File Submission Standards

The ideal format for submission of files for production is PDF files. (We do work with other formats as well.)

The ideal way to produce good, trouble-free PDF files is by exporting from InDesign. (We do work with PDFs created in many other ways as well.)

If you're using InDesign, you can use our presets for the PDF export configuration, here.

The following guidelines will help you prepare trouble-free files for submission:

PDF files should have all fonts embedded
Image resolution should be at least 300 dpi
All content should be either grayscale (for a grayscale project) or in the CMYK color model.
PDF files should be made as Acrobat version 4 (PDF version 1.3) to assure that all transparency has been flattened.
There should be no OPI references.
There should be no embedded ICC profiles.
If the project has bleeds, there should be 1/8" bleed trim allowance and a 1/4" safe zone. If there are no bleeds, then the margin should be 1/4" or larger. See here for details.
All printer marks need to be outside the bleed trim area; that is, they need to be offset by at least 1/8". It seems silly to have to say this, but the default setting in InDesign is smaller than 1/8", which causes the printer marks to protrude into the bleeds.

Some more considerations that do not strictly relate to file formats:

Images scanned from previously printed art needs to be descreened to prevent moire patterns in the final printed result.
Follow good practices with transparency.

Signature Book Printing has been a Book Printer of choice for the past 25 years. We have been on the web since 1997. From the beginning, we have focused not only on Book Printing but also on smooth, easy customer service, excellent quality, and very competitive prices . We have broadened our Book Printing offerings significantly from the beginning. Check out Signature Book Printing as your Book Printer . As a Book Printer , we have earned the confidence and recommendations of a wide variety of customers nationwide to support their Publishing . Our capabilities include Hard Cover Book Printing , Full Color Book Printing , Case Bound Book Printing , Perfect Bound Book Printing , Smythe Sewn Binding , Soft Cover Book Printing , and Web Book Printing for longer runs.

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