Book Resources

Book Artwork Setup

Artwork Setup

The artwork setup is the process you will go ensure your artwork is ready for print. As one of the fundamental parts of the overall process, it is important to setup your artwork correctly and to think about each step carefully in order for what you see on your screen to translate to your physical notebook.

The Basics

Most commonly people use adobe suite to create their artworks. InDesign is a particularly useful programme when creating inserts for your notebook as you can easily set up your file in a spread format, include bleeds and perforations and then export it ready for print. Within adobe programmes you are able to adjust your colour channels and ensure you are using the  CMYK which is the profile for print rather than RGB which is for screen.

You will need to create an artwork with extra space on the side which will be trimmed off once it is bound- this is called bleed. Bleed means images can go right up to the edge of the paper without leaving a white border. It is important to think how your design will translate to print and paper, as most screens are not print calibrated, the colours you choose may not be exactly as you see on your screen. Different papers will absorb ink in different ways, for example, an uncoated matte paper would mute the colours where as a coated, gloss would enable a bolder colour.

It is useful to play around with designs and print out tests as you go, so you have a better idea of what the physical notebook will be.

Quick check list for your artwork

1. Colour
Is your artwork in a CMYK colour profile?

2. Image Quality
Images must be at at least 300 dpi for quality, non pixelated quality

3. Bleed 
Use a 3mm bleed to create seamless edges

4. Size
Want to print in A4? Your file size must be A4

5. File Type
When exporting your artwork, your file should be in PDF format