Book Cover Preparation Guidelines

The creation of the book cover is one of the most important steps in the book printing process. Your cover is thing that gives any reader a first impression so it needs to be both visually appealing and correctly setup for printing. 

Designing anything for print takes strong attention to deal, but depending on the type of binding you choose, book covers are particularly technical. Elements such as spine width, trim size, margins, bleed and resolution should not be overlooked in anyway. Even the most creative and professional cover design can be let down if the file isn’t prepared to the right specifications.

By following our guidelines, you’ll avoid common pitfalls such as text being cut off, colours printing incorrectly, or spine text not aligning.

Paperback book spine calculator

Please ask one of our dedicated book production advisers for a cover lay down guide for your paperback cover artwork.

Our paperback spine calculator takes the guesswork out. This allows you or your designer to set up the cover artwork correctly, ensuring that the title and author name are neatly centred and readable.

With the right spine measurement you know your cover will be precise and ready to impress.

Hardback book spine calculator

Please ask one of our dedicated book production advisers for a cover lay down guide for your hardback cover artwork.

With hardback books the spine needs to accommodate not only the page block itself but also the thickness of the boards and the extra allowance for the cover wrap. An incorrect measurement can lead to issues such as misaligned artwork, text running off centre, or a cover that simply doesn’t sit properly on the finished book.

Hardback books are usually considered more premium and carry the expectation of a higher standards.

Need an ISBN?

If you’re planning to publish or self publish a book, one of the things you’ll likely need is an ISBN. The process doesn’t need to be complicated and our ISBN Guide has been created to make it as simple as possible. It explains why you likely need one, and how to get one.

Head over to our ISBN Guide to learn more and ensure your book has the professional recognition it needs to reach readers everywhere.

View our ISBN Guide.

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