Quick Specifications and

Info for Print Books

Cover Specs and Info 2

Black and White Interior Specs and Info 4
Color Interior Specs and Info 5
Most Common Print Errors 6

1 revised 05/02/2016
 Cover Specs and Info
Preparing your cover for print is easy! Use the Cover
Generator provided by our printer, Lightning Source. To
reach it directly click this link:
https://www.lightningsource.com/covergenerator.aspx
Simply fill out the specifications with these things in mind:
• • 13-digit ISBN: Enter all zeroes [000-0-00000-000-0].
Do not enter a real ISBN even if your book has one.
• • Publisher Reference Number: Optional fi eld for your
own stock code if you use one.
• • Trim Size: Select your book size.
• • Interior Color and Paper: Select if your book interior
is B&W, Standard Heavyweight Color, or Premium Color.
Since these are printed on different paper stock, your cover
template’s spine width will change depending on your interior
content type, so be sure you are using the correct setting.
• • Binding Type: Case Bound is Hardcover, (we do not
offer Cloth Bound), Perfect Bound is Softcover and Saddle
Stitch is Softcover for very low page count books under 48
pages.
• • Laminate Type: Select your choice.
• • Duplex Cover: Select No. We currently don’t offer
duplex covers.
• Page Count: When entering the page count, remember
2
that the count should be divisible by 4 or 6 (depending
on book size) AND you will be removing the last page for
Lightning Source to use in production. Even though this page
is NOT included in the Book Block file submission, it needs to
be part of the page count for the generator (your page count
does not include the cover).
• • File Type: Select PDF or InDesign depending on your
needs..
• • Email: Your email address.
• • Optional Information: Leave them as they are.
• Once all the information is filled in. Double check to be
sure that none of the fields have reset.
• • Click Submit: The template will be generated and
emailed to you.
Here’s a little info about color options to help
you make choices and fill out the generator.
STANDARD
HEAVYWEIGHT COLOR
Standard Heavyweight and Black & White are economical
choices for POD and are available in all Lightning Source
B&W trim sizes with additional color sizes.
Bind Types: Perfect Bound
Case Laminate
(Saddle Stitch not available.)
Paper: (Heavyweight) 70#, 378 PPI White
Page Range: 18 – 1200 pages
For current trim sizes, please see our website.
PREMIUM COLOR
Premium Color prints superior color books with premium
paper using our existing, high-quality color print technology.
Bind Types: Saddle Stitch
Perfect Bound
Case Laminate bind types
Paper: 70#, 378 PPI White
Page Range: 4 – 48 pages saddle-stitch only
24 – 900 pages perfect bound only
24 – 840 pages case bound only
For current trim sizes, please see our website.
 Cover Specs and Info
Quick Specs
The following are specifications that you should know when
laying out cover files.
Resolution: 300 dpi
Color Space: CMYK
LPI (lines per inch): 180
Preferred file format: PDF (.pdf) on LSI cover template.
PDF Output Compliance: PDF/X-1a:2001
(PDF/X-3:2002 Scribus)
Template: Created with LSI template only.
Spine: NO spine text for page counts below 48.
Requirements
•  DF COMPLIANCE: Files must be PDF/X-1a:2001
P rich black with CMYK values of 60% Cyan (C), 40%
compliant, or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant if outputting
from Scribus.
• TEMPLATE: Cover artwork should be placed within the
crop marks on the correct template produced by the
template generator. Please do not reposition any items
on the template (except the barcode) – all items (trim
size / crop marks / spine calculation) are required and
placed for LSI’s specific printing workflow.
* Note: The only exceptions are the pink and blue areas
that can be removed or covered up from EPS/PDF
templates before submission. Final PDF should be
created at the size it’s received. Artwork should not
extend past the crop marks.
• B
 ARCODES: Barcode on LSI cover template should be
deleted (the barcode on the cover only, leave the other)
from the back cover.
1.75” wide by 1” inches tall.
