FILE CREATION GUIDE

3.4.24
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RESOURCES..................................................................................................................... 3
FONTS............................................................................................................................... 4
SUBMISSION NOTES....................................................................................................... 4
NON-SUPPORTED PROGRAMS..................................................................................... 4
COVER TEMPLATE GENERATOR................................................................................... 5
EBOOK.............................................................................................................................. 6

TEXT FILES....................................................................................................................... 7
BLACK & WHITE TEXT : QUICK REFERENCE............................................................... 8
BLACK & WHITE TEXT : REQUIREMENTS ................................................................... 9
COLOR TEXT : QUICK REFERENCE ............................................................................. 10
COLOR TEXT : REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................. 11
TEXT SETUP
BLACK AND WHITE................................................................................................. 12
COLOR...................................................................................................................... 13
PERFORATION......................................................................................................... 14
RTL (RIGHT-TO-LEFT)............................................................................................. 15

COVER FILES.................................................................................................................... 17
COVER : QUICK REFERENCE ............................................................................... 18
COVER : REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................... 19
PERFECT BOUND, SIMPLEX.................................................................................. 20
PERFECT BOUND, DUPLEX................................................................................... 22
CASEBOUND........................................................................................................... 24
DUST JACKET.......................................................................................................... 26
RTL (RIGHT-TO-LEFT) PERFECT BOUND, SIMPLEX........................................... 28
RTL (RIGHT-TO-LEFT) PERFECT BOUND, DUPLEX............................................ 30
RTL (RIGHT-TO-LEFT) CASEBOUND / DUST JACKET........................................ 32

CREATING A PDF FOR SUBMISSION............................................................................ 35

EXPORTING FROM INDESIGN............................................................................... 36
OPEN/SAVE A TEMPLATE IN PHOTOSHOP, SIMPLEX........................................ 37
USING PDF TEMPLATES WITHIN PHOTOSHOP, DUPLEX.................................. 38

TRIM SIZES....................................................................................................................... 39
TRIM SIZE MATRIX.................................................................................................. 40

This IngramSpark File Creation Guide details the requirements necessary for digital files uploaded into IngramSpark for
both print-on-demand (POD) and EBook distribution. To download the latest copy, please log in to your IngramSpark
account and click “HELP “on your dashboard. The IngramSpark File Creation guide contains much of the same information
found in the Lightning Source File Creation Guide.

We sincerely thank you for your business!

 RESOURCES

FILE CREATION GUIDE RESOURCES

ALL BOOK TYPES

SUBMISSION NOTES &

NON SUPPORTED PROGRAMS

COVER TEMPLATE GENERATOR

 FONTS

NON-SUPPORTED PROGRAMS
FILE CREATION GUIDE

SUBMISSION NOTES
IngramSpark expects to receive print-ready manuscript and cover files, and will not perform work of an editorial nature such
as proofreading, editing for content, typesetting, or making font alterations throughout a book. A digital file must be ‘print
ready’, and sent in accordance with the digital file submission instructions provided–to ensure that no problems will be
encountered during the manufacturing process. Files are processed as received and are not preflighted prior to processing.

Due to the complexity of processing and printing COLOR Books, no manipulation/edits can be made by IngramSpark to
any color book file submissions. This includes (but is not limited to) color correction or manipulation of color settings on
files that have been submitted.

IngramSpark allows for a 1/16" (0.0625 in / 2 mm) variance for ALL books printed. Please keep this in consideration when
designing any text and cover files for BLACK & WHITE / COLOR book titles.

NON-SUPPORTED PROGRAMS
Microsoft Word* / Microsoft Publisher
Adobe PageMaker
QuarkXPress 6.5 & older versions
InDesign CS2 & older versions

We cannot offer technical support with file creation or provide cover templates for any of these programs

*Microsoft Word: do not use the ‘shortcut’ button/icon in the toolbar to create a PDF of your text file. Please use the ‘print’
menu: for instructions on how to do this, download our walk-through PDF below by clicking on the link. You can also visit our
website, mouse over the ‘File Creation’ menu, and select the option ‘Digital Bookblock Creation (Standard Books)’

Microsoft Word: PDF Walk-through

FONTS
ALL FONTS must be embedded in all PDF files: COLOR / BLACK & WHITE, INTERIOR / COVER. To confirm fonts are
embedded, open the PDF in Acrobat, select the File menu, then Properties. The fonts tab lists the names of all fonts in
the file: (Embedded) or (Embedded Subset) should appear next to all fonts listed. If one of these tags is not listed, the
font is not embedded. Files with unembedded fonts will be rejected, and LS will request a corrected file. Please note the
default Acrobat ‘Standard’ setting does not embed base 14 fonts, and may cause a file to be rejected.

CERTIFICATION LOGOS
The right to affix the initial or any logo of FSC®, SFI®, or PEFC™ to the bookblock or cover of any book manufactured
by Lightning Source is prohibited. The placement of a logo, initial, or any claims of certification cannot be placed in or on a
book by a publisher. If a logo, initial, or any claim of certification is included on the bookblock or cover from a prior printing
it must be removed by the publisher before the book is submitted to Lightning Source’s digital library. If Lightning Source
discovers a logo, initial, or claim of certification in or on a book, Lightning Source will remove the certification claim at the
publisher’s expense.

4
 COVER TEMPLATE GENERATOR

FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER TEMPLATE GENERATOR

IngramSpark highly recommend the use of our custom Cover Template Generator. This tool is located on your IngramSpark
dashboard under “My Tools.” Once you complete the required fields a cover template will be emailed to you along with
instructions of how to complete your cover. Heavy traffic in requests may cause occasional delays so please allow up to 2
hours before resubmitting a template request or submitting a help ticket.

• Note that when adhering matte lamination onto covers with heavy ink coverage, minor adhesion
imperfections may be present at the fold areas of the finished book.

• Please do not move items on the template. The barcode centered on the back cover is the only item that can be
repositioned/moved to fit with your cover design. Please do not resize the barcode. The guides, guideline elements
and placement of the cover should remain in the original locations on the template: these are already set up for specific
printing requirements and workflow.

Note: if you opt to receive a PDF file from the template generator, the pink & blue areas should be removed or covered up before
submitting a final file. If the pink & blue areas are visible in your cover design, they will show up in printed copies. *InDesign templates
have the pink & blue areas on a non-printing layer, so it’s not necessary to remove these.

FILE CREATION GUIDE 5

 FILE CREATION GUIDE

EBook

EBook Distribution to online e-retailers

For every EBook title you will be uploading 2 files:

• Complete Interior EPUB (formatted as .epub) + Front Cover (formatted as .jpeg or .jpg)

EBook File Submission Requirements

EBook Interior File

• Format: EPUB 3.0 required. - EPUB (formatted as .epub)
• No single image inside an EPUB can be greater than 3.2 million pixels.
• We follow the industry IDPF spec on EPUB formats. You can find more information at http://idpf.org/epub.
• All EPUBS must be compliant with the most up-to-date validation. You can use the following validation
site to confirm compliance - http://validator.idpf.org/

EBook Cover File

• File is of the front cover only
• Must be a .JPG File - Size must be 100MB or less.
• Minimum of 1873 pixels along the longest side, 1600 pixels on the shortest side (350 dpi).
• All front covers must be RGB.
• The content of the cover image must not infringe another publisher’s or artist’s copyright on the same cover

6
 TEXT FILES

FILE CREATION GUIDE TEXT FILES

BLACK & WHITE TEXT
QUICK REFERENCE
REQUIREMENTS

COLOR TEXT
QUICK REFERENCE
REQUIREMENTS

TEXT SETUP
BLACK & WHITE
COLOR
PERFORATION
RTL (RIGHT-TO-LEFT)
 BLACK & WHITE TEXT : QUICK REFERENCE

FILE CREATION GUIDE

BLACK & WHITE TEXT : QUICK REFERENCE

The following are recommendations and specifications that you should know when laying out
text for BLACK AND WHITE BOOKS.

Resolution: 600 ppi for 1-bit black & white line art
300 ppi for 8-bit grayscale continuous tone images

Color Space: Grayscale

LPI (lines per inch): 175 visual

Preferred file format: PDF (.pdf) file–dimensions vary by trim size

PDF producer: Acrobat Distiller, Export from InDesign

PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002

Bleed: 0.125" (3 mm) except on bind side

Margins: Recommended minimum 0.5" (13 mm) on all sides.

File naming: Single file naming: isbn_txt.pdf or isbntxt.pdf

Accepted Submission Methods: web upload for files up to 1.5 GB (zip/stuff compression
accepted)

PAGE SIZE/LAYOUT
To determine the correct bleed size of your document with 0.125" (3 mm) bleed (added on the three trim edges), please
refer to the below chart for assistance for your trim size. If bleed has been added through Bleed and Slug settings, the “Use
document bleed settings” should be checked under the Marks and Bleeds tab when exporting the final PDF.

