What Goes on a Book’s Information Page?

If you are preparing a book and need an “information page,” the usual term is copyright page. It is commonly placed on the reverse side of the title page, so it is also called the title-page verso. “Imprint page” is another common name, especially when the page identifies the publisher.

There is no single universal template. The page’s contents depend on the book, its publisher, and where it will be published. The sections below cover the common elements and how to decide what belongs.

What the page is for

The copyright page records practical publication information. It helps readers, booksellers, libraries, and rights holders identify the work and its edition. It is usually part of the front matter, after the title page, though exact placement varies.

The copyright page is distinct from the title page. A title page presents the book’s title and author prominently; the information page supplies publication and rights details in smaller type. It is also distinct from a dedication or acknowledgments page, which may appear elsewhere in the front matter.

Common information to include

For a conventionally published book, the page may include:

• Copyright notice: the copyright symbol or word, the year, and the name of the copyright claimant, if applicable.
• Publisher and imprint: the publishing company, imprint, and sometimes its location or contact details.
• Publication and edition details: the first publication date and, when relevant, the edition or printing statement.
• ISBN: the International Standard Book Number for the particular format or edition. A paperback, hardback, and ebook may have different ISBNs.
• Credits: names or statements for cover design, interior design, illustrations, photography, editing, or typesetting, when the publisher wants to credit them.
• Rights and permissions information: acknowledgments of material used under license or a way to contact the rights holder.
• Production details: for example, the printer or a statement about the paper, if relevant to the publisher’s practice.
• Cataloging information: library cataloging data, when supplied for the publication.

Not every book needs every item. A short independently published ebook may need a much simpler page than a library-oriented print edition. Follow the publisher’s style sheet if one is provided.

A simple example

A fictional copyright page might be arranged like this:

The Garden Notebook
First edition, 2025

Copyright © 2025 by Mira Chen
All rights reserved.

Published by North Field Books, an imprint of Example Press

ISBN [assigned paperback ISBN] (paperback)
ISBN [assigned ebook ISBN] (ebook)

Cover design by Rowan Lee
Printed in Canada

This is an illustration, not a required legal formula. Use real publication details, and do not add an ISBN unless one has been assigned to that edition and format. A rights statement should describe the actual rights arrangement; it should not claim rights you do not hold.

What is required, and what is optional?

A copyright page is conventional, but the exact contents are not universally mandatory. For example, copyright-notice rules differ by country and can change over time. A notice can still be useful even where it is not required. Likewise, cataloging data, printer information, and production credits are included only when they apply or are requested by the publisher.

An ISBN is an identifier for a specific book product, not a substitute for a copyright notice. Whether you need one depends on how and where you plan to distribute the book. Check the rules of your publisher, distributor, and relevant national ISBN agency.

Common mistakes

• Calling it the title page: The title page and the copyright page serve different purposes, even though they are usually adjacent.
• Reusing an ISBN across formats: Print and digital formats may require separate ISBNs, depending on the publishing arrangement and ISBN agency guidance.
• Listing a date that does not match the edition: Check the publication date and edition statement against the actual release.
• Copying a rights statement without checking ownership: Confirm who owns the text, images, and other material, and whether any permissions or licenses apply.
• Treating a sample as a legal template: A sample helps with layout, but legal and distribution requirements depend on jurisdiction and circumstances.

If a publisher supplied a template, use it rather than inventing a new format. For a self-published book, confirm the ISBN and distribution requirements for each format, and seek qualified legal advice if ownership or permissions are uncertain.