Book Cover for Print

Hello. I am working on my first book cover design and have studied all the tutorials I can find. It looks fine on my screen and when I export to jpg or png, it still looks good. But for whatever reason, the print company requires a pdf. When I create the pdf the whole thing goes to hell. It gets blurry for some reason. Is there a better way? I'm assuming there are some settings I'm missing or something like that, but I can't find anything that talks about this specific issue. Any thoughts?
Chris

It's that simple... Unreal. I've been pulling my hair out feeling stupid for not being able to find the right settings, and here I should have been feeling stupid for not thinking of creating a single artboard.
Thanks for taking the time to walk me through all this. It was a big help.
Chris

Similar Messages

Need advice on "best" way to prepare book cover for printing

This newbie has created a front cover, back cover, and spline in Photoshop Elements with multiple layers consisting of a background image of a mountain, text, and on the front cover, an airplane. I've combined the three parts into a wraparound cover within a single indd file, which I've exported to PDF for upload to Amazon's CreateSpace (CS) for a print-on-demand book.
CS instructions say to "flatten" the cover. I've researched the term and found forum discussions that mention "raster" and "vector" and the pros and cons of different options for preparing a layered image for printing. I'm aware of the cautions about flattening being an irreversible process, and to never do that to a master copy. Beyond that, to say I'm confused would be an understatement.
I realize this is an InDesign forum, but I'm seeking advice on whether there are actions I should take in Elements before placing the three parts of the cover into the InDesign document for converting to PDF. For example, should I flatten them within Elements before placing them in the InDesign document, then convert to PDF? Or is it better to do that on the complete cover within InDesign?
Any assistance on clearing up this fog would be appreciated.

The print-on-demand site's instruction to flatten really has no direct relationship to InDesign, Peter. They don't say anything about what application you should use prior to creating the pdf, and that's what generated my original plea for help as to whether it would be best to flatten the individual images within PSE before placing them into InDesign, wait until they are combined and then do it, or if it is even necessary to do that at all.
I've been doing some additional reading on the CreateSpace forum and found a couple of very detailed (translation: too detailed for me) discussions on the differences in the output based on how you tell Adobe to create the pdf. I also found the following buried in the Help section:
                  Check the PDF settings that will be used to create your PDF file. If available, select "PDF/X-1a," "High-Quality Print" or "Press Quality" from the list of presets. If your system allows, make sure the following settings are chosen. Any other settings should be left to default in most cases.
                  Fonts and images are embedded.
                  Bookmarks, annotations, and comments are disabled.
                  Document security (any type) is not used.
                  PDF/X format is used. PDF/X is preferred, but if you are submitting non-PDF/X files (for example, PDF/A), any comments, forms, or other non-printing objects could be removed during our review process.
                  Transparent objects are flattened.
                  Spreads and printer's marks are disabled.
                  Downsampling, or decreasing resolution, of images is disabled.
                  Bleeds are enabled (if applicable).
                  Click "Export" or "OK" in the export dialog box.
                  Once created, make sure to open the PDF file to see that it appears as you intended. Otherwise, make the necessary adjustments in the native document and re-create the PDF file.
The mention of "High Quality Print" in the first line and the fact that it was InDesign's default setting for export left me with the impression that I didn't need to do anything other than export the cover and it would be in compliance with the requirements. Then when I read on the other forum about what each of the settings does to output, and all this discussion about which setting is best, I wasn't sure if the comment about flatttening applied to my output pdf or not.
As for bleed, yes, and I hope my math is correct in calculating the spline width for cream b&w paper, 374 total pages, trim size of 5.25x8, and a bleed of .125" all the way around, which increases the InDesign document by .25" in width and height over the trim size. I fully expect to have to do all that again, but such is life in the fast lane.