BLEED CHART : US BLEED CHART : UK, AUS

TRIM SIZE BLEED SIZE TRIM SIZE BLEED SIZE
4x6 = 4.125 x 6.25 152 x 102 = 159 x 105
4x7 = 4.125 x 7.25 178 x 102 = 184 x 105
4.25 x 7 = 4.375 x 7.25 178 x 108 = 184 x 111
4.37 x 7 = 4.5 x 7.25 178 x 111 = 184 x 114
4.72 x 7.48 = 4.845 x 7.73 190 x 120 = 196 x 123
5x7 = 5.125 x 7.25 178 x 127 = 184 x 130
5x8 = 5.125 x 8.25 203 x 127 = 210 x 130
5.06 x 7.81 = 5.185 x 8.06 198 x 129 = 205 x 132
5.25 x 8 = 5.375 x 8.25 203 x 133 = 210 x 137
5.5 x 8.25 = 5.625 x 8.5 210 x140 = 216 x 143
5.5 x 8.5 = 5.625 x 8.75 216 x 140 = 222 x 143
5.83 x 8.27 = 5.955 x 8.52 210 x 148 = 216 x 151
6x9 = 6.125 x 9.25 229 x 152 = 235 x 156
6.14 x 9.21 = 6.265 x 9.46 234 x 156 = 240 x 159
6.5 x 6.5 = 6.625 x 6.75 165 x 165 = 171 x 168
6.625 x 10.25 = 6.75 x 10.5 260 x 168 = 267 x 171
6.69 x 9.61 = 6.815 x 9.86 244 x 170 = 250 x 173
7 x 10 = 7.125 x 10.25 254 x 178 = 260 x 181
7.44 x 9.69 = 7.565 x 9.94 246 x 189 = 252 x 192
7.5 x 9.25 = 7.625 x 9.5 235 x 191 = 241 x 194
8x8 = 8.125 x 8.25 203 x 203 = 210 x 206
8 x 10 = 8.125 x 10.25 254 x 203 = 260 x 206
8 x 10.88 = 8.125 x 11.125 276 x 203 = 283 x 206
8.25 x 10.75 = 8.375 x 11 273 x 210 = 279 x 213
8.25 x 11 = 8.375 x 11.25 280 x 210 = 286 x 213
8.268 x 11.693 = 8.393 x 11.943 297 x 210 = 303 x 213
8.5 x 8.5 = 8.625 x 8.75 216 x 216 = 222 x 219
8.5 x 9 = 8.625 x 9.25 229 x 216 = 235 x 219
8.5 x 11 = 8.625 x 11.25 280 x 216 = 286 x 219

8
 BLACK & WHITE TEXT : REQUIREMENTS

FILE CREATION GUIDE

BLACK & WHITE TEXT : REQUIREMENTS

ALL FONTS must be embedded in all PDF files. Please refer to the FONTS section on page 4 for information to
confirm if your file has embedded fonts.

MARGINS/SAFETY: It is recommended that you provide a minimum of 0.5" (13 mm) margin on all sides of your text
block. LS allows for 1/16" (0.0625 in / 2 mm) variance in printing. If text/images are too close to trim edges, they could be
cut in the printing and binding process.

BLEED: A file that contains bleed elements is required to be submitted with 0.125" (3 mm) bleed added to the three trim
edges (top, bottom, outside) of the document. These elements must extend the complete 0.125" (3mm) to the bleed edge
of the document to ensure that the file prints correctly without any white margins when the book is trimmed. Please do not
add bleed to the bind (gutter) edge as this will cause incorrect positioning.

CROP MARKS: Please do not include crop / printer / registration marks in a file. These are not necessary for LS’s
workflow. Marks included in a file could show up in printed copies.

RULE LINES: For best results regarding rule or stroke lines in your document, a minimum size of 0.125pt at 100% black
should be used. Smaller point sizes or shades of black less than 100% may not produce consistent print results.

SPREADS/FORMAT: We cannot accept files in spread format (2-up per page). Files should be sent as one,
single-page PDF file. If submissions must be sent as multiple files instead, please refer to the correct file naming
conventions on page 8. Incorrectly-named files could process in the wrong sequential order and cause delays in
receiving a correct proof. (Premium color book submissions must be sent as one PDF.)

PAGE COUNT: All text files will be processed and stored in our digital library with a page count that is divisible by two.
The last page will be blank for insertion of Lightning Source’s manufacturing information. If necessary, Lightning Source will
automatically add additional pages to achieve appropriate page counts.

Books that are 6.14" x 9.21" (234 x 156) and smaller will be printed in either six-page (three front/three back) or 4 page
(two front/two back) single sheet signatures.
Books that are larger than 6.14" x 9.21" (234 x 156) will be printed in four-page (two front/two back) single sheet
signatures.

SPOT COLORS/ICC PROFILES: Please do not include Spot colors or ICC profiles in your file as these can produce
unexpected results during processing. ICC profiles applied to 100% black text often convert to a shade or percentage of
gray (less than 100% black). This will result in text in your proof that is not solid black. If text is intended to appear as solid
black, including Spot colors or ICC profiles can cause delays in receiving a correct proof.

REVISIONS: When sending a revision file, please make sure to send your entire file. Partial revisions (i.e. single-page
changes) will cause your interior to process incorrectly.

TITLES WITH HEAVY INK COVERAGE: For best printing results, titles with interior pages that have heavy ink coverage
on only one side of the page, and little/no ink coverage on the other side, should be printed on heavier weight paper. In
the event LS encounters this issue during printing, LS reserves the right to change the printing of the interior to a heavier
weight paper and adjust the cover to compensate for the new spine width to enable LS to fulfill the order.

FILE CREATION GUIDE 9

 COLOR TEXT : QUICK REFERENCE

FILE CREATION GUIDE

COLOR TEXT : QUICK REFERENCE

The following are recommendations and specifications that you should know when laying out
text for a COLOR or PREMIUM COLOR BOOKS.

Resolution: 300 ppi

Color Space: CMYK

LPI (lines per inch) : 175 visual

Required file format: PDF (.pdf) file–dimensions vary by trim size

PDF producer: Acrobat Distiller, Export from InDesign

PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002

Bleed: 0.125" (3 mm) except on bind side

Margins: Recommended minimum 0.5" (13 mm) on all sides

File naming: isbn_txt.pdf or isbntxt.pdf

Accepted Submission Methods: web upload for files up to 1.5 GB (zip/stuff compression accepted)

PAGE SIZE/LAYOUT
To determine the correct bleed size of your document with 0.125" (3 mm) bleed (added on the three trim edges), please
refer to the below chart for assistance for your trim size. If bleed has been added through Bleed and Slug settings, the “Use
document bleed settings” should be checked under the Marks and Bleeds tab when exporting the final PDF.

All sizes available in COLOR

Sizes in light blue also available in PREMIUM COLOR
11 x 8.5 available in PREMIUM COLOR ONLY
BLEED CHART : US BLEED CHART : UK, AUS
TRIM SIZE BLEED SIZE TRIM SIZE BLEED SIZE
4x6 = 4.125 x 6.25 152 x 102 = 159 x 105
4x7 = 4.125 x 7.25 178 x 102 = 184 x 105
4.25 x 7 = 4.375 x 7.25 178 x 108 = 184 x 111
4.37 x 7 = 4.5 x 7.25 178 x 111 = 184 x 114
4.72 x 7.48 = 4.845 x 7.73 190 x 120 = 196 x 123
5x7 = 5.125 x 7.25 178 x 127 = 184 x 130
5x8 = 5.125 x 8.25 203 x 127 = 210 x 130
5.06 x 7.81 = 5.185 x 8.06 198 x 129 = 205 x 132
5.25 x 8 = 5.375 x 8.25 203 x 133 = 210 x 137
5.5 x 8.25 = 5.625 x 8.5 210 x140 = 216 x 143
5.5 x 8.5 = 5.625 x 8.75 216 x 140 = 222 x 143
5.83 x 8.27 = 5.955 x 8.52 210 x 148 = 216 x 151
6x9 = 6.125 x 9.25 229 x 152 = 235 x 156
6.14 x 9.21 = 6.265 x 9.46 234 x 156 = 240 x 159
6.5 x 6.5 = 6.625 x 6.75 165 x 165 = 171 x 168
6.625 x 10.25 = 6.75 x 10.5 260 x 168 = 267 x 171
6.69 x 9.61 = 6.815 x 9.86 244 x 170 = 250 x 173
7 x 10 = 7.125 x 10.25 254 x 178 = 260 x 181
7.44 x 9.69 = 7.565 x 9.94 246 x 189 = 252 x 192
7.5 x 9.25 = 7.625 x 9.5 235 x 191 = 241 x 194
8x8 = 8.125 x 8.25 203 x 203 = 210 x 206
8 x 10 = 8.125 x 10.25 254 x 203 = 260 x 206
8 x 10.88 = 8.125 x 11.125 276 x 203 = 283 x 206
8.25 x 10.75 = 8.375 x 11 273 x 210 = 279 x 213
8.25 x 11 = 8.375 x 11.25 280 x 210 = 286 x 213
8.268 x 11.693 = 8.393 x 11.943 297 x 210 = 303 x 213
8.5 x 8.5 = 8.625 x 8.75 216 x 216 = 222 x 219
8.5 x 9 = 8.625 x 9.25 229 x 216 = 235 x 219
8.5 x 11 = 8.625 x 11.25 280 x 216 = 286 x 219
11 x 8.5 = 11.125 x 8.75 216 x 280 = 222 x 283

10
 COLOR TEXT : REQUIREMENTS

FILE CREATION GUIDE

COLOR TEXT : REQUIREMENTS

PDF COMPLIANCE: Files must be PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant. The PDF/X-1a:2001 setting is found in
the Professional versions of Adobe Acrobat 6 or above (listed as PDF/X-1a in Acrobat 6 Professional). The PDF/X-3:2002
setting is found in the Professional versions of Adobe Acrobat 7 or above.