3
* LSI will add a Production barcode to the back cover.
* If you would like to designate where the barcode
should be placed, put a white box, exactly 1” Tall x
1.75” Wide, where you would like it on the back cover,
and LSI will insert a barcode on that box.
• S
 PINE: NO spine text is allowed for books with page
counts below 48.
• SAFETY: 0.25” (6 mm) recommended safety on all
sides from final trim size.
• C
 OLOR: All images in a cover file must be CMYK.
Images that are less than 200 dpi may be rejected.
(Resolutions this low are considered too low in quality
for printing.)
•  ODY TEXT: For best results for text that is 24 pt. or
B
below, please use 100% black only - CMYK values of
0% Cyan (C), 0% Magenta (M), 0% Yellow (Y), and
100% Black (K).
• B
 LACK/RICH BLACK / DENSITY: We recommend a
Magenta (M), 40% Yellow (Y), and 100% Black (K).
CMYK total value should not exceed 240%.
* Files sent with densities higher than 240% may be
rejected for correction.
• INK COVERAGE: Total ink coverage should not exceed
240% anywhere on the cover.
• SPOT COLORS / RGB: Please convert all spot colors
(PMS / PANTONE) with/without transparencies to
CMYK (even in supporting .eps files).
* Note: RGB files received will be converted to CMYK
before printing. RGB / spot color with/without
transparency may produce unexpected color results
including white or black boxes over text when printing.
Any dissatisfaction with color shift will be the publisher’s
responsibility to correct.
Sample Cover Template
 Black and White Interior Specs and Info
Quick Specs
The following are specifications that you should know when
laying out text for Black and White Interiors.
Resolution: 600 dpi for black & white line art
300 dpi for grayscale continuous tone images.
Color Space: Grayscale
LPI (lines per inch): 106
Preferred file format: PDF (.pdf)
PDF Output Compliance: PDF/X-1a:2001
(PDF/X-3:2002 Scribus)
Bleed: 0.125” on outside three edges
Safety: Recommended minimum 0.5” (13 mm) on all sides.
Accepted Submission Methods: Web upload for files.
Requirements
• ALL FONTS must be embedded in all PDF files.
• PDF COMPLIANCE: Files must be PDF/X-1a:2001
compliant, or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant if outputting
from Scribus.
• SAFETY: It is best that you use a minimum of 0.5” (13
mm) safety on all sides of your text block. If text or
images are too close to trim edges, they could be cut in
the printing and binding process.
4
•  LEED: Black and white book files can be submitted
B
with or without bleed. Books without bleed must be
submitted at the appropriate trim size and with the
recommended safetys. Books with bleed must have the
added bleed space to the three outside trim edges. Do
NOT add bleed the the inside bind (gutter) side.
• C
 ROP MARKS: Please do not include crop, printer or
registration marks in a file. These are not necessary for
LSI’s workflow. Marks included in a file could show up
in printed copies.
• PAGE COUNT: Books that are 6.69” x 9.61” and larger
should have a page count divisible by 4. Books that are
6.14” x 9.21” and smaller should have a page count
divisible by 6. For all sizes, be sure page counts are
divisible by 2. Creating files with proper page counts
will help to ensure the least amount of blank pages
are added to the back of the book. The publisher
should end text files of a book without padding pages,
and Lightning Source will add the additional pages
necessary to achieve page counts during the setup and
the print process.
* The final page of all submissions must be completely
removed and is reserved for a check barcode and
information for LSI.
• SPOT COLORS / ICC PROFILES: Please do not
include Spot colors or ICC profiles in your file as these
can produce unexpected color shifting results during
processing. ICC profiles applied to 100% black text
often convert to a shade or percentage of gray (less
than 100% black). This will result in text in your proof
that is not solid black. If text is intended to appear as
solid black, including Spot colors or ICC profiles can
cause delays in receiving a correct proof.
