Page ANd Cover Layout: THE BASICS
Text files
Format your document to a page size that is the same as the final trim size
of your book. We recommend that you set a ½ inch minimum margin for the top, bottom, left, and right sides of your book. Do not, for instance, set up a 6 x 9 book on an 8½ x 11
electronic page size, or place two 5½ x 8½ pages on one side of an 8½ x 11
sheet. Include all blank pages (pages where printed folios do not occur in your
document). Please do not use spot color black in your documents unless you are familiar with how it reproduces in a CMYK workflow. It is very important to provide a complete set of full-size laser
proofs that match the final version of the electronic files you’re submitting.
When sending files, copy only the version of what is needed for output onto the
media you are supplying. Do not include previous versions of the document or any
files that do not pertain to the title we are producing. If you are submitting multiple files, please name them in the order in which they are to be assembled i.e. (001text.pdf, 002text.pdf, 003text.pdf).
Cover files
Covers are best constructed as one page, that includes front, spine, back, and flap copy (if applicable). Submitting these elements as separate pages or files may result in additional charges. The spine bulk, wrap, etc., is determined by the page count, trim size and binding style of your project. To receive a cover/dust jacket application file layout click below for our cover template generator service. This service will supply you with a supported application file setup to the exact dimensions for your specific cover/dust jacket. Any trapping essential on multicolor is provided by BookMasters.
Cover and Die Template Generator |
|
We also offer cover layout PDF forms for our most common bind styles. These are editable PDF files that will calculate the dimensions of your book cover automatically. By entering your specific page trim size, page count, and stock ppi information the form will automatically complete with your exact layout dimensions. Once completed the PDF form can be printed or saved to your hard drive. It is recommend that a copy of the completed form be supplied with your file submission.
CROP MARKS
Text files
Use the automatic crop (trim) marks feature from your page layout application.
Submit your laser copy with printed trim marks. Make sure that any crop marks
you place in your layout are clear of the live printing area, typically .125" away from trim or bleed.
Cover files
Cover and dust jacket files often require hand-drawn registration marks for the
spine and flaps. These marks should be drawn at a weight of 0.25" and set
to the color "registration" in your page layout file and also pushed .125" away from trim or bleed.
BARCODES
BookMasters recommends that all barcodes print in solid black ink
with a white background. Any other color schemes may result in scanning failures. Additional barcode suggested practices can be found
here, (BarCode Guidelines).
BLEEDS
Text files
A photograph, line illustration, tab, or rule is said to bleed when it prints
off the edge of a trimmed page. To make sure it trims properly, we require an
extra ⅛ inch of art to create an effective bleed. Do not accommodate for
bleed pages by changing your page size.
Cover files
As with text, any art or background color that prints off the edge of a
trimmed cover is a bleed. Again, an extra ⅛ inch of the element is required
to ensure a proper bleed.
IDENTIFYING FILES
It is important to keep your files organized and named in a way that is
easily understandable by those not accustomed to your project. Keep file names
brief while still communicating the content. Use a suffix such as .EPS to
indicate the type of art file. For example, use descriptions such as "001 - Ft. Matter 002 - Ch.1, ".015-Index", etc.
LINKS
Graphics produced outside the page program (like photo scans or
illustrations) appear on the screen and in the page program by low-resolution
"placeholders" - the data needed to image at the high resolution of an
imagesetter remains in the original graphic. The graphic is said to be
"linked" to the page file and it is very important that this link
remain intact. To keep from breaking the link, do not rename files or move them
to another location after they have been placed. It is also important to make
sure all these support files are sent along with the page files.
|