Text files must be submitted as a single PDF file: submissions with multiple files will be rejected. Zipped/stuffed
submissions of single files are accepted.

SPREADS/FORMAT: Please do not send files in ‘spread’ format. Files should be sent as a single-page PDF file to
process correctly in our workflow. Files sent as spreads will be rejected for a corrected submission.

CROP MARKS: Please do not include crop / printer / registration marks in a file.

RULE LINES: For best results regarding rule or stroke lines in your document, a minimum size of 0.125pt at 100% black
should be used. Smaller point sizes or shades of black less than 100% may not produce consistent print results.

MARGINS/SAFETY: A 0.5" (13 mm) margin is recommended inside the trim for color book interiors. All headers,
footers, page numbers, body text and all non-bleed images need to remain in those margins. Any elements outside of the
safety areas are at risk of being trimmed.

We recommend a 0.125" (3 mm) white strip within the trim area, on the bind side of the page, for perfect bound and
hardcover books: this is in addition to the recommended 0.5" margin. Images and background color should stop 0.125"
(3 mm) from the trim edge of the page.

BLEED: A file that contains bleed elements is required to be submitted with 0.125" (3 mm) bleed added to the three trim
edges (top, bottom, outside) of the document. These elements must extend the complete 0.125" (3mm) to the bleed edge
of the document to ensure that the file prints correctly without any white margins when the book is trimmed. Please do not
add bleed to the bind (gutter) edge as this will cause incorrect positioning.

COLOR: All images in a text file must be CMYK. Images that are less than 72 ppi will be rejected for higher-resolution
submissions. (Resolutions this low are considered too low in quality for printing)

BODY TEXT: For best results for text that is 24 pt. or below, please use 100% black only.

BLACK/RICH BLACK/DENSITY: We recommend a rich black with CMYK values = 60% Cyan / 40% Magenta / 40%
Yellow / and 100% Black. CMYK total value should not exceed 240%. Elements should not be built in ‘Registration’ (100%
of all colors).
*Files sent with densities higher than 240% may be rejected for correction. Files with densities greater than 240% may
process and print without rejection. If these files with densities over 240% encounter print issues in future orders, LS
will require a corrected file from the customer.

TITLES WITH HEAVY INK COVERAGE: For best printing results, titles with interior pages that have heavy ink coverage
on only one side of the page, and little/no ink coverage on the other side, should be printed on heavier weight paper. In
the event LS encounters this issue during printing, LS reserves the right to change the printing of the interior to a heavier
weight paper and adjust the cover to compensate for the new spine width to enable LS to fulfill the order.

SPOT COLORS: Please convert all spot colors (PMS / PANTONE) with/without transparencies to CMYK, (even in
supporting .eps files). These may produce unexpected color results when printing. Any dissatisfaction with color shift will
be the publisher’s responsibility to correct.

COLOR & PREMIUM COLOR : BIND TYPE INFORMATION

Books that are 6.14" x 9.21" (234 x 156) and smaller will be printed in
either six-page (three front/three back) or 4 page (two front/two back) single sheet signatures.
Books that are larger than 6.14" x 9.21" (234 x 156) will be printed in
four-page (two front/two back) single sheet signatures.

FILE CREATION GUIDE 11

 TEXT SETUP : BLACK AND WHITE

FILE CREATION GUIDE

TEXT SETUP : BLACK AND WHITE

12 Emma Jane Austen 13

could ever speak of her but with compassion, though it had been Nobody thought of Hannah till you mentioned her--James is so
entirely a match of affection, when he was now obliged to part with obliged to you!” “I am very glad I did think of her. It was very lucky,
Miss Taylor too; and from his habits of gentle selfishness, and of for I would not have had poor James think himself slighted upon any
being never able to suppose that other people could feel differently account; and I am sure she will make a very good servant: she is a civil,
from himself, he was very much disposed to think Miss Taylor had pretty-spoken girl; I have a great opinion of her. Whenever I see her,
done as sad a thing for herself as for them, and would have been a she always curtseys and asks me how I do, in a very pretty manner;
great deal happier if she had spent all the rest of her life at Hartfield. and when you have had her here to do needlework, I observe she
always turns the lock of the door the right way and never bangs it. I
Emma smiled and chatted as cheerfully as she could, to keep him am sure she will be an excellent servant; and it will be a great comfort
from such thoughts; but when tea came, it was impossible for him to poor Miss Taylor to have somebody about her that she is used to
not to say exactly as he had said at dinner, see. Whenever James goes over to see his daughter, you know, she
will be hearing of us. He will be able to tell her how we all are.”
“Poor Miss Taylor!--I wish she were here again. What a pity it is
that Mr. Weston ever thought of her!” “I cannot agree with you, papa; Emma spared no exertions to maintain this happier flow of ideas,
you know I cannot. Mr. Weston is such a good-humoured, pleasant, and hoped, by the help of backgammon, to get her father tolerably
excellent man, that he thoroughly deserves a good wife;--and you through the evening, and be attacked by no regrets but her own. The
would not have had Miss Taylor live with us for ever, and bear all my backgammon-table was placed; but a visitor immediately afterwards
odd humours, when she might have a house of her own?” “A house walked in and made it unnecessary. Mr. Knightley, a sensible man
of her own!--But where is the advantage of a house of her own? This about seven or eight-and-thirty, was not only a very old and intimate
is three times as large.--And you have never any odd humours, my friend of the family, but particularly connected with it, as the elder
dear.” “How often we shall be going to see them, and they coming to brother of Isabella’s husband.
see us!--We shall be always meeting! _We_ must begin; we must go
and pay wedding visit very soon.” He lived about a mile from Highbury, was a frequent visitor,
and always welcome, and at this time more welcome than usual, as
“My dear, how am I to get so far? Randalls is such a distance. coming directly from their mutual connexions in London.
I could not walk half so far.” “No, papa, nobody thought of your
walking. We must go in the carriage, to be sure.” “The carriage! He had returned to a late dinner, after some days’ absence, and
But James will not like to put the horses to for such a little way;-- now walked up to Hartfield to say that all were well in Brunswick
and where are the poor horses to be while we are paying our visit?” Square. It was a happy circumstance, and animated Mr. Woodhouse
“They are to be put into Mr. Weston’s stable, papa. You know we have for some time. Mr. Knightley had a cheerful manner, which always
settled all that already. We talked it all over with Mr. Weston last did him good; and his many inquiries after “poor Isabella” and her
night. And as for James, you may be very sure he will always like children were answered most satisfactorily. When this was over, Mr.
going to Randalls, because of his daughter’s being housemaid there. I Woodhouse gratefully observed, “It is very kind of you, Mr. Knightley,
only doubt whether he will ever take us anywhere else. That was your to come out at this late hour to call upon us. I am afraid you must
doing, papa. You got Hannah that good place. have had a shocking walk.” “Not at all, sir. It is a beautiful moonlight
night; and so mild that I must draw back from your great fire.” “But

Above spreads are setup as an example of black and white interiors with bleed.
The inside gray box represents the .5” (13 mm) margins and the trim lines are represented by dotted red lines.
If submitting an interior without bleed, please build pages to exact trim size.

Layout and Margins

When laying out a black and white, non-bleed interior, the pages should be built to reflect the final trim size of the book (i.e.
6x9”). Within the document a margin of 0.5" (13 mm) is recommended and headers, footers, page numbers, body text and
all images should remain within those margins.

When creating a black and white interior with bleed, create your document to the correct trim size and add an additional
0.125” (3 mm) to the three trim edges of the page. Please do not add bleed to the bind (gutter) edge of the page.

Single Pages
When creating your final PDF file for submission, please ensure the file is created in a single-page format, and spreads are
turned off/deselected.

