Prepress Artwork for Book Printing

Prepress artwork is the technical review and preparation of supplied files before proofing and production.

It confirms that the interior, cover, and additional artwork match the approved book specifications. The work is based on customer-supplied files and does not include original design, content editing, translation, or complete layout creation.

Prepress Review Scope

The files are reviewed against the confirmed quotation, specification sheet, and production template.

Adobe’s preflight system can check document size, page count, blank pages, bleed settings, image resolution, links, fonts, overset text, color spaces, and overprint conditions.

Files Supplied for Review

Most projects require an interior PDF and a complete cover file. Separate files may also be needed for endpapers, dust jackets, inserts, finishing masks, or printed book edges.

Editable source files, linked images, and permitted fonts should be included when technical adjustments cannot be completed from the PDF alone.

Each component should use a clear file name and version number, such as:

• ProjectName_Interior_V03.pdf

• ProjectName_Cover_V03.pdf

• ProjectName_Foil_V02.pdf

Interior and Cover Artwork

Interior pages should normally be supplied as single pages in final reading order. The printer prepares the production imposition after approval.

The interior review confirms that the document size, page count, page order, blank pages, and recurring elements are consistent. Full-page backgrounds are also checked for sufficient bleed. A common commercial-printing reference is 3 mm or 0.125 inch, although the project template takes priority.

The cover should be supplied as a complete production spread rather than only a front-cover image. Its dimensions must match the confirmed page count, paper thickness, binding, and cover structure.

Any change to these specifications may require an updated spine width or cover template.

Images, Fonts, and Color Data

Raster images are checked at their final placed size. 300 ppi is the usual reference for high-quality close-viewed printing, subject to the production method and image type.

The review also checks for missing or modified links, unavailable fonts, substituted text, and overset text. These issues can prevent the approved layout from being reproduced correctly.

Color data is compared with the order requirements. Unintended spot colors, duplicate swatches, incorrect black settings, or accidental overprint must be corrected before proofing.

Detailed requirements are covered separately under Image Resolution, Fonts and Outlines, and Printing & Color.

Special Finishing Artwork

Foil stamping, Spot UV, embossing, debossing, die-cutting, white ink, and printed edges require separate production artwork or clearly named layers.

The mask should show the exact application area and align with the printed design. Shadows, reflections, and texture previews should not be used as production masks.

Typical layer names include:

• FOIL

• SPOT_UV

• EMBOSS

• DEBOSS

• WHITE_INK

• DIE_CUT

• EDGE_ARTWORK

The technical limits for each process are explained on its own finishing page.

Review Result

After checking, the file is assigned one of the following statuses:

Minor adjustments may include correcting page-box settings, removing unnecessary printer marks, organizing production layers, or exporting a new PDF from complete source files.

Missing content, incorrect dimensions, changed page counts, unusable images, or major layout problems require revised artwork.

File Approval