Adobe extension, font types and file types
Adobe extension, font types, and file types for self-publishers and designers printing a book on press.
The Adobe extension, font types, and file types can be confusing if you come from another corner of the design and publishing world. We set the record straight, giving you more information about each. Plus, we indicate which can be used for book printing on press.
We leave out some of the Adobe extension, font types, and file types that you won’t be using, so just know that there are more that are not listed here. They mostly have other uses.
The Adobe extension(s), font types, and file types that you may use.
Adobe makes quite a few programs, but we are specifically referring to printing books on press for this article.
Adobe InDesign.
InDesign is by far the most popular to use for book design and layout.
.INDD
You can put an entire book in a single INDD document. This Adobe extension stands for InDesign Document. However, if you are creating a lengthy book, or a book with lots of images, it is better to have separate documents for each chapter, and add them all into a Book, or INDB. To create the separate documents, use Command, File > New.
.INDB
This is the Adobe extension that is created when you create a new book using the Command, File > New >, then choose Book. After it is created, add your INDD documents to this book. INDB stands for InDesign Book.
.IDML
IDML stands for InDesign Markup Language. These files are compatible with CS4 and later. It comes in handy when you are working in a newer version of InDesign, but need to transfer the file to someone with an older version.
Adobe Photoshop.
You can convert images from RGB to CMYK in Photoshop (use US Sheetfed Coated v2), and do a lot of wonderful manipulations to images. You might even layout a book cover, but we prefer to use InDesign for the actual layout.
.PSD
PSD is and Adobe extension that simply stands for Photoshop Document. You can save a PSD as a JPG or TIF for book printing, but you can also place the PSD file on the page too. If will looks a bit fuzzy on your monitor, so before you react, save the file as a PDF. When viewed in a PDF, the PSD or EPS should look fine.
.RAW
A RAW Adobe extension contains the original image information before any processing is done. Always save your camera raw images to refer to, in case a mistake is made in manipulation, saving, or converting to CMYK.
Adobe Illustrator.
Great for logo design and drawing.
.AI
This Adobe extension is created automatically when creating and saving a new file in Illustrator.
The only font types that should be used.
Use either OTF or TTF font types for book layout and design.
.OTF
Think of the OTF font types as having all of the functionality of TTF, but with larger character sets for different languages and glyph characters. Open Type Font is what OTF is short for, and it can be used on both Macintosh and Windows platforms without conversion.
.TTF
TTF is for True Type Font, another of the font types. It came before OTFs or Open Type. When you have a choice in buying typefaces, we recommend Open Type instead of True Type. Adobe no longer supports Type Type Fonts.
Standard File Types.
When printing on press, all images must be a minimum of 300 ppi or greater, and be sized to the dimensions the image will be in the final book, or larger. The two most common file types for book printing on press, are the JPG and TIF.
.JPG
The JPG file types are used most of the time in book production, but there is a catch. For one thing, there is no transparency support. But, the even bigger problem is that JPGs can lose resolution; sometimes called “lossies.” This typically happens when saving an image in a Photoshop version that is less that the full, paid version.
.TIF
TIF or TIFF file types stands for Tagged Image Format (Format). It is an image format file for high-quality graphics.
.EPS
Encapsulated Post Script is what EPS stands for, and it is one of the file types used in vector-based images in Adobe Illustrator. An EPS file can contain text as well as graphics.
A PDF is a Portable Document Format. It’s a file format that captures all the elements of a print document as an electronic image. You can view it, navigate pages, print, and forward to another person.
Typically, an author or designer will make a PDF to view a book in spreads before printing. If approved, they then make another PDF that is set-up in single pages, with printer’s marks for printing on press.
In Summary …
This covers the basic Adobe extension, font types, and file types that you will use to print on press. As we said before, there are more types, but other than submitting a book in Microsoft Word, you should not use them for printing on press. We also do not accept files in Microsoft Publisher.
Star Print Brokers tries to help self-publishers to prepare files and use of file types, in the most professional and accurate way to achieve the best results on press. An example of a mistake is designing a book using font types meant for smart phones. Yes, that happened!
We are hear to help and answer questions about book printing and Adobe extension(s). The staff cannot give individual InDesign lessons, but there is a lot of useful information on our site. We do offer book design, sample pricing, and even redesign services.
Please see our tutorials too! Adobe InDesign has excellent resources for your questions about one of their Adobe products, file types, or font types, and their usage.
