Here you can find information about book upload, inlcluding the technical requirements for printing.
In the wizard insertion of titles on file you can save the technical characteristics specified for a title making them available for the insertion of new books without having to specify it each time.
Once the technical specifications have been defined just click on the “Save as predefined” button and create a new set, or update an existing set.
In the insertion of new books by clicking on the button “Load from predefined” you can specify which set to use, and the system will automatically compile all the technical data required, except for the number of pages, the bleeds and the spine that will have to be filled manually instead.
The files of the books to be entered into the archive must be in .pdf format.
The files of the cover and content must be separate .pdf files.
If both the inside and outside of the cover are printed, you must upload 2 separate files with the same bleed and spine measurements.
For milled paperback books the minimum format of the closed book is 10x10 cm. The maximum format is 21x29.7 cm (landscape or portrait). In the case of books with flaps, the minimum measurement is 12x10 cm.
Please note: flaps may not be able to be added to some formats. The system will carry out a test based on the specified format, number of pages and the paper, and if it is not possible to add the flaps a message will be shown to the user.
For hardcover books the minimum format of the closed book is 12x19 cm, the maximum fortmat is 21x29.7 cm.
To achieve the best possible result in the printing phase, the .pdf files of the books that you can upload into the archive must observe some very important rules that you can download here:
The spine varies depending on the number of pages and the type of paper chosen. During the title entry phase, the system will show the correct measurement that the spine of your book will have, but remember that you can specify the measurement as set in your file.
If the pdf of the cover has the bleeds equal for all 4 sides, you will not need to enter the measurement of the bleeds and the spine manually, but you can ask the system to automatically calculate the values.
Our system will run a check on the files uploaded and, if necessary, will automatically adapt the spine so that it complies with the dimensions envisaged.
You will also be sent a print preview to check before proceeding.
When entering a title into the archive, the system will run a quality check (pre-flight) on the files you upload (format, flaps, number of pages, measurements of the bleeds and quality of the images included, fonts incorporated and color) and will display the result of the check.
Any anomalies found will be classified as errors (blocking) or warnings (non-blocking). You can always replace the previously uploaded file immediately or later: the system will save the entry of the title in the position where you have stopped. If something is not right, you can replace the previously uploaded file.
Caution! Confirmation of the cover preview is equivalent to "Approved for printing" and complaints will not be accepted after printing.
When entering the title you must specify the measurement of the spine as well as on the pdf you are uploading.
If the pdf of the cover has the bleeds equal for all 4 sides, you will not need to enter the measurement of the bleeds and the spine manually, but you can ask the system to automatically calculate values.
Our system will automatically correct the measurement of the spine and will show you a preview of the result, communicating any distortion % applied. Please check the cover preview carefully.
The preview will show the adapted spine and the cutting lines that will be applied in production, as well as the Datamatrix/Qr code that is automatically entered on the back cover during processing, containing the data needed to manage production of the book.
The Datamatrix/QR Code is a square that is automatically placed on the back cover in the process of processing the file, it is indispensable because it contains the data necessary for the management of the book in production.
The system automatically inserts the Datamatrix code.
You can decide to replace the Datamatrix with a QR Code, a code that can be read by any smartphone. The system will also give you the ability to specify a link to an external web site (you can specify a link of up to 49 characters), within the QR code accessible through the reading of the code with a specific app on the mobile.
For both codes you can define the position within the 4th cover (choosing a default location or defining it directly with the pointer inside the preview of the cover). You can also check the alignment of the code texts, images or barcode through the display of guidelines by flagging the appropriate box.
Yes, of course. After uploading the pdf of the cover, the system will indicate a pulldown menu to choose where to position the Datamatrix/QR Code.
You can add it in one of the 4 corners of the cover or exactly define the position in the 4th cover through a simple tool that will allow you to drag it to the desired location. You can also check the alignment of the code texts, images or barcode through guidelines that can be activated by flagging the appropriate box.
In any case it will show you a preview of the result, which you can change if you do not like it.
Yes, once you specify the link into the field, opening the preview of the cover it will be possible to verify the QR code using your smartphone. We remind you that in order to read the code a special app must be installed on your phone.
The terms "Along grain printing" and "Cross grain printing" indicate the direction in which the book is printed, i.e.: the positioning of the page on the reel of paper on which the book is printed.
"Along grain printing" guarantees greater "flexibility" when reading the book, because the book is more "supple" and tends to stay open during reading.
If the book is printed "Cross grain", it will be "stiffer" when flicking through the pages.
"Along grain printing" is usually more expensive than "Cross grain printing" because more paper is wasted. "Cross grain printing" has been introduced to properly exploit the reel of paper - reducing costs - and consequently to offer less expensive printing.
Please remember that hardcover books can only be printed along grain. For milled paperback books, apart from certain formats which can only be printed along grain, you are free to choose which type of printing technique to use for each individual title
Papers for content available for orders of milled paperback POD titles and test copies:
B/W Inkjet quality printing:
• Creamy standard paper 70 gr
• Standard white paper 80 gr
• Premium matt coated paper 115 gr
High Quality BW printing
• Premium matt coated paper 135 gr
Inkjet Quality Color printing
• Premium matt coated paper 115 gr
• Standard white paper 80 gr
High Quality Color printing
• Premium matt coated paper 135 gr
Papers for content available for orders of RUNS (a minimum of 100 copies):
Milled paperback books - B/W printing
• Creamy standard paper 70 gr, 80 gr
• Standard white paper 80 gr, 90 gr, 100 gr;
• Premium matt coated paper 70 gr, 90 gr, 115 gr
Milled paperback books - High Quality B/W printing
• Premium matt coated paper 135 gr, 170 gr
• Premium glossy coated paper 135 gr
Milled paperback books - High Quality Color printing
• Premium matt coated paper 135 gr, 170 gr
• Premium glossy coated paper 135 gr
Milled paperback books - Inkjet Quality Color printing
• Premium matt coated paper 70 gr, 90 gr, 115 gr
• Standard white paper 80 gr, 100 gr;
Hardcover books - B/W printing
• Creamy standard paper 70 gr
• Standard white paper 80 gr
Hardcover books - High Quality B/W printing
• Matt coated paper 115 gr
Hardcover books - High Quality Color printing
• Standard white paper 80 gr
• Premium matt coated paper 115 gr
For milled paperback books we use a 300 gr. coated paper, which can be printed on the outside only or also on the inside. When entering the title in the archive, you can decide whether you would like it glossy or matt coated.
For hardcover books we use a 135 gr coated paper for the cover and a 170 gr coated paper for the dust jacket. When entering the title in the archive, you can decide whether you would like it glossy or matt coated. It is also possible to add an outside ennoblement to the cover and to the dustjacket, you can choose between the following finishing effect: supply of varnish, gold lamination, silver lamination, supply of extra thick varnish.
Creasing is the “trace-trail” created mechanically on the book’s cover to be opened without pulling on pages and glue. This guarantees a better endurance.
It could be “simple” or “double”, depending on which impression is done, only on the front (first page of cover) or also on back cover (last page of cover).