Pre-Press Requirements for Trade Books

We have two requirements.
* All files must be submitted as single page hi-res PDFs.
* Printouts must be submitted for all files.
If you need tips on how to prepare files or how to convert your file to PDF, Click Here
Each PDF file is carefully checked with our pre-flight program and if there are any issues with your file you will be notified.

General File Requirements
The required file format is hi-res, single page PDFs. Application files if submitted will only be used as back up, and they MUST be the final version that the PDF was made from. We will not work on your application files to make any changes without additional charges.

Bleeds: If you have graphics that bleed (prints to the edge of the book), the minimum acceptable bleed is 1/8". Be sure your PDF includes bleeds.

Default resolution: 300 dpi.

Margins: Give your page comfortable margins. If an element is not bleeding, it should not be any closer than ¼” to the trim. If you are really unsure that what you have is OK, look at samples in your local bookstore.

File Preparation
Provide separate PDF files for the book’s interior (text), cover, casewrap (if applicable) and jacket (if applicable). Remember we use the word "text" to identify everything but the cover, jacket or casewrap.

While all books start with some kind of word processing program like MS Word or Word Perfect, NO printing process (other than the printer on your desk) can print directly from these files. Word files must be either converted into PDF format or flowed into a page layout program and then converted to PDF. This conversion can either be done by you for free or done by Budget Book Design for a fee. Remember: a file created in Microsoft anything, is not usable as is.

Remember in converting to PDF, save as printing press option not web use, or distill the file instead of exporting it. Create your PDF using the “single page” option- not spreads. All elements in RGB should be converted to CMYK in the application file before converting to PDF. For more tips on how to create a PDF file Click Here

All covers/jackets/casewraps are to be created in one piece including front, spine, back and flaps (on jackets). Templates are available at the Production Center at the website to assist you. Click Here

Bar Codes: If you plan to sell your books in a bookstore, you must include a bar code and it must be in gray scale. Budget Book Design can do this for you. Click Here

Sending Files/Disk Organization
Supported Media: ZIP 100, CD-R, DVD-R

One file is preferred for text and one each for cover, casewrap or jacket. (What you submit depends on how your book binds. For hard cover books a quantity of 400 or less use a casewrap instead of a jacket, and any paperback book has a cover.) If you have multiple files, list all files in the order they appear in your book.

Clearly indicate which files are needed for a particular job. Outdated versions of job files on disk only create confusion. Provide only the latest file.

Label your disk(s) with your name, the job name (book title) and indicate whether the file is text, cover, casewrap, or jacket. (Example “Jones/My Day at the Beach/cover PDF”.)