File Preparation & Templates FAQs

What files do I need to send for printing?
PDFs. For most books, we need one cover PDF and one interior PDF that contains all the pages. Make sure the PDFs are in CMYK and include the standard 0.125" bleed. If the book has add-ons, such as foil stamping, we also need a separate masking PDF for that.

How should I prepare print-ready files, how do I set bleed, safe area, and CMYK?
For the cover PDF, it should include the front cover, back cover, and spine in one file, and you will need to download the template from us first. For the interior PDF, you should set it up in InDesign or another layout program like Canva. We require the standard 0.125" bleed, and you should also keep the safe area at least 0.125" inward from the trim line. When you export the files, make sure they are in CMYK.

Where do I get templates, and how do I calculate spine width?
You can generate hardcover, paperback, board book, and dust jacket templates from our site. The spine width is already built into the template generator, so you just need to enter the page count and paper stock. If you only need the spine width, for example for sprayed edge or edge printing design, we also have a separate calculator for that.

How should I send my files?
Send the files by Google Drive or WeTransfer to your account contact.

Should interior pages be set up as single pages or spreads?
Either is fine. We can take the interior file as single pages or as spreads.

What image resolution should I use for book printing?
300 dpi is the best target for book printing. That said, in real projects, many images come from cameras, websites, or older files and may not actually be 300 dpi. Even if an image is under 300 dpi, the result can still come out okay in some cases. The best first step is to inspect the image on your computer and see if there is any obvious pixelation. After that, if you want to check it more carefully, it is safe to order a physical sample from us and review it visually.

Can you help if my file is RGB instead of CMYK?
Yes. If your file is RGB, we can convert it on our end. It is pretty much the same process you would do on your side. You would still need to inspect the file after conversion and make sure there is no major color shift.

Can I use my own ISBN and barcode?
Yes. You just need to include the ISBN and barcode as part of your cover design, and we will print the files you send us. Services like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark often provide an ISBN because they also handle distribution. On our end, we are the printer, and we manufacture the books for you, so the ISBN usually comes from your side.

How should I set up files for foil, UV, or other finishing effects?
Set it up as a separate layer or separate file. Think of it like this: we print the color artwork first, then apply another layer just for the foil or UV, similar to how you would build layers in Photoshop. In other words, we need a separate file that contains only the elements for that finish and lines up with the main artwork. For the best result, the mask file should be in vector format.

What are the most common file issues that delay production?
Bleed, CMYK, and page dimensions are the most common issues we need to send back to customers. These are part of the normal precheck before production. Another delay happens when the files are already moving forward, then the customer finds a problem during the PDF proof stage and needs to replace the files. That usually causes a bigger delay because the job has to be rearranged and sent back into the queue.

Do you review my files before proofing or production?
Yes, we do. That is actually one of the biggest values we provide. Commercial printing has a lot of file setup details, so when we review the files, we go through our checklist and look for obvious issues such as page alignment, spine text position, and page count. Please note that this is a complimentary check. The customer still has the final responsibility when reviewing the PDF proof and giving the final approval for production. Our goal is to catch and flag issues early so they do not show up in the production run.

Can you fix small file issues for me, and is there a charge?
It depends. If you or your designer are having trouble making the adjustment, and it is something we are able to fix on our end, we can help. In general, though, it is better for you or your designer to make the change in the source file so there is one clear source of truth. That helps avoid having too many different versions with different changes, especially for future reprints. Our file adjustment charge is $80 per hour, and most small tasks we take on are about 1 hour.

How should I design full-bleed spreads across the gutter?
For hardcover, you can design full-bleed spreads across the gutter because we use Smyth sewn binding, and you can see all the way into the gutter quite well. For paperback, we also offer sewn and perfect bound options, but the spine area is still glued, so about 1/4" of the page will get lost into the gutter.