 Color Interior Specs and Info
Quick Specs
The following are specifications that you should know when
laying out text for a STANDARD HEAVYWEIGHT COLOR
or PREMIUM COLOR color book title.
Resolution: 300 dpi
Color Space: CMYK
LPI (lines per inch): 180 – Standard Heavyweitght
180 – Premium Color
Required file format: PDF (.pdf)
PDF Output Compliance: PDF/X-1a:2001
(PDF/X-3:2002 Scribus)
Bleed: 0.125” except on bind side (gutter).
Safety: Recommended minimum 0.25” (6 mm) on all sides
Accepted Submission Methods: Web upload.
Gutter Allowance:
Saddle Stitch Books—no gutter required.
Perfect/Case Laminate Books—0.125” gutter (no-ink area) is
required.
Requirements
For both Standard Heavyweight and Premium Color
Submissions:
• PDF COMPLIANCE: Files must be PDF/X-1a:2001
compliant, or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant if outputting
from Scribus.
* Text files must be submitted as a single PDF file.
Submissions with multiple files will be rejected.
• CROP MARKS: Please do not include crop / printer /
registration marks in a file.
• SAFETY: All text and non-bleeding art is recommended
to be a minimum of 0.25” (6 mm) from final trim size.
•  LEED: Graphics and art intended to print to the edge
B count divisible by 4
of a page should bleed a full 0.125” past the final trim
size (except on the bind side). If an image used does not
provide for enough bleed (full 0.125”), please extend a
complimenting color the full amount of bleed required.
5
• G
 UTTER: Saddle Stitch Books: no gutter required.
Perfect or Case Bound Books: 0.125” gutter (no-ink
area) is required on the bind side of the interior. These
are bound with glue, and the area is designated so it
can adhere to all pages.
• COLOR / RESOLUTION: All images in a text file must
be CMYK. Images should be 300dpi/ppi. Those that are
less than 200 dpi will be rejected. (Resolutions this low
are considered too low in quality for printing)
• B
 ODY TEXT: For best results for text that is 24 pt. or
below, please use 100% black only - CMYK values of
0% Cyan (C), 0% Magenta (M), 0% Yellow (Y), and
100% Black (K).
• B
 LACK / RICH BLACK / DENSITY: We recommend a
rich black with CMYK values of 60% Cyan (C), 40%
Magenta (M), 40% Yellow (Y), and 100% Black (K).
CMYK total value should not exceed 240%.
* Files sent with densities higher than 240% may be
rejected for correction.
• INK COVERAGE: Total ink coverage should not exceed
240%. Files sent with ink coverage higher than 240%
may be rejected for correction
• SPOT COLORS: Please convert all spot colors with /
without transparencies to CMYK. These may produce
unexpected results when printing.
Any dissatisfaction with color shift will be the publisher’s
responsibility to correct.
• P
 AGE COUNT: Creating files with proper page
counts will help to ensure the least amount of blank
pages possible are added to the back of the book.
The publisher should end text files of a book without
padding pages, and Lightning Source will add the
additional pages necessary to achieve page counts
during the setup and the print process.
* Books that are 6.14” x 9.21” and smaller must have a
page count divisible by 6
* Books that are 6.69” x 9.61” and larger must have a page
* The final page of all submissions must be completely
blank or removed and is reserved for a check barcode
and information for LSI.
 Most Common Print Errors
PDF/X Compliance
If a book is not PDF/X-1a:2001 compliant, our automated
system will try to preflight it to be compliant. If it is
successful, the files will print. If it is unsuccessful, either the
files will be rejected and an email will be generated to notify
the publisher or it may try to print the file which will result in
many print errors including white boxes around art and text.
Be sure books are compliant BEFORE you upload them.
Use the PDF/X-1a:2001 setting to export your PDF.
Bleed
Some black and white books and all color books need a
0.125" bleed on the outside three page edges only. If you
created your book using any version of InDesign, set your
file to export using the PDF/X-1a:2001 setting and be sure
the Allow Document Bleed box is checked.

