Family Cookbook – Half Page or Full Page?

You’ve decided! You’re going to make a family cookbook. But what size should you choose? A half page or a full page family cookbook?

When we began our journey into the world of cookbook-making software, we had some assumptions about what our customers would prefer when it came to the final size of their finished cookbook.

Half page or full page family cookbook – which is most convenient?

We assumed that a full page cookbook format was the most desirable because you could print one recipe per page with a sizeable photo. We thought this was logical because most home-use printers accommodate full size (8-1/2” x 11”) paper, and we thought that if you were using our cookbook-making software, you’d most likely be printing your cookbook at home.

Soon after launching our Matilda’s Fantastic Cookbook Software, we discovered a whole world of homemade family cookbook-makers who desired a half-page format (4-1/4” x 5-1/2”). Since then, we have been developing more half-page cookbook designs to accommodate your requests, and we have also found nice cookbook binders for those smaller half page cookbook designs.

How to choose whether to use a half page or full page for your family cookbook

As with anything, there are pros and cons to half page family cookbooks or full page cookbooks, as some customers have pointed out to us:

Half Page Cookbooks

• Easier to handle for anyone with small hands
• Saves space on shelves in the kitchen or in drawers
• Smaller type can be harder to read
• Single recipe per page unless recipe is too long
• Must cut full-size page to create half page

Full Page Cookbooks

• Can have larger type so its easier to read
• More recipes can be printed on a page
• Easier to print and assemble
• May require a cookbook stand

So which family cookbook would you choose to best suit your needs? A half page cookbook or a full size cookbook? Maybe you want a full size cookbook for more elaborate recipes and a half size one for those quick everyday ones?

Let us know why you choose one format over another! We are always thinking of ways to make the ”pros” even better and to resolve the ”cons” whenever possible.

You can be sure we will continue to listen to you, our customers, and create new versions of Matilda’s Fantastic Cookbook Software, including offering new page designs that fit both full page cookbook and half page family cookbook formats.

We truly do appreciate all your input on our forums, and we celebrate your efforts to preserve family recipes, histories and traditions in home-made family cookbooks.

Happy cookbooking,

Erin