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Check List for Print Books

Jeff Montgomery -

Note: Please use Affinity or InDesign for print-on-demand books only, as other programs can cause issues with specs and layout. Many tutorials mention using Photoshop and Illustrator for image editing only, not for layout.

Cover
__ All Images are CMYK color and 300 dpi/ppi
__ Used proper Cover Template the Template Generator Page
__ For standard color books select standard 70 on the Template Generator
__ Remove barcode box on the back cover ONLY from the Cover Template. Be sure there is room for the printer to place a barcode on the cover.
__ If you would like to designate where the barcode should be placed, put a white box, exactly 0.75” wide x 0.5” tall, where you would like it on the back cover, and the barcode will be placed on that box.
__ Total ink coverage is under 240% We suggest using this color profile to keep your book in range. You can download it here CGATS21_CRPC1.icc. To install in WINDOWS, right-click a profile and select Install Profile. For MAC, copy profiles into the Hard Drive/Library/ColorSync/Profiles folder. After installing color profiles, be sure to restart Adobe applications.
__ File is PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant

Interior (B&W)
__ All Images are Grayscale and 300 dpi/ppi or Line Art 600dpi/ppi
__ Safety minimum of 0.25” and recommended inside edge .5”
__ Bleed of 0.125” included on 3 outside edges
__ Books that are 6.14” x 9.21” and smaller — 6 page signature
__ Books that are 6.69” x 9.61” and larger — 4 page signature
__ Last page removed or blank for use by the printer
__ Total ink coverage is under 240% We suggest using this color profile to keep your book in range. You can download it here CGATS21_CRPC1.icc . To install in WINDOWS, right-click a profile and select Install Profile. For MAC, copy profiles into the Hard Drive/Library/ColorSync/Profiles folder. After installing color profiles, be sure to restart Adobe applications.
__ File is PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant

Interior (Color)
__ All Images are CMYK color and 300 dpi/ppi or Line Art 600dpi/ppi
__ Black text is 100% black
__ Rich black is 60% Cyan / 40% Magenta / 40% Yellow / 100% Black
__ Safety minimum of 0.125” for art, 0.25" for text and recommended inside edge .5”
__ Bleed of 0.125” included on 3 outside edges
__ Books that are 6.14” x 9.21” and smaller — 6 page signature
__ Books that are 6.69” x 9.61” and larger — 4 page signature
__ Last page removed or blank for use by the printer
__ Total ink coverage is under 240% We suggest using this color profile to keep your book in range. You can download it here CGATS21_CRPC1.icc . To install in WINDOWS, right-click a profile and select Install Profile. For MAC, copy profiles into the Hard Drive/Library/ColorSync/Profiles folder. After installing color profiles, be sure to restart Adobe applications.
__ File is PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant

 

Double Check

 

  • All images must be 300 dpi/ppi resolution. The physical size of the image should be at least the same physical size (i.e., in inches) that it will be in the book.
  • Final PDF can not be over 240% ink limit.
  • All images should be CMYK. Do not use RGB or Lab colors. The colors may shift unpredictably during the export to print ready PDF process.
  • Preferred image formats are TIFF or EPS files. Refrain from using JPG or PNG files, which are more suitable for web publishing.
  • Header fonts shouldn’t be too large. The optimal range is from 24 pts down to 14 pts.
  • Body fonts should be 10 to 12 pts. (Line spacing or leading is usually 2 points more than the font size.)
  • In making your text fit into small spaces, avoid Tracking your text more or less than 20%. Otherwise, it will look too tight or too loose. 
  • Avoid widows and orphans: leaving a single word at the end of a paragraph or a single line at the top or bottom of a column of text.
  • Embed all fonts used in the document (all font families used, include all screen/printer fonts).
  • Black text should be made with a 100% black swatch, with total CMYK values of 0% Cyan (C), 0% Magenta (M), 0% Yellow (Y), and 100% Black (K).
  • Black elements should not be built in “Registration” black or with the 100% black swatch used for text. They should be built out of “Rich” black. For best results, we recommend the CMYK values of 60% Cyan (C), 40% Magenta (M), 40% Yellow (Y), and 100% Black (K).
  • CMYK total value should never exceed 240%.
  • All text is recommended to be a minimum of 0.5” from final trim size, and non-bleeding art have a safety of .25" from final trim on outside three edges and .5" on the inside edge. If text or images are too close to trim edges, they could be cut in the printing and binding process..
  • Do not add information or printer marks such as crop marks, web-press comments, etc.
  • You can place a barcode box anywhere on your back cover. If you do, the box should be white, measuring exactly 0.75” wide x 0.5” tall. Our printer will place a production barcode there during production. 

 

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