Club ReadershipAfrican publishing house
Get published

Self-publish like a professional.

Free tools for independent authors: work out your spine width and full cover size, get margin advice, download a cover template and create a print-ready ISBN barcode.

Spine & cover calculatorISBN barcode generatorSelf-publishing steps
Tool 1

Spine & cover calculator.

Enter your book details. The spine width, full cover size and margins update as you type.

Your book

Spine width–
Full cover (with bleed)–
Paper–Sheets of paper in the book block
Inside margin–Thicker books need a wider gutter
Other margins–Keep text inside these

The template opens in Canva, Affinity, Illustrator and Inkscape. Pink = bleed (extend your artwork to the edge). Blue dashes = safe area (keep text inside).

    Results are estimates based on typical paper thickness. Printers’ papers differ slightly, so always confirm the final spine width with your printer before sending files.

    Tool 2

    ISBN barcode generator.

    Create a scannable EAN-13 Bookland barcode for your ISBN. It’s free, runs in your browser, and gives you vector files ready for print.

    ISBN barcode

    • Use the SVG or EPS for printing. They stay razor-sharp at any size.
    • Place the barcode on the back cover, usually bottom right, on a plain light background with a white margin around it.
    • Test-scan your printed proof with a phone barcode app before the full print run.
    The process

    Self-publishing, step by step.

    Doing it yourself? Here is the route from manuscript to printed book.

    1. Finish and edit your manuscript

      Get a professional edit and proofread. It is the single biggest quality upgrade for any book.

    2. Get your ISBN

      In South Africa, ISBNs are issued by the National Library of South Africa (NLSA). Each format (paperback, hardcover, e-book) needs its own ISBN.

    3. Choose your trim size and paper

      Pick the finished size and paper, then confirm the page count after layout.

    4. Lay out the interior

      Set margins, fonts and page numbers. Use the gutter suggested above so text does not disappear into the spine.

    5. Design the cover

      Use the template above for the exact spine and bleed, and add your ISBN barcode on the back.

    6. Print a proof

      Always check a printed proof for colour, spine alignment and typos before printing in bulk.

    7. Publish and launch

      Submit legal deposit copies as required in South Africa, then launch in print and online.

    Prefer us to handle it?

    From ISBN registration and cover design to layout, printing and launch, Club Readership can take care of every step.

    Publish my book