Resolution
For best results, images should be of a good quality and have high resolution for printing. Continuous tone images are
recommended for submission as 8-bit, grayscale. Black-and-white images are recommended for submission as 1-bit,
black-and-white.

Grayscale
For best results, all images should be converted to grayscale before submitting. Images submitted in a file as RGB or CMYK
will be converted to grayscale when printing–this can sometimes cause a color shift. Any dissatisfaction with color shift will
be the publisher’s responsibility to correct.

12
 TEXT SETUP : COLOR

FILE CREATION GUIDE

TEXT SETUP : COLOR

Above spreads are setup as an example of perfect bound & hardcover interiors.

The above example of a color interior spread is built with colored sections representing the different areas and how each
are to be treated.

Blue (Bleed) Area / Overall Document Size

To determine the final bleed size of your page use the following equation:

Final Width = Width of book + 0.125" (3 mm) bleed on trim side. No additional bleed is added to the bind edge.
Final Height = Height of book + 0.125" (3 mm) bleed on top + 0.125" (3 mm) bleed on bottom.

For example a 6x9" (229x152mm) book will have a final interior size of 6.125" (156 mm) wide x 9.25" (235 mm) tall.

If using a background color or image please take those elements to the edge of the bleed area.

Pink (Safety) Area

A 0.5" (13 mm) margin is recommended inside the trim for color book interiors. All headers, footers, page numbers, body
text and all non-bleed images need to remain in those margins. Any elements outside of the safety areas are at risk of
being trimmed.

We recommend a 0.125" (3 mm) white strip within the trim area, on the bind side of the page, for perfect bound and
hardcover books: this is in addition to the recommended 0.5" margin. Images and background color should stop 0.125"
(3 mm) from the trim edge of the page.

Red (Trim) Dotted Line

The dotted red line shown above gives an idea of how the book will be trimmed. The book will be trimmed .125"
(3 mm) on three sides. The bind side will not be trimmed.

FILE CREATION GUIDE 13

 TEXT SETUP : PERFORATION, COLOR 50#

FILE CREATION GUIDE

TEXT SETUP : PERFORATION

Perforation is available in limited trim sizes for perfectbound

books printed on Color 50lb. Weekly Class Review
See Trim Size Matrix for available trim sizes Name: ____________________

SUBTRACTION
Inside Margin: Recommended minimum 1" (25 mm)
Margins: Recommended minimum 0.5" (13 mm) on
outer three edges.
9 3 4 9
- 8 - 1 - 3 - 2

2 4 8 6
Perforated interiors are produced with a tiny line of perforation - 1 - 2 - 3 - 1

that allows for pages to easily be removed from the book.

Perforations are available in Black & White and Color products
in limited trim sizes. 1 5 9 8
- 1 - 2 - 3 - 8

This example of a perforated interior page is built with colored

sections representing the different areas and how each are to
be treated. 5
- 4
7
- 4
6
- 5
9
- 5

The example page has been layered to allow for the colored
boxes to be visible.
Above page is setup as an example of a right hand perforated page.
A left hand page should be created with measurements reversed.

Blue (Bleed) Area / Overall Document Size

To determine the final bleed size of your page use the following equation:

Final Width = Width of book + 0.125" (3 mm) bleed on trim side. No additional bleed is added to the bind edge.
Final Height = Height of book + 0.125" (3 mm) bleed on top + 0.125" (3 mm) bleed on bottom.

For example a 6x9" (229x152mm) book will have a final interior size of 6.125" (156 mm) wide x 9.25" (235 mm) tall.
If using a background color or image please take those elements to the edge of the bleed area.

Pink (Safety) Area

A 0.5" (13 mm) margin is recommended on the 3 trim edges and a 1” (25.4 mm) margin on the bind edge of perforated
interiors. All headers, footers, page numbers, body text and all non-bleed images need to remain in those margins. Any
elements outside of the safety areas are at risk of being trimmed.

We recommend a 0.125" (3 mm) white strip within the trim area, on the bind side of the page, for perfect bound and
hardcover books: this is in addition to the recommended 1" margin. Images and background color should stop 0.125" (3
mm) from the trim edge of the page.

Red (Trim) Dotted Line

The dotted red lines shown above gives an idea of how the book will be trimmed. The book will be trimmed .125"
(3 mm) on three sides. The bind side will not be trimmed.

Purple (Perforation) Dashed Line

The purple dashed line represents the placement of the perforation. This line is .5” (13 mm) from the bind edge of the
page. We recommend that you inset your inside margin an ADDITIONAL .5” (13 mm) from this line. Bleed elements should
extend beyond the perforation line.

14
 FILE CREATION GUIDE

TEXT SETUP : RTL (RIGHT-TO-LEFT)

figure 1

Case Bound / Jacketed Books

Reverse Binding is used for this text set-up (spine is on the right side of the book when closed and
looking at the front cover). This format is commonly used with the following languages: Arabic, Hebrew,
Kurdish (Sorani), Persian/farsi etc...
For case bound and jacketed books the inte
last page of text presented as the first page
The
Lightning Source can manufacture books for RTL intended text
content. RTLwill notwriting
(right-to-left) be starts
rotatedfrom the 180º (figure 3).
right of the
page and continues to the left. Interior pages should be set-up in reverse page order (last page of text presented as the first
page) using the same rules and requirements for Black and White, Color, or Premium Color Interior files.
The cover will not be rotated as with the pe
(figure 4).
The information provided below explains how to set-up RTL (Right-to-Left) interior files for LS manufacturing process.

* Please note that when the book is produced, the LS

of the process used in producing reverse bound book

RTL Books Interior Set-Up

RTL interiors are produced in reverse order. The
submitted file will have the last page of text presented as
the first page of the PDF (and the first page of text as the
last page of the PDF).

PDFs must be submitted with an even number of pages to avoid

an undesired shifting of interior content pagination.

* Please note that when the book is produced, the LS barcode

page will appear on the first page of text. This is normal and is a
result of the process used in producing reverse bound books. figure 3
Above pages are setup as an example of RTL (Right-to-Left)

© Copyright 2010
Lightning Source® and the Lightning Source Logo are Registe

FILE CREATION GUIDE 15

 FILE CREATION GUIDE

16
 COVER FILES

FILE CREATION GUIDE COVER FILES

COVER
QUICK REFERENCE
REQUIREMENTS

COVER SETUP : USING A TEMPLATE

PERFECT BOUND, SIMPLEX
PERFECT BOUND, DUPLEX
CASEBOUND
JACKET
 COVER : QUICK REFERENCE

FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER : QUICK REFERENCE

The following are recommendations and specifications that you should know
when laying out cover for all book types.

Resolution: 300 ppi

Color Space: CMYK

LPI (lines per inch): 180

Required file format: PDF (.pdf) file on LS cover template

(template dimensions vary by trim size)
SIMPLEX: 1-page PDF
DUPLEX: 2-page PDF (Perfect Bound ONLY, limited trim sizes)

PDF producer: Acrobat Distiller–PDF/X-1a:2001, PDF/X-3:2002

Export from InDesign–PDF/X-1a:2001, PDF/X-3:2002

Bleed: 0.125" (3 mm) all sides

Type Safety: 0.25" (6 mm) recommended minimum on all sides

(LS templates will allow down to 0.125" (3 mm) safety)

Spine Type Safety: 0.0625" (2 mm) left/right sides for spines 0.35" and larger
0.03125" (1 mm) left/right sides for spines smaller than 0.35"
NO spine text allowed for Perfect Bound books with
page counts below 48.

Duplex Inside Spine Safety: spine width must be left blank + additional 0.0625" (2mm) on each
side of the spine
*LS reserves the right to place a white "no-ink" area over the inside
spine + additional 0.0625" area on each side of the spine

Accepted Submission Methods: web upload for files up to 1.5 GB (zip/stuff compression accepted)

File naming: isbn_cov.pdf or isbncov.pdf

isbn_cvr.pdf or isbncvr.pdf
isbn_jacket.pdf or isbnjacket.pdf
isbn_jkt.pdf or isbnjkt.pdf

18
 COVER : REQUIREMENTS

FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER : REQUIREMENTS
PDF COMPLIANCE: Files must be PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant. The PDF/X-1a:2001 setting is found in
the Professional versions of Adobe Acrobat 6 or above (listed as PDF/X-1a in Acrobat 6 Professional). The PDF/X-3:2002
setting is found in the Professional versions of Adobe Acrobat 7 or above.

TEMPLATE: Cover artwork should be placed within the crop marks on the correct template produced by the template
generator. All templates should be ordered and files built with a mod2 spine calculation (page count divisible by 2). *For
instructions on ordering a template, refer to pages 5 & 6.

Please do not reposition any items on the template (except the barcode) – all items (trim size / crop marks / spine
calculation) are required and placed for LS’s specific printing workflow. *Note: The only exceptions are the pink and blue
areas have to be removed or covered up from EPS/PDF templates before submission.

