taking this aspect seriously are too late!
Our friendly and professional Design team are here to help you get all of these essential elements absolutely perfect, and we offer a discounted artwork rate when you print with us.
4. Decide on your words & pictures
For many authors, a key design and budget decision is whether photographs should appear within the text or as a separate section. Traditionally, ‘image plates’ are printed on glossier stock and are more economical.
Photographs included within the text often tell a more engaging story - though they do require more colour pages, production time and therefore add extra cost.
5. Foil or Illustrated? Dustjacket or Cloth?
The art of the book cover is as important as the content itself. From personal projects to trade editions, book covers and the art of bookbinding has driven our company for over 100 years.
Whether you’re considering a classic cloth cover or something more luxurious like real leather.. For options on foil covers, dustjackets, and even extra special touches like slip cases and boxes, we’re here to help ensure your book looks just right
6. Do It Yourself with our Photobook app
Some creators, particularly photographers, come to us with projects that require minimal external input.
For these professionals, we offer our award-winning Photobook software, allowing you to upload, design, and customise your book while still accessing our full range of options.
7. Add a Family Tree
One of the most common requests we receive from family historians is “can you help me design a family tree?” and the simple answer is “yes!”
A beautifully presented family tree can be the perfect finishing touch to any family history, ensuring everyone is placed exactly where they belong. Contact us today if you need help with your layouts and relatives!
8. Page Flips and Promotion
If you’re planning to sell your book, there are many excellent tools available to help promote it. Platforms such as Heyzine and Anyflip allow digital previews, while Mailchimp and Bravo support newsletter marketing. Print-on-demand services like Lulu can help manage costs, and you can even use amazing apps like Canva and Adobe Express to design your own covers and pages.
Blissetts can help coordinate all of this. We can even help you design your own dedicated website. Check out some samples of our previous work:
https://www.shepherdsgutter.co.uk
https://richardanderson.uk
https://blissetts.com/no-name
9. Barcodes and Beyond
We can also help register your book with ISBN, manage fulfilment, and handle packaging. Often the most stressful parts of publishing.
Our experienced team is here to support you every step of the way.
10. Go Bespoke
With over 100 years of experience in printing and bookbinding, we can offer almost limitless options. No project is too big or too small.
For more inspiration, explore our Photogallery and check out our Special Projects section. Contact us for more help and advice.