Book Printing File Preparation Checklist

Use this checklist before sending your artwork. It helps catch the most common file problems before Prepress Artwork review starts.

Project templates and confirmed production specifications always take priority over general settings.

Project Details

• □ Finished size is confirmed.

• □ Final page count includes intentional blank pages.

• □ Interior printing colors are confirmed.

• □ Paper, cover material, and binding are confirmed.

• □ Special finishes and additional components are listed.

• □ All files belong to the same revision.

Interior File

Supply the interior as one PDF with single pages in reading order unless another format has been requested.

• □ Page dimensions match the approved Trim Size.

• □ Page count and reading order are correct.

• □ Blank pages are included where required.

• □ Page numbers, headers, and footers are consistent.

• □ Required Bleed is included.

• □ Text and important graphics stay within the Safe Area.

• □ Inner content allows for the correct Binding Margin.

• □ Fold-outs, inserts, or custom-size pages are clearly identified.

• □ Comments, guides, and placeholder content have been removed.

Cover File

• □ The complete cover uses the latest production template.

• □ Back cover, spine, and front cover are positioned correctly.

• □ Spine width matches the confirmed specification.

• □ Spine text and barcode information are final.

• □ Important content stays clear of folds, joints, and wrapping areas.

• □ Printing artwork and finishing artwork align correctly.

• □ Additional cover parts, such as flaps or turn-ins, are included where required.

Images and Graphics

• □ Images meet the required Image Resolution at their final placed size.

• □ No linked images are missing or modified.

• □ Image cropping matches the approved layout.

• □ Logos, barcodes, and technical graphics remain clear.

• □ Hidden or unused graphics have been removed.

• □ Transparency and effects display correctly in the exported PDF.

Fonts and Text

• □ Fonts display correctly in the final PDF.

• □ Required Font Embedding or outline settings have been applied.

• □ No text is missing, substituted, hidden, or overset.

• □ Small text remains readable.

• □ Spelling, names, dates, and contact details are final.

• □ Editing notes and placeholder text have been removed.

Color and Finishing

• □ Color data matches the confirmed printing method.

• □ Spot colors are used only where required.

• □ Black settings are suitable for the artwork.

• □ White objects are checked for accidental Overprint.

• □ Each finishing process has a separate file or clearly named layer.

• □ Finishing masks align with the printed artwork.

• □ Cut, crease, fold, and perforation lines are clearly identified.

Additional Components

Endpapers, dust jackets, inserts, slipcases, belly bands, and printed edges should be supplied separately.

• □ Each component uses the correct size and orientation.

• □ Printing sides are clearly identified.

• □ Component files match the current artwork version.

• □ Reference previews are included where the structure may not be obvious.

Final PDF Check

Open every exported PDF before submission.

• □ Page size and page count are correct.

• □ Interior and cover files are separate.

• □ Bleed is included where required.

• □ Fonts, images, and colors display correctly.

• □ No comments, passwords, or security restrictions remain.

• □ Only the current version is included.

• □ File formats follow the accepted Supported File Formats.