Instructions – Books and product materials

File format

  • The materials are submitted in PDF format
  • The supported PDF standards are 1.3 – 1.7 as well as PDF/X-1a:2001
  • Any Security settings must be disabled
  • Recommended methods for generating PDF materials are:
    a. Direct export from the desktop publishing or graphics editor software (Export)
    b. Printing a PostScript file and converting it into PDF using AdobeDistiller
  • You should ensure that the Export settings used meet the conditions specified in this document, such as in InDesign “PressQuality” or “PDF/X-1a:2001”
  • Image resolution
  • Minimum resolution of tone images 200 dpi
  • Minimum resolution of monochrome images (bitmap) 550 dpi
  • Minimum line thickness 0.28 pt or 0.1 mm

Fonts

  • It is recommended to use Type1 or OpenType fonts
  • Check that all of the fonts used in the job are included in the PDF file (Embedded)
  • The use of faux italics or bolding should be avoided
  • Convert any fonts attached to EPS files into paths
  • Avoid the use of “deep black” in texts. We recommend using K100, not other colours, as the colour definition of black text

Colours and Overprint

  • CMYK-separated where possible
  • Coated Fogra39 (ISO 12647:2:2004) as the characterisation profile, download here
  • It is recommended to convert any spot colours in the cover to the CMYK format in advance
  • The spot colours used (e.g. Pantone PMS) are separated into the CMYK format so that the colour equivalence is as close as possible to the original spot colour
  • The Overprint settings in the document are followed
  • An exception to this is white text; it is opened always regardless of the Overprint settings

Cutting margin

  • 3 mm cutting margin for elements in contact with the edge of the final product
  • Elements to be cut must be stretched 3 mm over the edge
  • You should check that the cutting margin is also included in the PDF file generated from the desktop publishing application
  • Cutting marks, alignment marks and colour strips may be left in the materials

Positioning

  • Position the materials in the middle of the sheet, with the final product and cutting margin fitting in entirely
  • For a book-format product, we recommend the inner margin to be a minimum of 20 mm

Thickness of the spine

  • The thickness of the spine depends on the chosen paper type and the number of pages
  • The service displays the calculated thickness of the back once the paper has been selected and the final number of pages has been confirmed
  • The preview of the cover displays the spine in the final product visually
  • The spine of the book can be positioned using the editing features in the service (scaling, moving and editing the format)
  • If the editing features of the service are not adequate for editing the materials to be suitable for printing, the original materials need to be edited to the spine thickness specified by the service or a correction request has to be sent to Hansaprint using the form available in the service