Independent Book Publisher’s Association Industry Standards:
These standards are divided into two main categories on the official IBPA Industry Standards Checklist: Content and Production.
Content Standards
Front Matter: Includes proper sequencing of pages, such as an optional half-title page, a title page with the author and publisher details, and a comprehensive copyright page containing the copyright date, holder, notice, and edition information.
Editorial Quality: Requires professional editing for grammar, punctuation, and flow, alongside a genre-appropriate writing style.
Back Matter: Covers required elements like an index, bibliography, or author bio when appropriate for the genre.
Production Standards
Cover Design: Demands high-resolution imagery, readable typography for the title and subtitle, and a properly formatted spine.
Back Cover: Must feature a well-designed layout, a compelling book description, an ISBN bar code with a retail price, and author photo/bio elements if standard for the genre.
Interior Layout: Focuses on clean typography, consistent running headers, proper margins, and readable font sizes.