Attaching a thumbnail to a book cover for my eBook

My gear: Windows Vista Ultimate, 64-bit.
My objective: Attach a thumbnail version of my eBook cover to my eBook book cover, so the Adobe Digital Edition version will look cool.
What I've done: With distiller set to eBooks, I've created the PDF book cover and the thumbnail, using Ifan and OpenOffice.
Result: I'm stuck. My cover is in PDF/A mode. I can't attach.
You probably already can tell I'm a noob. However, what I have done to solve this problem, follows:
1.I closed Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard.
2.Opened my Window folder, so I'd have my PDF thumb and PDF full size cover before me. I minimized this window.
3.I opened my beloved Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard.
4.I selected File>Combine>Assemble. I got a blank screen. It says 'Home/ in the upper left hand corner. I call this Window A. I size Window A so it fits the left hand side of the desktop.
5.I brought up the minimized window. I call it Window B. I sized Window B to it fits the right hand side of my desktop.
6.I dragged my PDF book cover file, still in PDF/A mode, from Window B, to Window A.
7.In Window A: I selected File>Combine>Merge Files. I'm 'merging' a single file into a single PDF.
8. A window appears. It says: File Portfolio1.pdf is a PDF portfolio that contains multiple files. The files within the PDF portfolio have been added to the file list. I clicked OK.
9.Now I'm in a window titled Combine Files. Single PDF is selected. A red X is in the Remove square, bottom of this window. My PDF/A book cover file is the only file in the list.
10.I selected my file just to highlight it.
11.I selected Combine Files.
12.A save as window opens. I renamed my book cover to Book Cover not in PDF A mode
13.Now, my non-PDF/A Book cover opens in Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard.
14.In the lower left hand corner of my Adobe 9 window, I right click the comments icon, and select Attachments.
15.I select Add a new attachment.
16.My PDF files come up (they would not come up in PDF/A mode), and I select my thumbnail PDF. It attaches.
17.Yay. I'm done.
If there's a quicky professional way to do this, please add to this thread, so I may learn from my mistakes.

Hellow Johannes,
thank you for your repling.
i don"t think that this is the direction.
In lots of objects in the SAP like a notification or a material,a button call "service for object" is available provide
some functions like
document attaching.
How i can see this attachments?
I think that the answer should be close to the table SOOD.
regards,
avi

Iphoto crashes when I try to send a book project for printing

I recently updated mavericks and Iphoto, the first time I send a project (large book) for printing, it crashes when it is sending it to the store. Iphoto freezes making it impossible to send.
I have created a pdf file with the book but I dont know how to send that to the store
Thanks

You can not setn the PDF for prionting
Before ordering your book preview it using this method - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1040 - and save the resulting PDF for reference - the delivered book will match it.
If the preview is good boot into safe mode and preview again the order while in safe mode
LN

Iphoto book sharpening for print

Hello everyone:
I am planning on sending an iPhoto album to print to Apple. I have one doubt regarding my final workflow step, which is the output sharpening: using either Aperture3 or Capture NX2 what are the most appropriate output sharpening values ana metods (for printing of course) to get a properly sharpened output and not a flat result or one that is oversharpened and may contain halos and other artefacts? Are techs from Apple applying any sharpening algorithms to the albums before printing?
If any of you have experince with this, I wait for your feedback.
Cheers!

Do you plan to sharpen each photo in the book with Aperture or Capture NX2? Unless you see photos which have obvious reasons for sharpening there's really nothing you need to do. Just make sure none of the pictures have the Adobe RGB color profile.
iPhoto creates a PDF file of the book for uploading and printing. You can preview that PDF file by Control-clicking on the background of the All Pages window and selecting Preview Book from the contextual menu.
You can save the preview to compare to the book when you receive it.
Happy New Year

Fonts are not displayed properly when Book assembled for PRINT Preview

I am having an issue with fonts not being displayed correctly within Aperture Book design application. I have used a script font (Snell Roundhand) for the cover of my book that has quotations marks around the title. However the quotations marks that are displayed after the book is assembled, go to the default Times Roman not Snell. They do not match the Snell Roundhand font quotations that are supplied with that font. What gives? Also . . . after they the dust cover is displayed the next page is the hard bound foil page which displays Times Roman for the title . . . not the font I have selected (Snell Roundhand). What gives with that? Is there a way to change the font before it goes to the printer. Any work around ideas. I have tried several different fonts to see if anything else comes close. Everything looks like a variation of Times. HELP . . . trying to hit PURCHASE BOOK . . . . hopefully without flaws!!

