To ensure the smooth processing of your files for print, please follow these simple prepress guidelines:
Files
Your files will be preflighted to ensure that they are suitable for printing and match the specifications of your specific project. A typical preflight checks that the files are the correct size, the fonts are embedded in the PDF, the art is the proper resolution, the colors are set to print as expected, and there is the enough bleed where applicable. The prepress operator will alert your customer service representative if a change needs to be made on your end. It is best to provide a portable document file (PDF). We would prefer to receive one PDF for your cover and/or jacket, stamp (if applicable), and one PDF of the interior. We are happy to provide you with instructions for PDF creation. We do not officially accept Microsoft Word documents for covers or text. When using application files, be sure to use the master page for placing folios or running heads and footers. This ensures that they fall in the same place on every page. No files? We can handle that too. The prepress dept. is equipped to scan a previously printed book if no files are available and you are the licensed copyright holder.
Our prepress team has the experience and expertise to ensure your files are ready to print.
Graphics
Halftones should be no less than 300 dpi at their placed size, and raster line art should be between 400-1200 dpi at their placed size. For halftones to print their best, they must have a highlight of no less than 3%, and a shadow of no greater than 90%. This can easily be adjusted in Photoshop under “curves”. Use Illustrator or Freehand for vector line art. If you are supplying art for us to shoot or scan, please give explicit instructions for placement and sizing (using low-resolution FPO’s in application files is the best).
Rules
All lines or rules in text or covers must be .25 pt or larger (no hairlines). Anything below this may not hold when on press.
Fonts
All fonts must be embedded in PDF files.
What we need
Please upload one PDF of your cover and/or jacket, stamp (if applicable), and one PDF of your interior here: Upload link. The upload link takes you to our WeTransfer site which is free, no registration required. Watch for a verification code in your email once you hit send.
