Book Design & Self-Publishing Ireland

Professional book design to help your story look its best in print

If you are self publishing a book in Ireland, transforming a raw manuscript into a finished physical product requires precise technical execution. Simply Design provides a complete, managed service for independent authors and businesses, taking your project from the initial interior layout and cover design all the way through to commercial printing and delivery.

Professional Book Design and Interior Formatting

A credible book relies on structural standardisation and comfortable readability. We handle the complete interior typesetting of your manuscript, ensuring consistent margins, professional chapter styling, and appropriate font selection. Whether you are producing a text heavy novel or a highly visual children’s book, we set up your files to meet strict industry specifications. This means you avoid the common layout errors that often delay print runs. If you are also building an author platform to market your work, you can visit our web design and development page to see how we help authors sell directly to readers online.

Book design and self-publishing support for authors

Custom Cover Design for Irish Authors

The front cover, spine, and back cover must be designed to precise printer templates. We create bespoke cover designs that capture the essence of your story while strictly adhering to the technical requirements for bleed areas and barcode placement. We can also incorporate your author brand identity into the design. If you need a specific author logo or publisher emblem, we highly recommend visiting our branding and logo design page to establish your professional image.

Printing Specifications and Paper Choices

We manage the entire commercial print production for your book, saving you from navigating complex printing terminology. For paperback novels, we typically recommend an 80gsm or 100gsm uncoated bond paper, while non fiction books with images benefit from a heavier silk coated stock. We regularly produce books in standard Irish and UK trim sizes, including B Format or the larger Royal size. You can choose between a traditional perfect bound softcover or a premium casebound hardcover, complete with your choice of matte or gloss lamination for the cover finish.

ISBN Registration and Print Ready Files

Navigating the administrative side of self-publishing a book in Ireland involves securing your International Standard Book Number. We guide our authors through the process of registering with Nielsen UK and Ireland, so your title is officially recognised by bookshops and libraries. Once the design is approved, we generate the exact high-resolution, print-ready PDF files required by the printing presses. If you require additional printed promotional materials for your book launch, you can explore our print design services page to learn how we can help with flyers and posters.

The Complete Production Process

From manuscript to final delivery, we keep the entire process clear and straightforward. We review your document and discuss your format preferences before beginning the interior layout and cover design. We share previews for your feedback and make adjustments to ensure total consistency and readability. Finally, we manage the print run so you receive the finished physical books directly to your door.

Book design FAQs

Yes, we offer complete print management for the books we design. We handle the technical setup and commercial print production, helping you select the right cover type, paper weight, and trim size to suit your specific budget and target audience.

Yes, we design and print books in a wide range of standard industry sizes and bespoke formats to suit your specific genre and page count.

Yes. We design children’s books, including layouts and covers.

Yes. We regularly handle both cover design and interior layout within the same project.

Yes, once the project is completed and paid for, the final print-ready files are entirely yours to keep and use for any future print runs.

The cost depends on the length of your manuscript, the complexity of the interior layout, and whether you need cover design, print management, or both. A short straightforward book is priced differently to a heavily illustrated or complex non-fiction title. Get in touch with details of your project and we will provide a clear quote.

Timelines depend on the length and complexity of the manuscript. A standard novel or short non-fiction title can typically be completed within two to four weeks once all content is finalised. Projects involving a large number of images or complex layouts take longer. We will give you a realistic timeline before starting.

A Microsoft Word document is ideal for most projects. We can also work with Google Docs or other formats if needed. For images and illustrations, high-resolution files of at least 300 DPI work best. Do not worry if you are unsure — we will guide you through exactly what we need before the project begins.

Yes. We design children’s books including illustrated layouts, picture book formats, and chapter books. If you have your own illustrations ready, we incorporate them into the layout. If you need illustration sourcing or creation, get in touch and we can discuss your options.

Yes. Simply Design also builds author websites and ecommerce shops, so you can sell directly to readers without relying solely on Amazon or bookshops. Visit our web design page to see how we help authors build their online presence.

Ready to turn your manuscript into a book?

If you’re planning to self-publish or need professional help preparing your book for print, we’d be happy to discuss your project and recommend the right approach.