To ensure your text files are print ready please check that they meet the following requirements:

Print ready PDF's

Our preferred format for text files is a print ready PDF saved as:

  • one single file set up in page order (excluding the cover or jacket)
  • with fonts embedded (see our guide to the right on how to check this)
  • with crop-marks selected so we know where to trim your text once it is printed
  • minimum 10mm clear white space on all sides (our recommendation) unless there are
        images that are intended to bleed (go to the edge of the page)
  • ensure that you are using a CMYK workflow (if using Adobe InDesign or QuarkXpress)
  • Please do not save the PDF as double page spreads or save each page as individual PDF's - we will be unable to use files supplied in this way.

    • We have provided Adobe Distiller job option files and Quark XPress Output Style Options to the right that you can download and import into Adobe Acrobat Professional which are specifically set up for our presses.

    Application files

    We can accept application files created in Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress and Pagemaker (up to version 6.5) but please note there will be a charge to convert these to print ready PDF's. If you are supplying application files then we will also require any fonts or image files.

    Microsoft Word documents

    Please note that we cannot accept Microsoft Word documents. These must be laid out exactly as you would expect the final book to look and then turned into print ready PDF's before being sent to us. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Professional to create these then we suggest that you use PrimoPDF. This can be downloaded from www.primopdf.com - please choose the FREE version. This is a very easy programme to use and guidelines showing you which options to select are available to the right on this page In the Useful guides to download section or by clicking here.

    Typesetting and cover design services

    Please note that we do not offer any typsetting, text layout or cover design services in-house. If you require any of these services then we recommend contacting Matador with whom we have worked for a number of years. Further details about their services, including a price guide, can be found by clicking here.

    Files formats for plate sections

    Our preferred format for plate sections files is a print ready PDF saved as one PDF file for each section single page to view with crop-marks. Please remember to embedd any fonts and ensure that image files are at least 300 dpi and saved as CMYK.

    If you are scanning images to be reproduced in a plate section then these should be scanned as .eps or .tiff files, please avoid .jpeg.

    The final resolution of images should be (screen ruling x scale x 2). Our screen ruling is 150lpi. If you have any queries regarding scanning images then please contact Katie Ward, our Technical Services Manager, either by 'phoning 01553 816136 or e-mail: kward@mpg-books.co.uk

    Scanning books

    If scanning text pages from an existing book this should be scanned as a bitmap at 600 dpi (ideally 1200 dpi if possible).

    Useful guides to download:

    Job option settings for Acrobat Distiller / Adobe 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)
    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.
    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: