How to supply artwork for a Hardback / Casebound book
When supplying artwork for a Hardback / Casebound book, we require two files. The first file is the cover artwork. This should be the outer cover only artwork supplied in a spread format. The second file should be a multiple-page PDF with the inner pages running from page 1 to the last page.
Instructions on how to set up a Hardback / Casebound book
Setting up the cover artwork is slightly different from how we set up a traditional saddle stitch book. The page size of your document will be determined by the size of your book.
For this example, we will use an A5 book with a spine width of 10mm.
In the diagram below, you will see the layout for the cover artwork. This should include the front and back cover pages, the spine, the hinge area, and the wraparound area.
The thickness of the spine will be determined by the number of pages that are within the book. A spine calculator can be located on the product page when placing your order.
Width = 17mm (wrap around) + 148mm (page width) + 5mm (hinge) + 10mm (spine) + 5mm (hinge) + 148mm (page width) + 17mm (wrap around)
Height = 20mm (wrap around) + 210mm (page height) + 20mm (wrap around)
Wraparound (margin) – Please set your margins to 17mm on the left- and right-hand side, and 20mm top and bottom. This section should be an extension of the background elements (much like the bleed) and goes around the hardcover.
Gutter – Select 2 columns and enter the width of your spine. This will show where the spine falls on the document.
Bleed – Please add 3mm bleed on all sides which will give you the offset necessary to add fold marks.
Slug – Add a 10mm slug all around which will provide the space to show the fold lines.
Endpapers / Fly sheet
The endpapers are sheets which are attached to the inside of the front and back covers and cannot be customised. They consist of 4 pages each, one of which will be glued to the inside of the cover (the pastedown) which will therefore not be visible. The other side of this sheet will be seen as the inside cover with the remaining pages making up the flysheet.
You do not need to add the blank endpapers into the artwork files, these will be automatically applied to your design during production.
Flysheets are automatically applied to the artwork and cannot be customised. Please consider this when thinking about the pagination for your booklet.