FAQ - Book Binding Services Manufacturer

Hemei Printing Provides Custom Book Printing and Packaging Services with Worldwide Distribution ✉enquiry@specialeditionbook.com

FAQ

ANSWERS TO COMMON BOOK PRINTING QUESTIONS

What artwork format do you need for printing?

We need high-resolution PDF formatted artwork (including a 3 mm / 0.125 inch bleed zone) for printing. Photos and images should be exported as vectors or with a resolution of at least 300 dpi to guarantee professional quality results.

What is a bleed

When you want colors or graphics to print to the edge of your page, you have to design the page larger than the size of the document. Printing presses cannot print exactly to the edge of the page, so documents are printed larger and then cut down to size. Your pages should be set up 1/8 inch larger all the way around the page. So, if you have an 8½ x 11 inch document, you should design the piece as 8¾ x 11¼.

Also be aware of the safety area on your document. Since most finished pieces are printed on larger paper and cut, you have to make sure that you do not have any text or critical graphics too close to the edge of the page. You should make sure that you allow 1/8 inch between critical text and the edge of your page.

What is the difference between RGB and CMYK color formats?

RGB refers to the primary colors of light — red, green, and blue — and is the standard format used for digital cameras, scanners, video monitors, and television screens. CMYK refers to the primary colors used in printing — cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. When you hear the term four-color process printing or full-color printing, it is referring to these four colors. RGB files must be converted to CMYK files before printing, since it is physically impossible for a printing press to reproduce RGB colors.

What resolution should be used for graphics and photos?

Graphics and photos should be at least 300 dpi to ensure that they do not look grainy when printed. Just because a photo looks good on your screen, which has 72 dpi resolution, does not mean that it will print well.

How large should the margin be on documents?

Be sure to allow adequate margins all the way around your document, but especially on the bound edge. Perfect binding, wire-o binding, and plastic coil binding will use approximately 1/8 of an inch on the bound edge. You also want to make sure that there is sufficient room on perfect bound books to be easily read without the reader breaking the spine. We recommend at least 3/4 of an inch margin on the bound side.

How do I calculate the spine width for a perfect bound book?

We recommend that you submit covers for perfect bound document as three files — the front cover, the back cover, and the spine. The size of your front and back cover should equal the size of your document plus 1/8 inch bleed on all four sides.

To calculate the size of your spine, use this formula: For 60# uncoated text, 70# matte and gloss text stock, and 80# matte and gloss text stock: Number of pages divided by 440 = spine in inches

For 70# uncoated text and 100# matte and gloss text stock: Number of pages divided by 370 = spine in inches

When counting pages, include the cover. When preparing your spine, be sure to add 1/8 bleed on all four sides. If you are adding text to your spine, make sure that you do not make the size of the text exactly equal to the width of the spine. Leave some blank room on both sides of the text so the text does not run exactly to the edge of the spine.

What if I get my books and something is wrong with them?

If you receive your books and feel that they are unsaleable for any reason, you must contact specialeditionbook.com in writing (including images to illustrate your concerns) within 10 business days of accepting delivery of your order. We will review the damages and proceed accordingly, assisting you with processing damage claims—either with the printer or the shipper, depending on where the damage seems to have originated.

What color mode is used for printing?

Offset printing uses the CMYK color space. Most design software uses the RGB color space. The most efficient solution is for you to change the color space to CMYK when you export your print-ready files. If you don’t know how to do this, ask us and we’ll explain. But don’t worry too much. If we receive your artwork in RGB mode, we’ll change it for you before we go to press.

How to Custom print a book from a pdf?

At Hemei Printing, we work with all types of file formats, word-processing applications, and layouts. After receiving a quote, request a secure file upload link to send us your pdf file. Our specialists will contact you once we receive your files so we can finalize your project's details.

What kind of paper is used for book pages?

Two primary paper types are used in printing book pages: coated and uncoated. We offer various paper types for both the cover and the inside pages. Some cover page options include gloss, satin, and uncoated cover paper. We also provide several coated and uncoated paper options for the inside pages. You can select the type of paper for your book project when you submit a quote request to our team.

Established in 2006, Guangzhou HeMei Printing Factory is one of an outstanding custom book manufacturers in Printing and Packaging business.

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