Final PDF should be created at the size it’s received. Artwork should not extend past the crop marks.

BARCODES: mandatory on all covers. Barcodes on LS cover templates CAN be moved or repositioned on the back
cover, but please do not resize the barcode.
–Barcodes created by the publisher should be 100% black only, and placed on a white box/background.
–LS will add/replace barcodes that are unscannable or incorrect. We will add a generic barcode if the
book does not have an ISBN assigned to it. The publisher may not be notified if this manipulation is made.
–If you’re unable to supply a barcode, please leave an area of at least 1.75" wide x 1" high for LS to place
a barcode on the back cover.

BLEED: 0.125" (3 mm) bleed is required on all four sides. Graphics, illustrations, and color intended to print past the edge
of a cover should bleed a full 0.125" past the final trim size.

SPINE: NO spine text allowed for Perfect Bound books with page counts below 48.

MARGINS: 0.25" (6 mm) recommended margin on all sides from final trim size. LS templates allow down to 0.125"
(3 mm) safety. This applies to non-bleeding text & art.

COLOR: All images in a cover file must be CMYK. Images that are less than 200 ppi may be rejected for
higher-resolution submissions. (resolutions this low are considered too low in quality for printing)

BODY TEXT: For best results for text that is 24 pt. or below, please use 100% black only.

BLACK/RICH BLACK/DENSITY: We recommend a rich black with CMYK values = 60% Cyan / 40% Magenta / 40%
Yellow / and 100% Black. CMYK total value should not exceed 240%. Elements should not be built in ‘Registration’ (100%
of all colors). *Files sent with densities higher than 240% may be rejected for correction.

Files with densities greater than 240% may process and print without rejection. If these files with densities over 240%
encounter print issues in future orders, LS will require a corrected file from the customer.

SPOT COLORS/RGB: Please convert all spot colors (PMS / PANTONE) with/without transparencies to CMYK,
(even in supporting .eps files). *Note: RGB files received will be converted to CMYK before printing. RGB / spot color with/
without transparency may produce unexpected color results when printing.
Any dissatisfaction with color shift will be the publisher’s responsibility to correct.

FILE CREATION GUIDE 19

 COVER SETUP : PERFECT BOUND, SIMPLEX

FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : PERFECT BOUND, SIMPLEX

Pink (Safe) Area

All text, important images, logos and the barcode should all remain inside the pink area. This area lies 0.125" (3 mm) in-
side of the trim area and spine fold area and is safe from being trimmed / wrapped when the book is produced. *For the
best results on the front and back covers, LS recommends keeping text an additional 0.125" (3 mm) inside of the pink
safety boxes (for a full 0.25" / 6 mm safety).

Blue (Bleed) Area

The bleed area is the area which extends 0.125" (3 mm) beyond the trim lines and on each side of the spine.
All background color / images should extend throughout this area. Please note that any important images and text within
the blue areas are at risk of being trimmed or caught within the fold.

White (Template) Area

The template area also contains trim marks, fold marks, book size and spine width information and a barcode for internal
use. Please leave all elements outside of the pink and blue areas unaltered.

Barcode Placement
The barcode may be moved to any location within the pink area of the back cover. The barcode is a live element within
InDesign templates but part of the overall image if using a PDF or EPS. Depending on the software used, when using the
PDF or EPS template the barcode can be copied and pasted onto a new layer with the appropriate tools.

Template Size
Templates are created and distributed at a specific size. This size is listed at the bottom left of the template and should
remain at that size when opening, designing upon and creating a PDF from. Additional crop marks
and/or additional canvas size should not be added.

Pink and blue boxes must be completely covered when cover is submitted.

20
 FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP: PERFECT BOUND, SIMPLEX

1
3 Additional information about
using a template

1) Spine safety area

If the cover has a spine width greater than 0.35"
(9 mm), the spine safety is 0.0625" (2 mm).
If the spine width is less than 0.35" (9 mm)
2 the spine safety is 0.03125" (1mm). The pink
box presented on the template will reflect the
correct safety size. Books with a page count
below 48 pages cannot contain spine text.

2) Bleed elements
Elements needing to go to the edge of the
cover should be taken beyond the pink safety
area and to the far edge of the blue bleed area.
All non bleed elements need to remain in the pink
safety area.
3
1 3) Borders and straight lines
Lightning Source does not recommend us-
ing borders close to the trim / fold areas of the
books. This is because of the slight variances
that may occur during the printing and binding
process. If you choose to use a border please
keep all straight edges an additional 0.125"
(3 mm) inside of the pink safety areas.

FILE CREATION GUIDE 21

 COVER SETUP : PERFECT BOUND, DUPLEX

FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : PERFECT BOUND, DUPLEX

First page of the template - Outside Cover Second page of the template - Inside Cover

Pink (Safe) Area

All text, important images, logos and the barcode should all remain inside the pink area. This area lies 0.125" (3 mm) inside
of the trim area and spine fold area and is safe from being trimmed / wrapped when the book is produced. *For the best
results on the front and back covers, LS recommends keeping text an additional 0.125" (3 mm) inside of the pink safety
boxes (for a full 0.25" / 6 mm safety).

Blue (Bleed) Area

The bleed area is the area which extends 0.125" (3 mm) beyond the trim lines and on each side of the spine. All background
color / images should extend throughout this area. Please note that any important images and text within the blue areas
are at risk of being trimmed or caught within the fold.

White (Template) Area

The template area also contains trim marks, fold marks, book size and spine width information and a barcode for internal
use. Please leave all elements outside of the pink and blue areas unaltered.

Barcode Placement
The barcode may be moved to any location within the pink area of the back cover. The barcode is a live element within
InDesign templates but part of the overall image if using a PDF or EPS. Depending on the software used, when using the
PDF or EPS template the barcode can be copied and pasted onto a new layer with the appropriate tools.

Template Size
Templates are created and distributed at a specific size. This size is listed at the bottom left of the template and should
remain at that size when opening, designing upon and creating a PDF from. Additional crop marks and/or additional canvas
size should not be added.

No Ink Area - Inside Spine

For the inside cover, the spine area and .0625” (2mm) on each side of the spine must be white and contain no color. This
will allow for proper adhesion when the book is produced. Lightning Source reserves the right to place a white, no-ink area
over the inside spine if color is present.

Pink and blue boxes must be completely covered when cover is submitted.

22
 FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : PERFECT BOUND, DUPLEX

1
3
3 1

2 2

Additional information about using a template

1) Spine safety area

If the cover has a spine width greater than 0.35" (9 mm), the spine safety is 0.0625" (2 mm). If the spine width is less than
0.35" (9 mm) the spine safety is 0.0325" (1mm). The pink box presented on the template will reflect the correct safety
size. Books with a page count below 48 pages cannot contain spine text.

2) Bleed elements
Elements needing to go to the edge of the cover should be taken beyond the pink safety area and to the far edge of the
blue bleed area. All nonbleed elements need to remain in the pink safety area.

3) Borders and straight lines

Lightning Source does not recommend using borders close to the trim / fold areas of the books. This is because of the
slight variances that may occur during the printing and binding process. If you choose to use a border please keep all
straight edges an additional 0.125" (3 mm) inside of the pink safety areas.

4) No Ink - Inside Spine

To allow for proper adhesion when the book is bound, the inside spine area and .0625” (2mm) on each side of the spine
must be white and contain no color. Lightning Source reserves the right to place a white, no-ink area over the inside
spine if color is present.

2
2

FILE CREATION GUIDE 23

 COVER SETUP : CASEBOUND

FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : CASEBOUND

Pink (Safe) Area

All text, important images, logos and the barcode should all remain inside the pink area. This area lies 0.125" (3 mm)
inside of the fold lines (around the parameter of the cover) and outside of the lines indicating the gutter area. This area is
completely safe from being wrapped when the book is produced and will not be affected by the gutter indention. *For the
best results on the front and back covers, LS recommends keeping text an additional 0.125" (3 mm) inside of the pink
safety boxes (for a full 0.25" / 6 mm safety).

Blue (Bleed) Area

The bleed area is the area which extends 0.625" (16 mm) beyond the fold lines, the area inside the gutter and includes a
small safety area on the spine. All background color / images should extend throughout this area. Please note that any
important images and text within the blue areas are at risk of being folded or affected by the gutter.

White (Template) Area

The template area also contains trim marks, fold marks and book size and spine width information. Please leave all
elements outside of the pink and blue areas unaltered.

Barcode Placement
The barcode may be moved to any location within the pink area of the back cover. The barcode is a live element within
InDesign templates but part of the overall image if using a PDF or EPS. Depending on the software used, when using the
PDF or EPS template the barcode can be copied and pasted onto a new layer with the appropriate tools.

Template Size
Templates are created and distributed at a specific size. This size is listed at the bottom left of the template and should
remain at that size when opening, designing upon and creating a PDF from. Additional crop marks and/or additional canvas
size should not be added.