I kind of remember the foil letters might be fixed - cannot remember but here is a related conversation that might help (or not)
[Aperture Cover Fonts|http://photo.rwboyer.com/2009/04/16/aperture-books-hardcover-title-font>
RB
Ps. I have not done this through the Apple book printing service myself - I always order soft cover as give aways and use another service for other printing but live vicariously through others withe the Apple hardcover books.
Message was edited by: rwboyer

How to make a book cover for wattpad with Photoshop CC?

Help?

Yes that should be easily possible. Follow these steps:
1 Go to the 'Edit' menu in Flash Pro and select 'Keyboard Shortcuts..'
2 Type 'edit with' in the search field and see that your operation gets listed below.
3 Click on the shortcut column and press the desired shortcut key to assign for your operation. Press OK to accept.
-Nipun

What are the pixel dimensions for creating an Apple ibook book cover?

I'm trying to create a book cover for Apple ibooks, what are the pixel dimensions requirements?

Thanks again.
Apple seems to have made it more confusing than it should be.
As an aside, the Apple documentation contradicts itself.
Cover art (also known as a marketing image or jacket) should be at least 1400 pixels along the smaller axis and must be a JPEG or PNG file in RGB Color mode.
This clearly says the shorter side must be at least 1400 pixels. The next sentence says this:
For an average trade paperback, this could be 400 x 1400 minimum size, as the books are generally taller than they are wide.
That doesn't make sense, seeing that the shorter side is supposed to be at least 1400 pixels, meaning it should say "1400 x 4900" for the same aspect ratio.
...I did notice this too.
So, if as you say, that the Cover Art and Cover image terms are the same and the 2 million limit does not apply, then it is unclear to me why Apple sent this message to me about cover file being rejected
"Action Required: Your book could not be delivered to the iBookstore.
The following images are larger than two million pixels and must be resized:
Full ePub: Cover_xyz.jpg "
I'll probably need to have the cover file in epub and Cover Image for Asset in iTunes Producer be named differently (but be copies of the same file) so I can understand which one is the "problem" file.
And finally, why does Apple refer to Cover Art twice here and then end in last sentence with Cover Image if they are the same ( and if they are the same why not state "this cover image").
"Cover art (also known as a marketing image or jacket) should be at least 1400 pixels along the smaller axis and must be a JPEG or PNG file in RGB Color mode. For an average trade paperback, this could be 400 x 1400 minimum size, as the books are generally taller than they are wide. For best results, deliver the largest pixel dimensions possible. When possible, match cover art to the cover contained in the book file. The 2 million pixel maximum does not apply to the cover image".

How do i create a bleed wrap cover for a book?

I have a book I created in adobe framemaker 8.0, it is a 250 page manual, 7.5 x 9. I am now due to send it to the commercial printer and they want me to send a cover for a 'Perfect Bound' type binding.
Should I be using FM to do the cover or am I better off with a different adobe program?
If I use FM, do you have any advice in regard to book covers of this type?
Should the cover width be double the page width (18in) so that it can wrap around?
Any help you may provide is greatly appreciated.
Thanx,
William

William,
Along with what Arnis said, I'll add that you may be able to submit a PDF to a printer that is the same page size as the body pages, with separate pages for the front and back. A printshop should be able to impose the cover for you and in doing so, automatically account for the thickness of the book. I believe it is standard for a printshop to have this kind of software.
In general, I agree that FM is an adequate choice for this project, as long as it has sufficient typography and graphics controls that match your requirements. Most likely it does, but if you need highly-advanced layout tools, you might have to consider InDesign.
Russ

I purchased a book, payed for it but it will not play despite the cover page showing up in ITunes books.

I purchased a book, payed for it but it will not play despite the cover page showing up in ITunes books.

Did you accidentally buy an ibook?
If so, these are print books that you read on your iphone/ipod touc/ipad.

BOOK COVER CROPS TOP IN PRINT DIALOGUE PDF

I have been producing books for a long time but now the cover of a book which is displayed correctly in iPhoto 09, when trying to print a pdf the cover cuts 1-2 inches off the top and adds black at the bottom. Apple are at a loss to explain it. All other pages convert to pdf correctly. This has suddenly happened, all but one previous books display pdf perfectly. Checking the pdf in book assembly there are no problems but in the print dialogue it cuts the top off. Have tried everything & this has been referred to a higher level at Apple as Genius bar could not fix it. Any ideas?

