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 Specs and Info
You must use the cover template generator to build your cover no matter what software you use to layout your book. Go to the Template Generator page to get interior templates and create your cover template.
STANDARD COLOR
Standard Color is available in all B&W trim sizes with additional color sizes.
Bind Types: Perfect Bound
Case Laminate
Page Range: 18 – 1200 pages
For current trim sizes, please see https://www.drivethrurpg.com/pub_pod_cost.php
PREMIUM COLOR
Premium Color prints on premium paper using existing, high-quality color print technology.
Bind Types: Perfect Bound
Case Laminate
Page Range: 18 – 900 pages perfect bound only
18 – 840 pages case bound only
For current trim sizes, please see https://www.drivethrurpg.com/pub_pod_cost.php
Quick Specs for Covers
The following are specifications that you should know when laying out cover files.
Resolution: 300 dpi The physical size should be the same physical size (i.e. in inches) that it will be in the book.
Color Space: CMYK Do not use RGB or Lab colors. The colors may shift unpredictably during the export to print ready PDF process.
LPI (lines per inch): 180
File format: PDF (.pdf) on the cover template from the Template Generator page
PDF Output Compliance: PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002
Template: Created the template from the Template Generator page only.
Spine: NO spine text for page counts below 48.
Cover Requirements
ALL FONTS: Must be embedded in all PDF files.
PDF COMPLIANCE: Files must be PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant.
TEMPLATE: Cover artwork should be placed within the crop marks on the correct template produced by the template generator. Please do not reposition any items on the template (except the barcode); all items (trim size / crop marks / spine calculation) are required and placed for the printer's specific print workflow.
NOTE: The only exceptions are the pink and blue areas that can be removed or covered up from EPS/PDF templates before submission. The final PDF should be created at the same page size at which it’s received. Artwork should not extend past the crop marks.
BARCODES: Barcode on the cover template should be deleted (the barcode on the cover only, the one below should remain) from the back cover.
- A Production barcode will be added to the back cover, make sure there is room for it.
- 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.
SPINE: NO spine text is allowed for books with page counts below 48.
MARGINS/SAFETY: 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 inner page. If text or images are too close to trim edges, they could be cut in the printing and binding process.
COLOR: All images in a cover file must be CMYK. Do not use RGB or Lab colors. The colors may shift unpredictably during the export to print ready PDF process.
BODY TEXT: For best results when using text that is 24 pt. or below, please use 100% black only: i.e., CMYK values of 0% Cyan (C), 0% Magenta (M), 0% Yellow (Y), and 100% Black (K).
BLACK / RICH BLACK / DENSITY: We recommend a rich black with CMYK values of 60% Cyan (C), 40% Magenta (M), 40% Yellow (Y), and 100% Black (K).
CMYK total value must not exceed 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.
INK COVERAGE: Total ink coverage should not exceed 240% anywhere on the cover. (Files sent with densities higher than 240% Ink Coverage will be rejected.) [See CMYK info just above]
SPOT COLORS / RGB: Please convert all spot colors (PMS / PANTONE) with or without transparencies to CMYK (even in supporting .eps files).
NOTE: RGB files received will be converted to CMYK before printing. RGB / spot color with or without transparency will produce unexpected color results. Any dissatisfaction with color shift will be the publisher’s responsibility to correct.
Black-and-White Interior Specs
Quick Specs
The following are specifications that you should know when laying out Black-and-White Interiors.
Resolution: 600 dpi for black & white line art
300 dpi for grayscale continuous tone images.
*The physical size should be the same physical size (i.e. in inches) that it will be in the book.
*Preferred image formats are TIFF or EPS files. Refrain from using JPG or PNG files, which are more suitable for web publishing.
Color Space: Grayscale
LPI (lines per inch): 106
File format: PDF (.pdf)
PDF Output Compliance: PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002
Bleed: 0.125” on outside three edges
Margins/Safety: Recommended minimum margin 0.5” for text and min safety of .25" for images on all sides.
Requirements
ALL FONTS: Must be embedded in all PDF files.
PDF COMPLIANCE: Files must be PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant.
MARGINS/SAFETY: 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 inner page. If text or images are too close to trim edges, they could be cut in the printing and binding process.