Pink and blue boxes must be completely covered when cover is submitted.

24
 FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : CASEBOUND

Additional information about

using a template
1
1) Spine safety area
3 If the cover has a spine width greater than
0.35" (9 mm), the spine safety is 0.0625"
(2.00mm). If the spine width is less than 0.35"
(9 mm) the spine safety is 0.03125" (1mm).
4 The pink box presented on the template will
reflect the correct safety size.

2 2) Bleed elements
Elements needing to extend to the edge of the
cover should be taken beyond the pink safety
area and to the outside edge of the blue bleed
area. Artwork that extends to the bleed edge
will be folded and wrapped around the case
board during manufacturing.

Any elements that are not to be affected by

3 folding or the gutter need to remain in the pink
safety area.
1
3) Borders and straight lines
Lightning Source does not recommend
using borders close to the trim / fold area
4 2 of the books. This is because of the slight
variances that may occur during the printing
and binding process. If you choose to use
a border please keep all straight edges an
additional 0.125" (3 mm) inside of the pink
safety areas.

4) Gutter Area
Casebound books contain an area where the spine board is connected to the front and back cover boards. This area will be
pliable and have a slight indention. To ensure cover elements are not obscured by the indention, please keep all important
elements outside of the gutter bleed area.

FILE CREATION GUIDE 25

 COVER SETUP : DUST JACKET

FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : DUST JACKET

Pink (Safe) Area

All text, important images, logos and the barcode should all remain inside the pink area. This area lies 0.125” (3mm) inside
of the fold lines (to each side of the spine and flaps) and outside of the trim lines. This area is completely safe from being
wrapped or trimmed when the book is produced. *For the best results on the front and back covers, LS recommends
keeping text an additional 0.125" (3 mm) inside of the pink safety boxes (for a full 0.25" / 6 mm safety).

Blue (Bleed) Area

The bleed area is the area which extends 0.125" (3mm) beyond the trim lines, an area inside of and to the sides of the spine
and a 0.25" (6mm) strip that connects the front and back covers to the dust jacket flaps. All background color / images
should extend throughout these areas. Please note that any important images and text within the blue areas are at risk of
being folded or trimmed.

White (Template) Area

The template area also contains trim marks, fold marks and book size and spine width information. Please leave all
elements outside of the pink and blue areas unaltered.

Barcode Placement
The barcode may be moved to any location within the pink area of the back cover. The barcode is a live element within
InDesign templates but part of the overall image if using a PDF or EPS. Depending on the software used, when using the
PDF or EPS template the barcode can be copied and pasted onto a new layer with the appropriate tools.

Template Size
Templates are created and distributed at a specific size. This size is listed at the bottom left of the template and should
remain at that size when opening, designing upon and creating a PDF from. Additional crop marks and/or additional canvas
size should not be added.

Pink and blue boxes must be completely covered when cover is submitted.

26
 FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : DUST JACKET

1 3

2 4

Additional information about using a template

1) Spine safety area

If the cover has a spine width greater than 0.35" (9 mm), the spine safety is
0.0625" (2.00mm). If the spine width is less than 0.35" (9 mm) the spine safety
is 0.03125" (1 mm). The pink box presented on the template will reflect the
1 3 correct safety size.

2) Bleed elements
Elements needing to go to the edge of the cover should be taken beyond the
pink safety area and onto the far edge of the blue bleed area. To bleed covers
on the side of the front and back covers take the bleed elements through the
wrap area to the line that designates the end of the wrap. Any elements that
are not to be trimmed need to remain in the pink safety area.

3) Borders and straight lines

Lightning Source does not recommend using borders close to the trim / fold
area of the books. This is because of the slight variances that may occur dur-
2 ing the printing and binding process. If you choose to use a border please
keep all straight edges an additional 0.125" (3 mm) inside of the pink safety
areas.

4) Flap Area
Dust jackets have an additional 3.25" (82.55mm) area that wraps around the hardcover book. This area contains the
same safety requirements as the rest of the cover with the addition on a 0.25" (6mm) wrap area between the front/back
covers and flaps.

FILE CREATION GUIDE 27

 FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : RTL (RIGHT-TO-LEFT) PERFECT BOUND, SIMPLEX

Pink (Safe) Area

All text, important images, logos and the barcode should all remain inside the pink area. This area lies 0.125" (3 mm) in-
side of the trim area and spine fold area and is safe from being trimmed / wrapped when the book is produced. *For the
best results on the front and back covers, LS recommends keeping text an additional 0.125" (3 mm) inside of the pink
safety boxes (for a full 0.25" / 6 mm safety).

Blue (Bleed) Area

The bleed area is the area which extends 0.125" (3 mm) beyond the trim lines and on each side of the spine.
All background color / images should extend throughout this area. Please note that any important images and text within
the blue areas are at risk of being trimmed or caught within the fold.

White (Template) Area

The template area also contains trim marks, fold marks, book size and spine width information and a barcode for internal
use. Please leave all elements outside of the pink and blue areas unaltered.

Barcode Placement
The barcode may be moved to any location within the pink area of the back cover. The barcode is a live element within
InDesign templates but part of the overall image if using a PDF or EPS. Depending on the software used, when using the
PDF or EPS template the barcode can be copied and pasted onto a new layer with the appropriate tools.

Template Size
Templates are created and distributed at a specific size. This size is listed at the bottom left of the template and should
remain at that size when opening, designing upon and creating a PDF from. Additional crop marks
and/or additional canvas size should not be added.

Pink and blue boxes must be completely covered when cover is submitted.
28
 FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : RTL (RIGHT-TO-LEFT) PERFECT BOUND, SIMPLEX

The cover is built differently than a standard book whereas the back and front covers are reversed.
To process correctly the cover will need to be placed on the LS template and reversed (as shown below).

1
Additional information about
3 using a template

1) Spine safety area

If the cover has a spine width greater than 0.35"
(9 mm), the spine safety is 0.0625" (2 mm).
If the spine width is less than 0.35" (9 mm)
the spine safety is 0.03125" (1mm). The pink
box presented on the template will reflect the
2 correct safety size. Books with a page count
below 48 pages cannot contain spine text.

2) Bleed elements
Elements needing to go to the edge of the
cover should be taken beyond the pink safety
area and to the far edge of the blue bleed area.
All non bleed elements need to remain in the pink
3 safety area.

1
3) Borders and straight lines
Lightning Source does not recommend us-
ing borders close to the trim / fold areas of the
books. This is because of the slight variances
that may occur during the printing and binding
process. If you choose to use a border please
keep all straight edges an additional 0.125"
(3 mm) inside of the pink safety areas.

FILE CREATION GUIDE 29

 FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : RTL (RIGHT-TO-LEFT) PERFECT BOUND, DUPLEX

First page of the template - Outside Cover Second page of the template - Inside Cover

Pink (Safe) Area

All text, important images, logos and the barcode should all remain inside the pink area. This area lies 0.125" (3 mm) inside
of the trim area and spine fold area and is safe from being trimmed / wrapped when the book is produced. *For the best
results on the front and back covers, LS recommends keeping text an additional 0.125" (3 mm) inside of the pink safety
boxes (for a full 0.25" / 6 mm safety).

Blue (Bleed) Area

The bleed area is the area which extends 0.125" (3 mm) beyond the trim lines and on each side of the spine. All background
color / images should extend throughout this area. Please note that any important images and text within the blue areas
are at risk of being trimmed or caught within the fold.

White (Template) Area

The template area also contains trim marks, fold marks, book size and spine width information and a barcode for internal
use. Please leave all elements outside of the pink and blue areas unaltered.

Barcode Placement
The barcode may be moved to any location within the pink area of the back cover. The barcode is a live element within
InDesign templates but part of the overall image if using a PDF or EPS. Depending on the software used, when using the
PDF or EPS template the barcode can be copied and pasted onto a new layer with the appropriate tools.

Template Size
Templates are created and distributed at a specific size. This size is listed at the bottom left of the template and should
remain at that size when opening, designing upon and creating a PDF from. Additional crop marks and/or additional canvas
size should not be added.

No Ink Area - Inside Spine

For the inside cover, the spine area and .0625” (2mm) on each side of the spine must be white and contain no color. This
will allow for proper adhesion when the book is produced. Lightning Source reserves the right to place a white, no-ink area
over the inside spine if color is present.

Pink and blue boxes must be completely covered when cover is submitted.

30
 FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : RTL (RIGHT-TO-LEFT) PERFECT BOUND, DUPLEX

1
3 3
1

2 2

Additional information about using a template

1) Spine safety area

If the cover has a spine width greater than 0.35" (9 mm), the spine safety is 0.0625" (2 mm). If the spine width is less than
0.35" (9 mm) the spine safety is 0.0325" (1mm). The pink box presented on the template will reflect the correct safety
size. Books with a page count below 48 pages cannot contain spine text.

