I am considering using ClassicThesis (among other options) for typing my course notes. The problem is that ClassicThesis is customized for A4 (and A5) paper sizes, while I need letter size paper (8.5 in by 11 in or in a more SI-friendly way, 215.9 mm by 279.4 mm). I can change the paper size simply as
\documentclass[letterpaper]{scrreprt}
And as ClassicThesis is based on KOMA-Script, I can change the text area and margins using a set of commands like below as suggested in the package itself.
\areaset[current]{textwidth}{textheight}
\setlength{\marginparwidth}{length}
\setlength{\marginparsep}{length}
The question is what are the typographically correct dimensions to use?
A similar question is posted here, but there's no definite answer (well, expect for checking the guidelines given by Robert Bringhurst's book, to which I don't have access.)
PS. It shouldn't matter, but this is for a course in electrical engineering, which will include lots of equations and figures.
Best Answer
Try these sizes,
I would try and keep the ratio of the text area to the paper area to around 0.50.
Here, is a minimal that shows the calculation of this ratio and sets the dimensions.
You can vary the top and bottom slightly to your liking, if you wish. Best is to try printing a few pages of real text sample, before you firm your dimensions to see if it is to your liking.