Star Print Brokers | Quick Prepress Guide

		SPB Prepress Submission
		form. Print out this form with a complete checklist.
		The files should be on CD or
		DVD in InDesign or Quark. Note: If the book has a low page count, or is a novel, you can also place the PDFs on our FTP site
		PDFs in pages, not spreads.
		Uncheck the box for "Spreads"
		Check the box for "Printers
		Marks"
		Make "Press Quality" PDFs in
		Acrobat 4 (PDF 1.3)
		Print-outs. Include one set
		with color as you wish to appear in your book. This is not needed for a novel without color, but is necessary when color is critical.

Making PDFs

InDesign: File>Export>Save (to
desktop). In window, Adobe PDF
Preset: Press Quality.
Compatibility: Acrobat 4 (PDF
1.3). "Spreads" box unchecked.
Under "Marks and Bleeds" menu,
check box: "All Printers Marks".
Below that, check box: "Use
Document Bleed Settings".

If spot varnish or spot UV is
used on images, provide a
separate file. Make a duplicate
file of the book and delete
anything that should not be
varnished.

InDesign: Create an object
style with a spot color fill based
on "None" (Window > Object
styles). Name it Spot (or UV)
Varnish. Effects for "object" will
be 100% black fill with no
border. Using the select tool,
select the image. With it still
selected, click on the spot
varnish object style that you
created. Then select the image
again with the direct select
tool. This allows you to either
"cut" or delete the photo,
leaving the black box that is
exactly the same size as the
now deleted image. Don't forget
to delete the page numbers on
this file, which is easy to do if
you have set the page numbers
up on a style sheet.

Preparing Files for Print

What to send

Please send the following:

SPB will provide a template for the cover, cover
wrap and dust jacket. Spine width is determined
by the weight and thickness of the text, cover,
and board.

Images in CMYK

All process color images need to be saved in CMYK, not RGB.
This is done in with 4 inks; Cyan, Yellow, Magenta and Black.

Scanning and sizing image

Photos (JPG or TIFF, but preferably TIFF) need to be
scanned at 300 dpi or greater. The image size should be the
same size or larger than they will appear in the book.

Bar Code

Leave the bar code background white or clear for best
results. Do not modify or crop. The correct placement is
the lower right corner of the back cover. If you would
like us to place the bar code for you, just forward the zipped
attachment to us. Also see FAQ at R. R. Bowker Bar C ode
Service.

Package files for prepress

See SPB Library and Tools page for template explanations. Files
need to be "packaged" in InDesign for a service provider, or
"collected" in Quark. This is different than saving the file. The
commands will gather images and fonts used in the file.
Inks in the swatch palette are CMYK process, and not spot.
There are four inks in process color. If you add a spot color, it
adds a fifth color which changes the quote.

The following is information to ensure files are
prepared properly. See more details at L ibrary
a nd Tools or call us directly at (425) 603-1777.

Collect images in an folder to use for images
before creating the document. Use the “Place”
command to insert images. If anything bleeds off
the page, allow 1/8 inch (0.125 inch). The bleed
is added in the bleed many images, you may
need to break it up into chapters. Double check
page numbering.