2) Bleed elements
Elements needing to go to the edge of the cover should be taken beyond the pink safety area and to the far edge of the
blue bleed area. All nonbleed elements need to remain in the pink safety area.

3) Borders and straight lines

Lightning Source does not recommend using borders close to the trim / fold areas of the books. This is because of the
slight variances that may occur during the printing and binding process. If you choose to use a border please keep all
straight edges an additional 0.125" (3 mm) inside of the pink safety areas.

4) No Ink - Inside Spine

To allow for proper adhesion when the book is bound, the inside spine area and .0625” (2mm) on each side of the spine
must be white and contain no color. Lightning Source reserves the right to place a white, no-ink area over the inside
spine if color is present.

FILE CREATION GUIDE 31

 COVER SETUP : CASEBOUND

FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : RTL (RIGHT-TO-LEFT) CASEBOUND / DUST JACKET

CASEBOUND :

DUST JACKET :

32
 FILE CREATION GUIDE

COVER SETUP : RTL (RIGHT-TO-LEFT) CASEBOUND / DUST JACKET

The cover is built differently than a standard book whereas the back and front covers are reversed.
To process correctly the cover will need to be placed on the LS template and reversed (as shown below).

Additional information about

using a template
1
1) Spine safety area
If the cover has a spine width greater than

3 0.35" (9 mm), the spine safety is 0.0625"

(2.00mm). If the spine width is less than 0.35"
(9 mm) the spine safety is 0.03125" (1mm).
The pink box presented on the template will

4 reflect the correct safety size.

2) Bleed elements
2 Elements needing to extend to the edge of the
cover should be taken beyond the pink safety
area and to the outside edge of the blue bleed
area. Artwork that extends to the bleed edge
will be folded and wrapped around the case
board during manufacturing.

3 Any elements that are not to be affected by

1 folding or the gutter need to remain in the pink

safety area.

3) Borders and straight lines

Lightning Source does not recommend
2 4 using borders close to the trim / fold area
of the books. This is because of the slight
variances that may occur during the printing
and binding process. If you choose to use
a border please keep all straight edges an
additional 0.125" (3 mm) inside of the pink
safety areas.

4) Gutter Area
Casebound books contain an area where the spine board is connected to the front and back cover boards. This area will be
pliable and have a slight indention. To ensure cover elements are not obscured by the indention, please keep all important
elements outside of the gutter bleed area.

FILE CREATION GUIDE 33

 FILE CREATION GUIDE

34
 CREATING A PDF FOR SUBMISSION

FILE CREATION GUIDE CREATING A PDF FOR

SUBMISSION
EXPORTING FROM INDESIGN

OPEN / SAVE A TEMPLATE IN PHOTOSHOP:

SIMPLEX

USING PDF TEMPLATES WITHIN PHOTOSHOP:

DUPLEX
 CREATING A PDF FOR SUBMISSION : EXPORTING FROM INDESIGN AND QUARK

FILE CREATION GUIDE

CREATING A PDF FOR SUBMISSION : EXPORTING FROM INDESIGN

When using InDesign to layout a cover or interior, exporting has become a viable and recommended way of creating a
compliant PDF. Below are instructions for exporting from the latest Macintosh versions of InDesign.Windows versions
may vary slightly.

INDESIGN For “Adobe PDF Preset” choose PDF/X1a:2001 or

PDF/X3:2002
To begin, select FILE > Export
(Please do not modify any of the default settings)
Select a location to save your PDF
Beside “Format” select Adobe PDF (Print)
Select Export and a PDF will be created in the
Click “Save”
designated folder
For "Duplex Covers," please verify that "All" is
selected under Pages.

If bleed has been added through Bleed and Slug settings, the “Use Document Bleed Settings” should be checked under
the Marks and Bleeds tab when exporting the final PDF.

Bleed added in the Bleed and Slug settings: Selecting the check box will export the document at the bleed size.
Please do not select any additional options in this tab.

36
CREATING A PDF FOR SUBMISSION
EXPORTING FILES: :OPEN/SAVE A TEMPLATE
INDESIGN AND QUARK IN PHOTOSHOP,
SIMPLEX
FILE CREATION GUIDE

CREATING A PDF FOR SUBMISSION : OPEN/SAVE A TEMPLATE IN PHOTOSHOP, SIMPLEX

To maintain the CMYK values and ensure correct resolution and dimensions, we recommend the following procedure
when opening a PDF Cover Template using Adobe Photoshop CS2 and higher.

Within Photoshop, select File > Open and select your template file.

If opening a PDF

Crop To: Media Box

Anti-aliased: not selected
Image size: Info located at the bottom left of
template
Constrain Proportions: selected
Resolution: 300ppi
Mode: CMYK Color
Bit Depth: 8 bit

To save a compliant PDF from within Photoshop, select File > Save As...

Format: Photoshop PDF

Adobe PDF Preset: PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002.
Save: As a Copy: optional
Layers: optional
*Leave all additional options unchanged.
Color: Use Proof Setup: not selected
Embed Color Profile: optional

FILE CREATION GUIDE 37

 CREATING A PDF FOR SUBMISSION : USING PDF TEMPLATES WITHIN PHOTOSHOP, DUPLEX

FILE CREATION GUIDE

CREATING A PDF FOR SUBMISSION : USING PDF TEMPLATES WITHIN PHOTOSHOP, DUPLEX

To maintain the CMYK values and ensure correct resolution and dimensions, we recommend the following procedure
when opening a PDF Cover Template using Adobe Photoshop CS2 and higher.

Duplex books allow for printing on the inside of the cover. Templates for duplex covers are 2 page and should be re-
turned to Lightning Source as a 2 page PDF.
Within Photoshop, select File > Open and select your PDF template file.

Crop To: Media Box

Anti-aliased: not selected
Image size: Info located at bottom left of template
Constrain Proportions: selected
Resolution: 300ppi
Mode: CMYK Color
Bit Depth: 8 bit

Shift click to select both images

The template will open as two separate documents. Design on each template separately and name each file so that the
outside cover is different than the inside cover.

To save a compliant multipage PDF from within Photoshop, select File > Automate > PDF Presentation...

Under Source Files select Add Open Files or Browse to locate the Outside and Inside cover PDFs. Verify that only 2 files
are listed and arrange the files listing the outside cover first.
On the right side of the dialogue box, under Output Options, select Save As: Multi-Page Document (DO NOT select
Presentation)
Select Save and you will be prompted to name your file and select a save location.
Select Save again and select the Adobe PDF Preset: PDF/X-1a:2001* or PDF/X-3:2002*
*Leave all additional options unchanged.

38
 TRIM SIZES

FILE CREATION GUIDE TRIM SIZES

 TRIM SIZE MATRIX

FILE CREATION GUIDE

TRIM SIZE MATRIX

Note: Blank white cells indicate non-standard sizes that may be available through Custom Trim

Product and B&W Color Premium Color

Paper Types
38lb/48gsm 50lb/74gsm 50lb/74gsm 70lb/104gsm 50lb/74gsm 70lb/104gsm 70lb/104gsm
Groundwood Creme White White White White White

TRIM
TRIM SIZES
18-900 pgs (PF) 18-900 pgs (PF) 18-900 pgs (PF) 18-900 pgs(PF)
SIZES Page Range
18-840 pgs (HC)
18-1050 pgs 18-1200 pgs
18-840 pgs (HC)
18-1200 pgs
18-840 pgs (HC) 18-840 pgs(HC)

Premium Color
B&W Available Color Available
inches mm Bindtype
Available

4x6 152 x 102 Perfectbound

4x7 178 x 102 Perfectbound

4.25 x 7 178 x 108 Perfectbound

4.37 x 7 178 x 111 Perfectbound

4.72 x 7.48 190 x 120 Perfectbound

5x7 178 x 127 Perfectbound

Perfectbound
Case Laminate
5x8 203 x 127
Digital Cloth™ Cover (Blue/Gray)
Jacketed Cover

5.06 x 7.81 198 x 129 Perfectbound

5.25 x 8 203 x 133 Perfectbound

5.5 x 7.5 191 x 140 Perfectbound

5.5 x 8.25 210 x 140 Perfectbound

5.5 x 8.38 213 x 140 Perfectbound

Perfectbound
5.5 X 8.5 Case Laminate
216 X 140
(Demy 8vo) Digital Cloth™ Cover (Blue/Gray)
Jacketed Cover

5.83 x 8.27 Perfectbound

210 X 148
(A5) Case Laminate
Perfectbound
Case Laminate
6x9 229 x 152
Digital Cloth™ Cover (Blue/Gray)
Jacketed Cover
Perfectbound
6.14 x 9.21 Case Laminate
234 x 156
(Royal 8vo) Digital Cloth™ Cover (Blue/Gray)
Jacketed Cover

6.5 x 6.5 165 x 165 Perfectbound

6.625 x 10.25 260 x 168 Perfectbound

6.69 x 9.61 Perfectbound

244 x 170
(pinched crown) Case Laminate
Perfectbound
7 x 10 254 x 178
Case Laminate
7.44 x 9.69
246 x 189 Perfectbound
(crown 4vo)
Perfectbound
7.50 x 9.25 235 x 191
Case Laminate
Perfectbound
8x8 203 x 203
Case Laminate
Perfectbound
8 x 10 254 x 203
Case Laminate
Perfectbound
8 x 10.88 276 x 203
Case Laminate
Perfectbound
8.25 x 10.75 273 x 210
Case Laminate

8.25 x 11 280 x 210 Perfectbound

8.268 x 11.693 297 x 210 Perfectbound

(A4)
Perfectbound
8.5 x 8.5 216 x 216
Case Laminate

8.5 x 9 229 x 216 Perfectbound

Perfectbound
8.5 x 11 280 x 216
Case Laminate
Perfectbound Max 400 pages
11 x 8.5 216 x 280
Case Laminate Max 400 pages
GLOSS or MATTE lamination
GLOSS or MATTE Lamination
DUPLEX COVERS: Perfect bound titles can be printed 4-color duplex (two-sided) covers.11" x 8.5" is not available for Duplex Printing.

