Booklets
Overview
Booklets are a unique way to promote your products, services, or brand to potential and existing customers. Smaller than a typical magazine, our digest booklets are a snackable, tangible tool for storytelling.
Check out the following resources to get started with booklets:
Template Gallery for sample design inspiration and template
Booklets are exclusive to Enterprise edition customers. Upgrade your Print & Mail edition to gain access to this mail format, or reach out to our sales team to learn more.
Booklet formats
9x6” booklet
Like all other mail formats at Lob, this is digitally printed, which allows for dynamic personalization.
Available in 8, 12, or 16 pages.
There is a minimum order size of 5,000.
Booklets have a 4-day production SLA
8.375x5.375” booklet [offset]
Utilizes offset printing, a more traditional method of production for direct mail. Offset does not allow for dynamic personalization, but can allow for a higher page count at a lower cost than its digital counterpart.
There is a minimum order size of 10,000.
Booklets have a 4-day production SLA
Dimensions & specs
Layout dimensions
Booklet sheets are folded horizontally resulting in side-by-side panels to be read left to right, like a book.
Artwork should be submitted (and will preview) as a printer’s spread. Each of our layout templates include page numbers to guide you.
Please refer to our layout templates for where to place your design elements; pay close attention to address/postage block and safe zones.
9x6" layout templates
8.375x5.375" layout templates
The 8.375x5.375 booklet is produced on an offset printer & mailpieces cannot be personalized.
This booklet size is available in 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, or 32 pages.
Artwork considerations
Booklet sheets are printed double-sided in black and white or color.
Note zone around binding is 0.125” from either side of the midline/fold (.25” total). Artwork may be placed here, but note it will be impacted by the fold.
Minimum booklet size: 8 pages (2 sheets of paper, with 2 panels printed on the front and back of each).
Page count must increase by 4 pages (1 sheet of paper) at a time.
Maximum booklet size:
9x6”: 16 pages (4 sheets of paper)
8.375x5.375” [OFFSET]: 32 Pages (8 sheets of paper)
Ink-free zone dimensions
9x6” digest booklet
W x H: 4 x 2.375"
0.15" from the center fold line
0.125" from the top edge (including bleed)
Placement: Left panel outside back
8.375x5.375” booklet [offset]
W x H: 4 x 2.375"
0.15" from the center fold line
0.125" from the top edge (including bleed)
Placement: Left panel outside back
Paper specs
We use a few pre-approved papers across our commercial printer network. In ensuring uniform quality and consistency across all of our mail pieces, each paper source specification must fall within a small range.
9x6” digest booklet
Basis Weight: 80# Text
Full Bleed
8.375x5.375” booklet [offset]
Basis Weight: 60# Gloss Text
Full Bleed
Binding & Closure
For artwork, regardless of booklet size, note zone around the binding: 0.15” from either side of the midline/fold (.3” total). Artwork may be placed here, but it will be impacted by the fold.
All booklets, regardless of page count, will be saddle-stitched with two staples.
In saddle stitching, folded sheets of paper are nested in one another, then stacks are draped over a holding device (the paper hangs over each side like legs on a saddle). Then, long wire staples are threaded, or “stitched” through the paper; two staples is the standard.
All booklets, regardless of page count, will have a three-tab closure (wafer seals) for postal regulations.
Wafer seals are self-adhesive paper disks used to prepare self-mailing materials for delivery or to seal envelopes securely without glue.
Booklet best practices
Ensure your booklets get to their final destination by following these guidelines:
The "from" field is required for all booklets, regardless of the destination
Booklets should not contain any PII outside of the no-ink zone
HIPAA-compliant booklets are not offered at this time, as booklets are not placed in envelopes
Avoid any prohibited artwork to ensure your mail does not get rejected by USPS
Mailing Class options may differ based on destination and use type (e.g. promotional vs non-promotional)
Coming soon: Up next on our roadmap is a 9x6" digitally printed booklet offering full personalization via merge variables. Talk to your Account Manager for more information.
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