BOOKS – PRINT READY ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS

To ensure efficient production and avoid delays, all artwork supplied for soft cover books must comply with the following print-ready specifications before submission.

1. FILE FORMAT

  • Final artwork must be supplied as a high-resolution PDF
  • Preferred standard: PDF/X-1a
  • All fonts must be:
    • Embedded, or
    • Converted to outlines
  • Do not supply:
    • Word documents
    • Canva exports without bleed
    • Low-resolution JPEGs or screenshots

2. PAGE SIZE & DOCUMENT SETUP

  • Pages must be supplied at final trim size
  • Include:
    • 3mm bleed on all outer edges
    • Correct page order
    • Single pages unless otherwise requested
  • Do not add printer marks unless requested

Example:
An A5 book page should be supplied as:

  • Trim size: 148 x 210mm
  • With bleed: 154 x 216mm

3. SAFE MARGINS

Important text and graphics must remain within the safe area to prevent trimming issues.

Required Safe Margins:

  • Minimum 10mm from all trim edges
  • Minimum 15mm from the binding edge (inside margin)

Failure to allow for binding space may result in:

  • Text disappearing into the spine
  • Difficult readability
  • Uneven layout appearance

4. BINDING / GUTTER SPACE

Books with many pages require additional inside margin (“gutter”) space.

Recommended Binding Margins:

  • Small books: minimum 15mm
  • Thick books: 20–25mm or more depending on page count

The client/designer is responsible for allowing sufficient binding space.

5. COVER ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS

The cover must be supplied as one complete spread including:

  • Back cover
  • Spine
  • Front cover
  • 3mm bleed on all outer edges

Spine Width

Spine width must be calculated accurately according to:

  • Final page count
  • Paper thickness
  • Binding method

Do not guess spine width.
Confirm spine measurement with the printer before finalizing artwork.

Cover Safety

  • Keep all text/logos at least:
    • 10mm from trim edges
    • 5mm away from spine folds

6. IMAGE REQUIREMENTS

  • All images must be:
    • Minimum 300 DPI
    • CMYK color mode
  • RGB artwork may shift in color during conversion
  • Avoid images downloaded from:
    • WhatsApp
    • Facebook
    • Websites
      unless confirmed high resolution

7. BLACKS & COLORS

Recommended Black Settings:

  • Text black:
    • 100% K only
    • C40 M30 Y30 K100
    • Rich black backgrounds:

Avoid registration black for normal artwork.

8. TRANSPARENCY & EFFECTS

Before exporting:

  • Flatten transparencies
  • Embed all linked images
  • Check overprint settings
  • Avoid live effects that may render incorrectly

9. PAGE NUMBERS & BLANK PAGES

  • Ensure page numbering is correct
  • Include all intentional blank pages
  • Total pages must usually be divisible according to binding requirements

10. FINAL PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST

Before submitting artwork, confirm:

✓ Correct trim size
✓ 3mm bleed included
✓ Safe margins observed
✓ Correct spine width
✓ Images at 300 DPI
✓ CMYK color mode
✓ Fonts embedded/outlined
✓ PDF exported correctly
✓ No spelling/layout errors
✓ Final approval obtained

IMPORTANT

Artwork supplied incorrectly may require:

  • Additional prepress charges
  • Layout corrections
  • Delays in production

Files described as “print ready” but not complying with these specifications may be returned for correction.