If that is not an option, it can be converted using Acrobat.

Open the file in Acrobat:

1. Open the Tools menu;

2. Under Print Production open the Preflight window;

3.  lick on Standards, set it to PDF/X and click through

C
to the last window;

4.  ake sure the settings are in place, then click Save

M
as and give it a new name.

Gutter
Color books must have a gutter allowance (white space)
of 0.125" on the inside edge of every page, top to bottom.
This area is glued into the spine, so it is not the live
area of the page, and nothing should be lost. The gutter
allowance ensures that the
spine glue holds as tight as
it should. If there is no gutter
allowance in a color book,may
be rejected. If you are working
in InDesign, adding a gutter
allowance is not difficult. On
your master page, simply add
a new layer (be sure it's on
top) and make a white box
0.125" wide that runs top of
bleed to bottom. If your pages
are set to use the master, the
white line will appear on all
pages and will look similar to
this:

6
 Most Common Print Errors
Ink Coverage
Color books cannot have ink coverage that exceeds 240%.
When selecting colors in layout, set blacks to: Cyan 0%,
Magenta 0%, Yellow 0% and Black 100%. If you want a
richer black you can set values to: Cyan 60%, Magenta
40%, Yellow 40% and Black 100%. The rich black may look
better, but if it is layered with other elements it may push
the combination to be over ink.

If you are working in any version of Adobe CS, ink

coverage can be viewed and corrected in a few steps.

Check Ink Coverage in InDesign layout

Click on the Window pull-down menu (1) at the top, mouse
over Output and select Separations Preview. In the window
that opens, there is a little pull-down menu next to where it
says View, select Ink Limit (2) and set the percent to 241%
(3). It will show you all the things that are over ink coverage
in red.

Ink Coverage Correction in Photoshop

Open the art file in Photoshop. In the Edit pull-down (1)
menu select Convert to Profile (2). In the menu that opens,
under Destination Space - Profile select Custom CMYK
(3). Make sure the Ink Colors is set to SWOP (Coated) (4)
and change the total ink limit to 235% (5). Leave all other
settings as they are. Save as .tif or .psd. When the files
are corrected, you can relink them to the InDesign file or
replace them in the Illustrator file.

Over ink is best corrected and checked in Photoshop and layout. If you
are able, that is. If you are unable to, you can check and force correct in
Acrobat, although the results may be poor. If you have no better option,
the instructions to correct in Acrobat are on the next page.

7
 Most Common Print Errors
Over ink is best corrected and checked in Photoshop and layout. If you
are able, that is. If you are unable to, you can check and force correct in
Acrobat, although the results may be poor.
Check Ink Coverage in Acrobat
Open the final PDF/X in Acrobat. Click on Tools (1) to open
the menu, then under Print Production, click Output Preview
(2) to open that menu. In Acrobat 9 and earlier, this menu
can be found in the pull-down menu, select Advanced > Print
Production > Output Preview. In the window that opens, tick
the box next to Total Area Coverage and set it to 241% (3).
Anything that is over ink will be bright neon green.
Ink Coverage Correction in Acrobat
This is a last resort fix. Open your final PDF/X file. Open
the Print Production menu (in Acrobat 9 and earlier, it's
under the Advanced menu at the top), choose Convert
Colors. In the window that opens, find the shaded section
called Conversion Attributes. Change the center pull-down
menu to Japan Color 2002 Newspaper. Under the shaded
Convert Options area, check all three boxes (Preserve
Black, Promote Gray to CMYK Black, Preserve CMYK
Primaries). Click OK. You will get a warning. Click OK.
When the file is done processing, choose Save As and give
it a different name (so as not to save over the original file,
in case there's a problem).
There can be a large color shift when this process is used;
that is why it is referred to as a last resort. Please check to
make sure it is now within Ink Coverage range and that the
color value is acceptable before uploading to print.