I have also made several books with iPhoto and had never had a problem, but I had also never used a full bleed picture on the cover. But I had this problem yesterday.
I talked to Apple tech support and he was actually able to duplicate the problem. He did not have a solution, but told me that there is a way to contact Apple as soon as your receipt is emailed to you and have them hold the order and actually look at the files to see that nothing has moved and that heads are not cut off. But today I conquered it for my book!
Look at the pages in iphoto, note when looking at the second page which would be the inside cover, you will see a wrap. Heads were being cut off because of the wrap for the cover. You will need to use Photoshop to add space to the top of the photo. I added 2 inches at first, but then adjusted it to about 2.25-2.5 inches. My problem was the edge of a tree, so I eliminated it allowing for the top to be more sky. Previewed my page in print/pdf mode and voila! Fixed!
Apple tech support was great - I love the call back feature. When I upload my book, I will probably still ask them to check it, but I believe I've solved the problem for my cover!
To contact support about your book before it prints - and you need to do it right away as soon as you receive the receipt from apple go to: http://www.apple.com/support/photoservices/
then under Customer Support - the paragraph reads:
+If you need personal assistance, click on a topic below, then email our support team using the form at the bottom of each customer support page.+
Note the word email is blue, click on it and ask them to review your book before it is printed!

Print Book Cover , image, and spine

Hello Adobe Community,
Can you provide me with step by step instructions on how to create a print 8x5 book cover that includes a spine for 8x5 book, image, and 150 pages in Adobe Acrobat XI 11.0 or Word 2014?
Thanks for your help,
Elizabeth

[discussion moved to Creating, Editing & Exporting PDFs forum]

Designing a book for print

When creating a non-fiction book in InDesign, and submitting it to a offset printer, should the book cover be a part of the main indd file (that has the book pages) or is a separate file created for the cover?

at times a cover involves setting the magin, spine and bleed which in most case not applied inside i suggest NO!!!

I have never used indesign to type in text on the spine of a book for submission as a book cover with the POD company Lightning Source. I would be so grateful if someone could tell me how to do this. This is the first time I have ever used a forum.

Help! How do I type in text on the spine of a book cover template in indesign?

1. Determine the spine width first. Note that the spine width is relative to the thickness of the paper used for printing. For example, your book is of 300 pages, the spine thickness varies relative to paper thickness (say, 60gsm paper or 70gsm paper, or thicker art paper varieties). Get in touch with the Printer to give you a bound dummy (blank pages) with as many number of pages as your book has. Measure the spine manually from it. When you are more experienced, you would be able to calculate the thickness just by knowing the paper thickness (multiply by number of pages of the book).
2. Create a spread to represent the back cover (left) and front cover (right). Increase the width of either the left page or right page, to make it exactly the width of book + spine width. Use guides to separate the spine from the cover design area. Type the spine matter and rotate the frames to fit to the spine. Rotation of frames should be in such a way that when the book is kept on table with its front cover on top, the spine text matters should be erect (not be upside down). On completion the whole design should have the bleed area on all four sides, left page as back cover, spine in the middle with rotated text frames, right page as front cover.
OR
3. You can also make the spine a separate page. Create a page exactly of the width of spine. Go to Pages panel fly-out and uncheck "allow document pages to shuffle". Arrange the three pages, the back cover the spine and the front cover in that order side by side in the pages panel (you can drag-drop the pages to make the 3 pages spread). Go to layout to make finishing touches.

I am a Canadian staying in England for a few weeks. How can I get an iPhoto Book printed win England and sent as a gift to an English relative? With my account, it seems that Apple only allows for my book to be printed in Canada.

I am a Canadian staying in England for a few weeks. How can I get an iPhoto Book printed win England and sent as a gift to an English relative? With my account, it seems that Apple only allows for my book to be printed in Canada and then sent to my Canadian address..

in the iPhoto preferences change the print products country to the UK and give it a try - there may be some restirctions on billing but it has worked for some people
LN

Book Cover for Print

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