Pre-Press Guide
This guide will introduce you to the basic concepts in book printing. If you read it carefully, you can avoid redoing your book layout when you think your finally finished, and also save time and money.
Before getting your book printed, you need to have Print-Ready Files in PDF format. This is the goal.
Written by a real person with care, updated 2 June 2024. Enjoy!
Sheet - this refers to the piece of physical paper, that will be printed on.
Page - this refers to both the actual pages in a books and the pages in a digital document.
Sheets come in standardised sizes, for example, measurements of A3 sheets are 297 mm x 420 mm. Pages are also standardised to an extent, for example, a novel should not be a square shape. (That would be outrageous.)
In the end, a book page can be whatever you desire. But it is important to setup the page size in the document editor (Microsoft Words or OpenOffice) before you begin to finalise the book layout. The page size in a digital document should always be the same as the physical book page size.
Tip #1 Word to PDF is easy, but PDF to Word is a nightmare. So don't lose the Word version!
Margins - this refers to the area between the page content and the page edges.
In production printing, all the content on your page is printable. This is because multiple pages are set on the printable area of a sheet. So don't worry if an image is slightly beyond your digital page margins. The purpose of the margins are as follows
Readability: Proper margins enhance the readability of your book. They provide a buffer between the text and the edge of the page, making it easier for readers to focus on the content without feeling cramped. Sufficient margins also allow space for readers to hold the book without covering the text with their fingers.
Visual Appeal: Margins contribute to the overall aesthetic of your book. Well-balanced margins create a pleasing layout, giving the text room to "breathe." This prevents the pages from looking cluttered or overwhelming, which can deter readers.
Binding Considerations: Different binding methods require different margin sizes. For instance, perfect binding and hardcover binding need larger inner margins (gutter margins) to ensure that text is not lost or difficult to read near the spine. Understanding these requirements can help you design your book effectively.
Professionalism: Properly designed margins give your book a polished, professional look. Inconsistent or too narrow margins can make your book appear amateurish, which might affect its reception by readers and reviewers.
There are many views on this topic, with heated debate on the optimal margin along the spine edge, and whether the top and bottom margins should be equal.We have our own views when it comes to page margins. It's all about the finer details when it comes to optimal reader experiences.