To ensure your cover, jacket or PPC files are print ready please check that they meet the following requirements:

Cover, jacket file and printed paper case (PPC) file formats

Our preferred format for cover, jacket and PPC files is a print ready PDF:.

  • one single file (see layout diagrams below)
  • with fonts and images embedded (image files should be at least 300dpi and saved as CMYK - see below)

    • We can accept application files created in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, QuarkXPress and Pagemaker (up to version 6.5) but please note there will be a small charge to convert these to a print ready PDF. If you are sending application files then please remember to send us any font or image files which should be at least 300 dpi and saved as CMYK.

    Please note that our specially calibrated CMYK digital printing presses use different technology compared to home and office colour printers and computer monitors. These should not be used to proof covers or jackets as they will not accurately represent what will be printed. If you require us to match Pantone colours, you must send in an example of the colour to match to (even if we printed it before). However, most, but not all colours are achievable using CMYK, and so if we cannot match your colour we will inform you before printing.

    Creating a paperback cover:

    The cover should be the same size as the page (trim) size plus 3mm bleed all round. On screen your file should look like the layout below i.e. with the back, spine and front all side by side:

    Paperback Cover Dimensions

    COVER WIDTH = 3mm bleed + back page width + spine width + front page width + 3mm bleed
    To calculate the spine width please use our Paperback spine width calculator ensuring that you pick the correct paper (please refer to your estimate if you are unsure)
    So if your book was A5 with 140 pages on our Vancouver Opaque paper then the cover width will be:
    3 + 148 + 8 + 148 + 3= 310 mm

    COVER HEIGHT = 3mm bleed + page height + 3mm bleed
    So if your book was A5 then the cover height will be = 3 + 210 + 3 = 216 mm

    BARCODE If we are making and inserting a barcode on your behalf then please leave a white box on the back of approx 35mm wide by 25mm high.

    Creating a hardback dust jacket:

    The dust jacket should be the same size as the page (trim) size plus the back and front flaps and the bleed and board allowances we have indicated in the layout below. On screen your file should look like the layout below i.e. with the back flap, back, spine, front and front flap all side by side:

    Book Jacket Dimensions

    Add a minimum of 4mm wrap around board on to flap (if using our Hardback spine width calculator please be aware that this has been allowed for already in the calculation).

    DUST JACKET WIDTH = 3mm bleed + 80mm back flap (our recommended flap size) + 4mm for board + 3mm bleed + back page width + spine width + front page width + 3mm bleed + 4mm for board + 80mm front flap + 3mm bleed
    To calculate the spine width please use our Hardback spine width calculator ensuring that you pick the correct paper (please refer to your estimate if you are unsure).
    So if your book was A5 with 140 pages on our Vancouver Opaque paper then the dust jacket width will be:
    3 + 80 + 4 + 3 + 148 + 12 + 148 + 3 + 4 + 80 + 3 = 488 mm

    DUST JACKET HEIGHT = 6mm bleed + page height + 6mm bleed
    So if your book was A5 then the dust jacket height will be = 6 + 210 + 6 = 222 mm

    BARCODE If we are making and inserting a barcode on your behalf then please leave a white box on the back of approx 35mm wide by 25mm high.

    If you are supplying artwork for us to make a brass to stamp foil on to the spine or front of the hardback please supply this as a print ready PDF file.

    Creating a hardback PPC (Printed Paper Case):

    The PPC should be the same size as the page (trim) size plus a total of 20mm - 17mm to allow us to fold the jacket around the board and 3mm overhang. On screen your file should look like the layout below i.e. with the back, spine and front all side by side:

    Book Jacket Dimensions
    Add 4mm to spine width to allow for boards (if using our Hardback spine width calculator please be aware that this has been allowed for already in the calculation)

    PPC WIDTH = 17mm for fold + 3mm overhang + back page width + spine width + front page width + 3mm overhang + 17mm for fold
    To calculate the spine width please use our Hardback spine width calculator ensuring that you pick the correct paper (please refer to your estimate if you are unsure).
    So if your book was A5 with 140 pages on our Vancouver Opaque paper then the PPC width will be:
    17 + 3 + 148 + 12 + 148 + 3 + 17 = 348 mm

    PPC HEIGHT = 17mm for fold + 3mm overhang + page height + 3mm overhang + 17mm for fold
    So if your book was A5 then the PPC height will be = 17 + 3 + 210 + 3 + 17 = 250 mm

    BARCODE If we are making and inserting a barcode on your behalf then please leave a white box on the back of approx 35mm wide by 25mm high.

    Useful guides to download:

    Job option settings for Acrobat Distiller:

    Using WinZip or StuffIt extract the distiller job options file to the following folder on your computer C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Distillr\Settings (path for other versions of Acrobat may be slightly different)

    Useful links:

    Cover and jacket terms explained

    What is bleed?

    Bleed is very important - it is an extension of the cover artwork to prevent white unprinted areas around the edges appearing on the final trimmed book. Please be aware that anything placed within this area will not appear on the trimmed book.

    Any backgrounds or images that touch the inside of the bleed margin (which represents the trim line) will need to be extended right to the edge of the document. There should be no obvious transition between the bleed area and the adjoining cover area.

    Any part of the cover extending into this bleed area will be trimmed away, so it is vital that any design elements that must not be trimmed off be kept well inside (ie. at least 3mm) the inner bleed margin or trim line. This includes text, logos or important graphics that shouldn't be trimmed through.

    What is the difference between a cover and a jacket?

    A cover is used on a paperback and a jacket (also known as a dust jacket) goes around a hardback. Underneath the jacket will be a 'cloth' finish typically with gold or silver lettering on the spine or front or both.

    Book with dust jacket

    What is a brass?

    A device made of zinc which is used to stamp the foil lettering on to the 'cloth' finish on a hardback typically on the spine, front or both.

    BrassFoil blocking

    What is a PPC?

    A PPC (printed paper case) is used on a hardback and it is when the jacket is physically glued to the book so that it cannot be removed.

    Printed paper case

    What is lamination?

    This process coats the cover or jacket with an extremely thin layer of either glossy or matt plastic which provides a highly professional, extra smooth finish, as well as protecting the paper or card underneath.

    We offer gloss and matt lamination.

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