BLEED: All books need a .125" bleed space on the three outside trim edges. Do NOT add bleed the the inside edge (bind).
CROP MARKS: Please do not include crop, printer, or registration marks in a file. These are not necessary for the printer’s workflow. Marks included in a file could show up in printed copies or cause the files interior files to be rejected.
PAGE COUNT: Creating files with proper page counts will help to ensure the least amount of blank pages possible are added to the back of the book. This is not necessary, but if the publisher is concerned about blank pages they can minimize this by ending interior files of a book without padding pages, and the printer will add the additional pages necessary to achieve page counts during the setup and the print process.
- Books that are 6.69” x 9.61” and larger use 4 page signatures.
- Books that are 6.14” x 9.21” and smaller use 6 page signatures.
NOTE: The final page of all submissions must be completely removed and is reserved for a check barcode and information for the printer.
SPOT COLORS: Please convert all spot colors with / without transparencies to CMYK. Do not use RGB or Lab colors. The colors may shift unpredictably during the export to print ready PDF process. Any dissatisfaction with color shift will be the publisher’s responsibility to correct.
INK COVERAGE: According to the printer, this is not a requirement for B&W books, but given our years of experience working with them, total ink coverage should not exceed 240%
Color Interior Specs and Info
Quick Specs
The following are specifications that you should know when laying out text for a STANDARD COLOR or PREMIUM COLOR color book title.
Resolution: 300 dpi The physical size should be the same physical size (i.e. in inches) that it will be in the book.
Color Space: CMYK Do not use RGB or Lab colors. The colors may shift unpredictably during the export to print ready PDF process.
LPI (lines per inch): 175 visual – Standard Color
180 – Premium Color
File format: PDF (.pdf)
PDF Output Compliance: PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002
Bleed: 0.125” except on bind side
Margins/Safety: Recommended minimum margin 0.5” for text and min safety of .25" for images on all sides.
Interior Requirements
For both Standard and Premium Color Submissions:
PDF COMPLIANCE: Files must be PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant.
CROP MARKS: Please do not include crop / printer / registration marks in a file.
MARGINS/SAFETY: 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 (bind). If text or images are too close to trim edges, they could be cut in the printing and binding process.
BLEED: Graphics and art intended to print to the edge of a page should bleed a full 0.125” past the final trim size (except on the bind side). If an image used does not provide for enough bleed (full 0.125”), please extend a complimenting color the full amount of bleed required.
COLOR / RESOLUTION: All images in a text file must be CMYK. Images should be 300dpi/ppi. Those that are less than 200 dpi will be rejected. (Resolutions this low are considered too low in quality for printing) The physical size should be the same physical size (i.e. in inches) that it will be in the book. Preferred image formats are TIFF or EPS files. Refrain from using JPG or PNG files, which are more suitable for web publishing.
BODY TEXT: For best results for text that is 24 pt. or below, please use 100% black only - CMYK values of 0% Cyan (C), 0% Magenta (M), 0% Yellow (Y), and 100% Black (K).
BLACK/RICH BLACK / DENSITY: We recommend a rich black with CMYK values of 60% Cyan (C), 40% Magenta (M), 40% Yellow (Y), and 100% Black (K).
CMYK total value should not exceed 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.
INK COVERAGE: Total ink coverage should not exceed 240% anywhere on the cover. (Files sent with densities higher than 240% Ink Coverage will be rejected.) [See CMYK listing just above this one]
SPOT COLORS: Please convert all spot colors with / without transparencies to CMYK. Do not use RGB or Lab colors. The colors may shift unpredictably during the export to print ready PDF process. Any dissatisfaction with color shift will be the publisher’s responsibility to correct.
PAGE COUNT: Creating files with proper page counts will help to ensure the least amount of blank pages possible are added to the back of the book. This is not necessary, but if the publisher is concerned about blank pages they can minimize this by ending interior files of a book without padding pages, and the printer will add the additional pages necessary to achieve page counts during the setup and the print process.
- Books that are 6.69” x 9.61” and larger use 4 page signatures.
- Books that are 6.14” x 9.21” and smaller use 6 page signatures.
- The final page of all submissions must be completely blank or removed and is reserved for a check barcode and information for the printer.
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