PERFORATION: Perforation of interior pages is available for Color 50lb perfect bound products in limited sizes (US Only):
6" x 9", 7" x 10", 7.5" x 9.25", 8" x 10", 8" x 10.88", 8.5" x 9", 8.5" x 11"

JACKETED COVERS: Where available, Jacketed Covers can be set-up with either Case Laminate or Digital Cloth™ Covers.

40
 DUPLEX COVERS MATRIX

FILE CREATION GUIDE

CUSTOM TRIM SIZES

Custom trim sizes are available for Perfect Bound, Case Laminate and Dust Jacket books with size restrictions
on the finished book shown below. Landscape formats are not offered.

Perfect Bound
White Paper* Crème & Groundwood Paper*
Widths available from: 4” to 8.5” or 102mm to 216mm Widths available from: 4” to 6.14” or 102mm to 156mm
Lengths available from: 6” to 11” or 152mm to 279mm Lengths available from: 6” to 9.252” or 152mm to 235mm
*See the diagram below for the available custom trim paperback sizes. The finished book must fit within these size ranges.

White Paper
Creme & Groundwood Paper

4x6 152mm x 102mm

6x9 229mm x 152mm 6x9 229mm x 152mm

6.14 x 9.252 235mm x 156mm
Above 4 x 6, Below 6 x 9 6.14 x 9.252 235mm x 156mm
Above 6 x 9, Below 6.14 x 9.252 8 x 10 254mm x 203mm 8 x 10 254mm x 203mm
Above 6.14 x 9.252, Below 8 x 10
8.5 x 11 279mm x 216mm

Above 8 x 10, Below 8.5 x 11

Case Laminate & Dust Jacket

White Paper* Crème & Groundwood Paper*

Widths available from: 5” to 8.5” or 127mm to 216mm Widths available from: 5” to 6.14” or 127mm to 156mm
Lengths available from: 8” to 11” or 203mm to 279mm Lengths available from: 8” to 9.21” or 203mm to 234mm

*See the diagram below for the available custom trim paperback sizes. The finished book must fit within these size ranges.

White Paper
Creme &
Groundwood Paper

5x8 203mm x 127mm

6.14 x 9.21 234mm x 156mm 6.14 x 9.21 234mm x 156mm

Above 5 x 8, Below 6.14 x 9.21

8.5 x 11 279mm x 216mm

Above 6.14 x 9.21, Below 8.5 x 11

FILE CREATION GUIDE 41

 FILE CREATION GUIDE

Case Laminate
The board size for a custom case laminate is calculated by subtracting: .185" (5mm) from the trim size width and adding:
.25" (6mm) to the trim size height. Board sizes will be used in the formulas below to ensure that the cover file is set-up to
Casebound
Casebound
the correct full bleed size.
Casebound
Bleed Width = .625" (16mm) + Board Width + .5" (13mm) + Spine + .5" (13mm) + Board WIdth + .625 (16mm)
Bleed Height = .625" (16mm) + Board Height + .625" (16mm)

BACK COVER BOARD SPINE

SPINE FRONT COVER BOARD
BACK COVER BOARD FRONT COVER BOARD
BACK COVER BOARD SPINE FRONT COVER BOARD
Bleed Height

0.5" / 13 mm GUTTER / HINGE

0.5" / 13 mm GUTTER / HINGE

/ HINGE

/ HINGE
0.625" / 16 mm BLEED / FOLD

0.625" / 16 mm BLEED / FOLD

/ FOLD

/ FOLD
/ HINGE

/ HINGE
/ FOLD

/ FOLD
BLEED

BLEED
GUTTER

GUTTER
BLEED

BLEED
GUTTER

GUTTER
16 mm

16 mm
13 mm

13 mm
/ 16/ mm

/ 16/ mm
/ 13/ mm

/ 13/ mm
0.625"

0.625"
0.5"0.5"

0.5"0.5"
0.625"

0.625"
* dotted lineslines
* dotted represent the fold
represent lineslines
the fold and and
gutter margins.
gutter margins.
* dotted lines represent the fold lines and gutter margins.
To To
determine thethe
determine width
width andand
height of your
height Casebound
of your Casebound cover, useuse
cover, thethe
formula below.
formula below.
To determine the(16
width and height of your Casebound Bleed Width
Bleed width
Bleed = .625"
width = .625" mm)
(16 + Board
mm) Width*
+ Board + .500"
Width* (13mm)
+ .500" (13mm) +cover,
spine use
+ spine
the(13
+ .500" formula
+ .500" mm)
(13 +below.
mm) Board Width*
+ Board + .625"
Width* (16(16
+ .625" mm)mm)
Bleed
Bleed width
height == .625"
= .625".625" (16
(16(16
mm) mm)
++ Board
Board
+ Board Width*++.625"
Height** +.500" (13mm)
(16 mm) + spine + .500" (13 mm) + Board Width* + .625" (16 mm)
Bleed height mm) Dust Jacket
Height** .625" (16 mm)
Bleed height = .625" (16 mm) + Board Height** + .625" (16 mm)
The front and back cover size for a custom dust jacket is calculated by adding: .4375" (5mm) to the trim size width and
adding: .25" (6mm) to the trim size height. Cover sizes will be used in the formulas below to ensure that the cover file is
set-up to the correct full bleed size.
Bleed Width = .125" (3mm) + .325" (83mm) + .25" (6mm) + Cover Width + Spine + Cover Width + .25" (6mm) + .325" (83mm) + .125" (3mm)
Dust
Dust Jacket
Jacket
Dust
Bleed Height Jacket
= .125" (3mm) + Board Height + .125" (3mm)

BACKBACK
FLAPFLAP BACKBACK
COVER SPINE
SPINE FRONT COVER FRONT FLAPFLAP
COVER FRONT COVER FRONT
BACK FLAP BACK COVER SPINE FRONT COVER FRONT FLAP
3.25"3.25"
(83 mm)
(83 mm) 3.25"3.25"
(83 mm)
(83 mm)
3.25" (83 mm) 3.25" (83 mm)
Bleed Height
0.125" / 3 mm BLEED

BLEED
mmBLEED

0.25" / 6 mm FOLD

FOLD
mmFOLD
0.125" // 33 mm

0.25" // 66 mm

0.125" / 3 mm BLEED

BLEED
mm BLEED
0.25" / 6 mm FOLD

FOLD
mm FOLD
0.125"

0.25"

0.125" // 33 mm
0.25" // 66 mm

0.125"
0.25"

* dotted lineslines
** dotted
dotted represent
lines the bleed
represent
represent areaarea
the bleed
the bleed and and
area fold
andareas.
fold areas.
fold areas.
Bleed Width
42 To To
determine thethe
To determine
determine width
the andand
width
width height
and of your
height
height Dust
of your
of your Jacket
Dust
Dust cover,
Jacket
Jacket useuse
cover,
cover, thethe
use formula
the below.
formula
formula below.
below.
Bleed width
Bleed
Bleed = ==
width
width
.125"
.125" (3 mm)3.25"
(3
.125"mm)
(3 +
mm) (83(83
++ 3.25"
3.25" mm)
(83 + .25"
mm)
mm) (6 mm)
++ .25"
.25" + Cover
(6 mm)
(6 mm) Width*
++ Cover
Cover + spine
Width*
Width* + Cover
++ spine
spine Width*
++ Cover
Cover + 3.25"
Width*
Width* (83(83
++ 3.25"
3.25" mm)
(83 + .25"
mm)
mm) (6 mm)
++ .25"
.25" + .125"
(6 mm)
(6 mm) (3 mm)
++ .125"
.125" (3 mm)
(3 mm)