Our award-winning design studio can assist you in every phase of design, layout, photography and image enhancement.

If your book is designed in our studio, you are assured the files will meet production specifications. That helps to keep the project within budget.

You are the final judge of our work every step along the way. Never hesitate to "pick our brain" about anything that may make your project better. We have the technology for you to observe our designer's monitor "live" (real time) from anywhere in the world.

Once digital proofs meet your approval, we send you a color-accurate printer’s proof. This proof is used for color matching at the time of printing.

 

Email our studio

1-800-603-2823

a raw image	image after editing

Editing Text

Raw text has to be provided in ditigal form. A Word™ document will wolk best. When you receive our digital proof (.PDF) you have an opportunity to make editorial changes and we will send you a second digital proof. Editorial changes after the second proof may constitute additional charges. Changes at the time of print-ready color proof are strongly discouraged due to high cost and delays your project will suffer. We have a proofreader available to check your text before the final layout (not included in the base pricing).

Images

35mm slides, 4 x 5 transparencies, or high-resolution digital files will work. Please clearly identify the images (title, medium, dimensions, etc.) and their relevant placement in the text. Original artwork should always be professionally photographed. We can assist you in finding a professional photographer in your area. For best results, a color calibration scale should be photographed along with the image.
High-resolution digital images should be saved as either .EPS, or .TIFF files. Files should be in CMYK color mode and 300dpi* at 100%. JPG, GIF, PNG or other files downloaded from the internet cannot be used for print.

Copyright

It is your responsibility to ensure that copyright of all artwork is owned by you or used with permission from the legal copyright owner.

Please carefully inspect your transparencies and digital files before you send them to us.

Scanning Methods

We offer both flatbed and drumscanning for color scanning transparencies or flat art:

Flatbed Scanning

This method of scanning is generally adequate for book production but may not suffice when color is ultra-critical. If you select this method, you agree to accept the results achieved by our professional scanner operator. Our highly trained technicians aim for the best match. You will receive a digital (.pdf) proof but a color printed proof is not included at the scanning stage. If you select flatbed scanning, any color editing or rescanning will constitute additional charges.

Drumscanning

The drumscanner recognizes a wider spectrum than the flatbed scanner. If you choose drum scanning for your transparencies, your price includes one set of “scatter proofs”. These are loose color proofs of the scans before they are placed into the layout. Drum scanning is generally used when color is extremely critical. The price allows for either a rescan of the transparency or a digital adjustment to the scan, whichever yields optimal results.

We make every attempt to follow your instructions but poor originals are likely to yield dissatisfactory results.

Your printing estimate includes one set of complete color proofs as well as a pagination proof.

All layout proofs are digital until you are completely satisfied with your layout. At this point you can order a set of color prints at $2.00 per page. The base book price includes a complete color proof and a dummy book (showing the proper page imposition).

 

 

We can assist you with your ISBN registration and barcode. Please contact our pre-press department.

Other Useful Links

ISBN Application Process

Library of Congress for Publishers
Services and resources for the publishing community

Unites States Copyright Office
Copyright your work

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting your files to us is a simple but important process. You can attach small files to an email and larger files can be transfered via a secure FTP connection. We also accept virtually all hard disk media.

Media

We accept all common media such as DVD, CD and jump drives. Please contact your customer service representative.

Email Transfer

You may send files via email if less than 10mb.

FTP Transfer

Please follow these steps for FTP electronic file transfer:

1. Click on Client Area
2. Click on the FTP link
3. Fill out the simple form
4. Include any notes in the message section
5. Click the Browse button and locate the appropriate file on your computer, then press Open
6. When all files have been attached, press the Upload button
7. When a file has been uploaded, please send an e-mail to your customer service representative listing the file and publisher name.

We will gladly assist you with any questions you may have. Please contact your customer service representative.

File Compression

Make sure to “stuff” or “zip” your files to avoid corruption during file transfer.

Links to compression software:

WinZip  Zip PC files
Stuffit  Zip Mac files

Please feel free to contact our prepress department with any questions.
Incorrect files will delay production and may incur additional costs.

Q: What digital file formats are used internationally?
A: Clean and complete digital files are essential to successful international printing. Our office in Grand Rapids, MI houses a full-service design and file management agency. We even have a digital photo studio in-house. We can receive digital files from virtually any program. Pre-flighting files is always included in your quoted base price.

Q: Who owns the art files after the project is completed?
A: All design and artwork belongs to the customer as soon as all invoices are paid in full. We store a back-up copy of any files created in our studio. If you want all relevant digital files on a CD or DVD, a $25.00 per disc fee wil apply.

Q: What is DPI?
A: DPI (Dot Per Inch) is the measurement used in the printing and graphics design industry to determine how sharp an image is. Web graphics, online images, etc., are normally created at 72dpi; this low-resolution is great for the Web and the file sizes are very small. When designing graphics for printing purposes, images should be 300dpi or higher. This displays more information (or dots) for every square inch of the image you are viewing. The more dots used, the sharper the image.

Q: What is PPI?
A: PPI is (Pages per Inch) is a measurement of the bulk of paper. The higher the PPI, the thinner the book will be.

 

Q: What digital file formats are used internationally?
A: Clean and complete digital files are essential to successful international printing. Our office in Grand Rapids, MI houses a full-service design and file management agency. We even have a digital photo studio in-house. We can receive digital files from virtually any program. Pre-flighting files is always included in your quoted base price.

Q: Who owns the art files after the project is completed?
A: All design and artwork belongs to the customer as soon as all invoices are paid in full. We store a back-up copy of any files created in our studio. If you want all relevant digital files on a CD or DVD, a $25.00 per disc fee wil apply.

Q: What is DPI?
*DPI (Dot Per Inch) is the measurement used in the printing and graphics design industry to determine how sharp an image is. Web graphics, online images, etc., are normally created at 72dpi; this low-resolution is great for the Web and the file sizes are very small. When designing graphics for printing purposes, images should be 300dpi or higher. This displays more information (or dots) for every square inch of the image you are viewing. The more dots used, the sharper the image.