Lulu Custom Cover Printing Overview

Using Lulu vs KDP

If you have a multi-author book and want to offer custom covers to each contributor, you can use Lulu to upload books with duplicate content. Note: Amazon KDP does not permit you to publish books with duplicate content.

Advantages

  • Lulu allows you to upload custom versions with duplicate content
  • Lulu allows you to publish instantly as Select Access or Private Access with no review process
  • Lulu allows to you provide direct links to allow contributors to order books
  • Lulu frequently offers discounts for purchasing books and/or free shipping
  • Lulu provides Volume discounts
  • Upgraded user interface
  • Choice of glossy or matte cover
  • Choice of creamy or white paper
  • Choice of 60# or 80# white paper or 60# cream paper
  • Preview feature which shows the cover and interior with margins

Limitations

  • Higher printing costs
  • Higher shipping costs

Trim Sizes Available on Lulu

Pocket Book 4.25 x 6.875 in The smallest Lulu format, used for fiction as well as references and poetry collections.
Novella 5 x 8 in Novella is a standard trade size, best used for fiction, poetry, and other short books.
Digest 5.5 x 8.5 in A smaller trade size, digest is one of the most commonly used sizes for fiction and nonfiction works.
A5 5.83 x 8.27 in Standard size for international trade paperbacks and hardcovers. Similar to US trade size but slightly smaller.
US Trade 6 x 9 in The most common size for trade paperbacks and hardcovers, used primarily for fiction but well suited for a variety of book designs.
Royal 6.14 x 9.21 in Royal is slightly larger than US trade, and works well for the same fiction and nonfiction content.
Comic Book 6.63 x 10.25 in Traditional size used for comic book printing.
Executive 7 x 10 in Executive size fits between US trade and US letter and is commonly used for journals and graphic novels.

Lessons in this training: