Address
304 North Cardinal
St. Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Work Hours
Monday to Friday: 7AM - 7PM
Weekend: 10AM - 5PM
Contact Us
Email: [email protected]
Phone (China): +86 150 6806 2798
Factory Address: No. 169, Shiyu Road, Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province, China
Pre-Press Artwork Guidelines
Pre-press is the critical stage where design meets production. To ensure your book looks as professional in print as it does on screen, correct file preparation is essential. At Kore Create Inc, our design experts review every file, but following these guidelines will speed up the process and guarantee the best results.
Essential File Checklist (Quick Reference)
File Format: High-quality PDF (Single pages, not spreads).
Resolution: Minimum 300 DPI for all images to ensure sharpness.
Color Mode: CMYK only. (RGB files will be automatically converted, which may result in color shifts).
Bleed: Include 0.125 inches (3mm) bleed on all outer edges.
Text: Convert fonts to outlines (curves) or embed them.
Black Text: Use 100% Black (K) for text, not Rich Black (C+M+Y+K), to ensure crisp, sharp reading and cost efficiency.
Once we receive your files, our design department will perform a complimentary check to ensure printability. You can send your finished artwork via WeTransfer or Dropbox. If there are minor technical issues, our professional designers will help fix them to ensure a perfect print.
Essential Design Tips
Design Software
Choosing the right tools is the first step. We recommend industry-standard software such as Adobe InDesign (best for layout), Adobe Illustrator (for vectors), and Adobe Photoshop (for image editing). These programs ensure your files are compatible with professional printing machinery.
Bleed
Bleed is the margin around the edge of the page that will be trimmed off during production. You must extend your background artwork into this bleed area (standard size is 0.125 inches / 3mm) to ensure there are no ugly white strips on the edges of your final book.
Signature
A signature is a group of pages printed on a single large sheet of paper, which is then folded and trimmed. Understanding signatures (usually in multiples of 4, 8, 16, or 32) helps you plan your page count efficiently for offset printing.
CMYK vs. RGB
CMYK and RGB are distinct color modes. RGB is used for digital screens (creating colors with light), while CMYK is used for printing (creating colors with ink). Why it matters: We strongly recommend designing in CMYK. If you submit RGB files, we must convert them to CMYK for printing, which can result in duller colors. To guarantee the print matches your vision, set your document to CMYK from the start.
Picture Resolution
Resolution determines image sharpness. While 72 DPI looks fine on a computer screen, it will look pixelated and blurry in print. Always ensure your images are High Resolution (at least 300 DPI) at the final print size for a crisp, professional look.
Book Spine
Including the spine in your cover design is vital for a professional look. Be sure to include the book title and author’s name. Note: Do not guess the spine width! The size depends entirely on your page count and paper thickness. Contact Kore Create Inc for a precise template.
Paperback Spine: Varies by page count. A wider spine allows for text, while very thin books may not.
Hardcover Spine: Typically wider than paperbacks due to the board thickness. We wrap the cover material around the rigid board.
Saddle Stitch Spine: These are folded and stapled. They generally do not have a flat spine for text unless it is a high-page-count “Square Back” style.
Board Book Spine: Varies based on the thickness of the mounting board. We provide custom die-lines for accuracy.
Page Numbers
Don't forget the basics. Page numbers help readers navigate your content and add a level of professionalism. From a production standpoint, they also help ensure the bindery arranges your pages in the correct order during assembly.
Vector Graphics
Vector graphics (created in Illustrator) are mathematical calculations, not pixels. This means they can be scaled up or down infinitely without losing quality. Using vectors for text and logos ensures they remain razor-sharp in the final print.
Best File Format
For the final hand-off, High-Quality PDF is the industry gold standard. Adobe InDesign allows you to export print-ready PDFs that lock in your fonts and images, ensuring what you see is what you get.
Need Help?
Once we receive your artwork, our team at Kore Create Inc provides a complimentary file check. If we spot any issues, we will fix minor technical errors or guide you through the necessary changes.
Ready to start? Contact us today to get your free quote and template!