How to supply covers and jackets to Biddles

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)

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 Opaque 80gsm 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

Why not use our interactive cover guide which will draw out all the measurements for you?

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. And don't forget to indicate on your order form that you would like us to generate this for you.

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:

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).

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).

If you are not sure what widths to allow then use our interactive Dust Jacket Artwork Calculator which will work out all the sizes that you need to prepare your artwork.

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.

CLOTHS The cloths we use in the manufacture of a hardback are from the Wibalin® Buckram range only which comes in a variety of colours most of which we hold in stock. An online colour picker for the Wibalin Buckram range is available by clicking here but if you are looking for a precise colour match then please ask us to send you a Wibalin® swatch as colours on screens can vary.

COLOURED ENDPAPERS The endpapers we use in the manufacture of a hardback are from the Wibalin® Buckram Natural 500 range which comes in a variety of colours most of which we hold in stock. An online colour picker is available by clicking here but if you are looking for a precise colour match then please ask us to send you a swatch as colours on screens can vary.

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:

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 Opaque 80gsm 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

Why not use our interactive PPC guide which will draw out all the measurements for you?

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:

Interactive cover/jacket artwork
and spine width calculators

These can be used online or downloaded for offline use. Please right click on the appropriate link above to download to your PC and Mac.

Job option settings for Acrobat Distiller / Adoble PDF Presets for CS programmes:

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)

• Litho and digital cover files

If you are using a Mac then you will need to right click on the images above and choose Download Linked File As.

Output Style settings for Quark Xpress 6.0 onwards:

This QuarkXpress Output Style can be imported using Edit -> Output Styles, and used when exporting to PDF from Quark.

• Digital and litho presses

If you are using a Mac then you will need to right click on the images above and choose Download Linked File As.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Here are some we made earlier: