Book Setup
Booklets
Please provide your booklet artwork as a multi-page PDF with single pages (not spreads)* in reader order.
*with the exception of perfect bind covers. See more in the perfect binding tab on this page.
Include:
- 1/8" bleed on each side of the page, including the binding side.
- 1/4" safety margin inside trim for saddle stitch or perfect bound books
- 3/8" safety margin for wire or spiral binding
- 3/8" bottom safety for calendars with hole drilling
For more on bleed, trim, and safety, see our file setup page.
Cover Setup (Saddle Stitch / Wire / Spiral)
For most binding types, the cover counts as 4 pages:
Front Cover
Inside Front Cover
Inside Back Cover
Back Cover
These pages should be included in the same PDF as your interior pages, in reader order. The order of the file including the cover should be: front cover, inside front cover, inside pages, inside back cover, back cover.
For perfect bound books, see the Perfect Binding tab on this page.
Types of binding
Saddle-Stitch: Stapled on the fold. Great for booklets, comics, programs, and zines. Requires page counts in multiples of 4.
Perfect Bind: Paperback-style square spine with glue binding. Ideal for thicker books, catalogs, and magazines. For more info, see the perfect binding tab on this page.
Wire Bind: Metal loop binding that lays completely flat, and opens 360°. Great for presentations, calendars, and planners. Wire binding is done with 3:1 pitch (3 holes per inch) black metal wire, and diameters range from 3/16” to 9/16”.
Spiral Bind: Durable plastic coil binding that lays completely flat, and opens 360°. Works well for notebooks, planners, and presentations.
Overview
Perfect binding is a process where pages are bound together along one edge using strong, flexible adhesive, with the cover wrapped around the spine to create a clean square-back finish. During production, a score is placed approximately 1/4" from the spine on the front and back cover to allow the book to open more easily. Page counts should be an even number, but do not need to be in multiples of four like saddle-stitched books.
Sending Your Files
For best results, please provide:
Cover file: A two-page PDF containing the outside cover spread (back cover + spine + front cover) and inside cover spread
Interior file: A separate multi-page PDF set up as single pages in reader order (not spreads)
Laminating
To help protect the cover during production and use, all perfect bound book covers are laminated on the outside. Available finishes include matte, gloss, and soft touch.
Proofing
We strongly recommend proofing perfect bound books, since adjustments are often needed for spine placement, gutter allowance, and overall alignment. Proof copies will be bound but will not include lamination.
Proofing typically adds two business days and is not included in the standard turnaround time, so please allow extra time if selecting this option. While proofing is optional, it is the best way to confirm that the finished book meets your expectations before the full order is produced.
Templates
Templates are available on our templates page.
Cover Setup
The best way to prepare a cover file is as a two-page PDF:
Page 1: Outside cover spread (back cover + spine + front cover)
Page 2: Inside cover spread
Include 1/8" bleed around the outside of the full spread. Leave important text or images at least 1/4" away from the binding edge.
If you are unsure of your required spine width, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to provide it.
If you are unable to build full cover spreads, we can often work from separate cover pages and extend the spine area from the bleed when possible. Additional spine setup such as adding text or custom adjustments may require an added design fee.
Spine Width
The estimated spine width for your books is shown on the Perfect Bind product page, in the order summary in the cart, and in your order details within My Account.
If you cannot locate it, contact us and we can calculate it for you.
Page Setup
Bleed: Include 1/8" bleed on all outer edges of each page.
Safety: Keep important text and images at least 1/8" inside the trim edge.
Gutter: Perfect bound books lose some visibility near the spine where pages are glued together. We recommend keeping important content at least 1/4" away from the binding edge whenever possible.
Calendar Setup
Similar to other book products, calendar files should be supplied as a multi-page PDF with single pages in reader order (not spreads), beginning with the front cover.
All pages should remain upright in the file. There is no need to rotate pages for hanging orientation, as we will handle that during prepress.
The main difference with calendars is allowing space for hanging and binding:
- Leave space for a hanger hole centered at the bottom edge (finished orientation), approximately 1/4" in from the edge
- For wire-bound calendars, keep all important text, logos, and images at least 1/4" from the top and bottom edges to allow room for the wire binding and hole drilling
If you are unsure about setup, feel free to contact us before placing your order.