Book Layouts and Files

Begin Your Book Creation Process

The book creation process begins when our Production Specialists receive your files of cover art and text. We then review your files and book layout and contact you to discuss any missing elements.

For cover files:
We prefer to receive a single PDF file for the cover, but we will also accept them in InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Quark programs.

Please include any supporting files (images and/or fonts) with your cover files.

Double check to ensure your spine bulk is correct using the spine bulk calculator and the final page count. We have limited ability to adjust spine bulk in a PDF file. Include 0.125″ bleed in the PDF file.

For text files:

We prefer to receive one PDF file in single page format (no spreads). Pages should be created to trim size or 0.125″ bigger all the way around if your project has bleeds. Pages should not contain tick or registration marks.

A spread is the joining of two facing pages that are created to work as a unit in a double-sided document. A bleed is a design element that reaches to the edge of the page. In order to print a bleed, we print on a larger sheet of paper and then trim to the actual size of the book. Tick and registration marks are used for alignment in the printing and binding process.

If you need assistance with your files, please contact:

Tiffany Voorhees at 734-429-8717.

We also recommend the following PDFs for detailed instructions on how to lay out your book design.

Perfect Bound with Flaps Layout
Perfect Bound Cover Layout
Perfect Bound/Sew Wrap Dust Jacket Layout
Lithocase Cover Layout
Designers Bleed & Margin Sample
Casebound Dust Jacket Layout