File set up and sizes
Your content should be the same size as the book size. For example, if creating an A4 book, your content should measure 297 x 210 mm.
Hardcover book sizes
| Size | Orientation | Dimensions (mm / in) |
| A4 | Landscape | 210 x 297 mm / 8.3 x 11.7" |
| 8.3 x 8.3" | Square | 210 x 210 mm / 8.3 x 8.3" |
| 11.7 x 11.7" | Square | 297 x 297 mm / 11.7 x 11.7" |
Layflat book set up
Resolution: 300dpi
Colour profile: RGB
Cover and content
- Our layflat books range from 24-122 pages. We recommend that your book has an even number of pages.
- Save your print file as one PDF document containing both the cover and content as single pages.
- Do not add bleed or cut marks, as our system will automatically generate these.
Setting up the cover
- For the first and last pages of your pdf, your artwork should fill the artboard, but please keep all critical elements, such as text, logos, and key visuals within the safe area - at least 10mm from the edge of the page to avoid trimming.
Setting up the content pages
- Starting on page 2 of your pdf (which will be printed on the first right-hand page in the book), use the full page and include a 10mm safety margin at the top, bottom and right outside edge. The left side (inside edge) does not require a safety margin.
- You can design double-page spreads starting from pages 3 & 4 and continue throughout (until the second-to-last page of your PDF). All spreads must be saved as individual single pages (e.g. page 3 and page 4 should be separate pages in the PDF).
- For odd-numbered pages (left side of spreads), maintain a 10mm safety margin on the top, bottom and left outside edge.
- For even-numbered pages (right side of spreads), maintain a 10mm safety margin on the top, bottom and right outside edge.
Layout
The following diagram illustrates how your layflat book will appear once printed. The numbered text below corresponds to the numbers displayed on the image. Please note that this diagram is for illustrative purposes only.
- Front cover: The first page of your PDF will become the front cover of your book
- Inside of front cover: This page will appear blank (white) and cannot be printed
- First content page: The second page of your PDF will be the first content page in your book and will appear on the right-hand side.
- Second content page: The third page of your PDF will be printed on page 2.
- Third content page: The fourth page of your PDF will be printed on page 3.
- Last content page: The penultimate page of your PDF.
- Inside of back cover: This page will appear blank (white) and cannot be printed.
- Back cover: The last page of your PDF will become the back cover of your book.
Spine
Spine design for manual orders
When placing a manual order, you will be prompted within the order form to customise the spine. The following details will be required:
- Spine text: You will have the option to enter custom text that will appear on the spine of the book.
- Text colour: Select a colour for the spine text that complements the cover design.
- Background colour: Choose a background colour for the spine, ensuring it aligns with the overall theme of the book cover.
Make sure that the text is clearly legible against the background colour.
Spine calculation for API users
For API users, the spine artwork should be provided separately from the cover artwork. Spine dimensions are calculated based on the total number of pages and the specific production lab that will print and bind your photo book.
- To ensure your spine artwork fits correctly, please query the API* to receive the exact dimensions required for your project. This will allow you to adjust your spine design to meet the precise requirements based on the page count and the lab handling your order.
- Avoid placing important design elements too close to the edges of the spine to allow for slight variations in printing and binding.
* For API-specific instructions on how to query the spine dimensions, please refer to our API documentation or contact our support team for assistance.
Saving your PDF
We recommend exporting your file with a PDF / X-4 Profile (coated FOGRA 39) check on your file. Please ensure that all fonts are embedded and any transparencies are flattened.
Recommended PDF setting: PDF / X-4 (coated FOGRA 39)
Download PDF version of this guide here.