Saddle Stitch Booklets

For your Saddle Stitch Booklet, please provide a single pdf file
that includes your cover and interior pages.
We request that the file be sent as single pages, in one multi-page 
PDF. Please include the pages in this order:

Outside front cover
Inside front cover
Page one
Page two
Page three
Page etc.
Inside back cover
Outside back cover

Thus, when the pages are printed and assembled they will appear as below:

Please Note: Uploading a single-page PDF file does not mean uploading
one PDF for each page. It means all the pages in your PDF file should
be single pages not as spreads or facing pages.

Our Design Guideline templates tab will help you ensure your design/layout will meet all your expectations with regard to size and print ready bleed and safe area settings. You can down load a PDF template there or use the detailed below.

Basic Layout Instructions:
• Bleed: 1/8″ overall (.125 of an inch) will be trimmed off each side of your product. Your Final PDF file then should be .125” larger than the card you have selected. So a Jumbo Card is 5.5” Tall x 8.5” Wide. Your submitted file would be 5.75” Tall by 8.75” wide (added .125 to the left, right, top and bottom)
• Trim (cut) Line: This is where we will cut your card down from a much larger size press sheet to the final size that you ordered.
Borders- If you card has a border design, that border needs should be at least 1/4″ thick from the bleed line to ensure a balanced look
• Safe Area: This area is close to wear the card is trimmed to its final size.
Elements (i.e., text, graphs, tables) too close to or over the trim edge maybe trimmed further than you think due to manufacturing tolerances. Make sure no critical text or part of any image leaks into the Safe
Images bordering the trim should be expanded to the Bleed line so that that they “bleed” off the page

• Images/Photos: CMYK @ 300dpi (1200dpi for Bitmaps) Hi Res Print - Not Web
•  Flatten File: We recommend you flatted your final print ready card as you output the file. Especially if you are using transparencies or mask. This will assure that you exactly how your cards will look. Flattening at times can adjust all colors overall. All products we print are “Flattened”. This is part of our service so if you don’t flatten the card, it is fine, as we will at no charge. We just want you to beware that this can impact the entire card at times, based on how it was originally composed.

Print Recommendations “Print-Ready”

Print-Ready Files It a common term used every day in commercial printing, but it can mean different things. They are essential elements your file needs to ensure it translates from your computer to the printing press accurately and consistently without the need for any additional edits or adjustments. PDF Format Whether you’re designing a postcard, property brochures or perfect bound marketing booklets the first step in creating a file for online printing is knowing what format it’s in. A PDF is the best format. Other File Formats Other formats have broader editing capabilities, such as Adobe Photoshop (.psd format), Illustrator (.ai format) or InDesign (.indd/imdl). They can work however you have Package and Zip with Links and Font Folders and save as an IMDL otherwise they cannot be used. Formats like Microsoft Document (.docx), PowerPoint (.ppx) or Publisher (.pub) are not optimized for a printing press. And formats like .png and .jpeg. are static images that, if designed correctly, can be printed, but there will most likely be a charge to convert them. Nothing will advance however without your approval. Print-Ready File Requirements To ensure your file is ready for press and other online printing services, follow these guidelines: All of your images should be high resolution. We recommend images are 300 PPI for small format projects like booklets, cards or brochures, and 150 PPI for large format projects like custom signs and banners.

Make sure your files use CMYK colors for the most accurate comparison between what you see on your screen and what is produced with the press (not guaranteed to match exactly)

Your design files must have the appropriate bleed to ensure any variances in commercial production don’t affect your print. .125″ or 1/8″ variance in the event that the machines drift slightly in any direction. Because of this, your finished size should be expanded by 1/4″. Thus the final PDF file size for a 8.5×11 Brochure will actually be 8.75 x 11.25

Your design files should have all transparent objects, images or drop shadows flattened. PMS Pantone colors will be converted on the fly to CMKY unless for Signs and you have ordered PMS Colors.

General Rule As long as you have a PDF with high resolution images in the CMYK color space with the appropriate bleed, you’ll be on your way to creating the correct print-ready file and your own exceptional project!

Print-Ready Files It a common term used every day in commercial printing, but it can mean different things. They are essential elements your file needs to ensure it translates from your computer to the printing press accurately and consistently without the need for any additional edits or adjustments. PDF Format Whether you’re designing a postcard, property brochures or perfect bound marketing booklets the first step in creating a file for online printing is knowing what format it’s in. A PDF is the best format. Other File Formats Other formats have broader editing capabilities, such as Adobe Photoshop (.psd format), Illustrator (.ai format) or InDesign (.indd/imdl). They can work however you have Package and Zip with Links and Font Folders and save as an IMDL otherwise they cannot be used. Formats like Microsoft Document (.docx), PowerPoint (.ppx) or Publisher (.pub) are not optimized for a printing press. And formats like .png and .jpeg. are static images that, if designed correctly, can be printed, but there will most likely be a charge to convert them. Nothing will advance however without your approval. Print-Ready File Requirements To ensure your file is ready for press and other online printing services, follow these guidelines: All of your images should be high resolution. We recommend images are 300 PPI for small format projects like booklets, cards or brochures, and 150 PPI for large format projects like custom signs and banners.

Make sure your files use CMYK colors for the most accurate comparison between what you see on your screen and what is produced with the press (not guaranteed to match exactly)

Your design files must have the appropriate bleed to ensure any variances in commercial production don’t affect your print. .125″ or 1/8″ variance in the event that the machines drift slightly in any direction. Because of this, your finished size should be expanded by 1/4″. Thus the final PDF file size for a 8.5×11 Brochure will actually be 8.75 x 11.25

Your design files should have all transparent objects, images or drop shadows flattened. PMS Pantone colors will be converted on the fly to CMKY unless for Signs and you have ordered PMS Colors.

General Rule As long as you have a PDF with high resolution images in the CMYK color space with the appropriate bleed, you’ll be on your way to creating the correct print-ready file and your own exceptional project!

Keep in mind, the Wire Spiral Binding on the side will effect your page layout. Generally about 3/8" to 1/2" should be allocated for this on the covers and inside pages
(if you are submitting your own inside page deign rather then selecting - Blank- College Ruled or Dots) .  For best results have your designer or yourself, follow the guidelines below and you are deigns template as a reference

Here are guidelines/rules to follow when creating your Booklets:
• Page counts start on the cover as page 1, inside cover as page 2 and so on.
• Total bleed is 0.125” and total Safety is 0.25” for Saddle Stitched and Any Coil Bound
• Spiral Coil will use 3/8" to 1/2" on the side for punch and bind.

• Only single pages will be accepted. NO readers OR printers spreads please. This allows us to set up your crossovers properly.

For example, a (12) page - 8.5x11 booklet with bleed
should be a single (multipage) PDF file with - (12) 8.75x11.25 pages total. The first page is the Front Cover and the last page is the Back Cover.

Any transparency issue can be resolved before saving your file.

Example:

What a transparency problem looks like on screen...After a transparency problem is printed...
To prevent this, never use shadows, glows, or any other transparency (image or otherwise) on top of a spot color. Always convert your spot color to CMYK and FLATTEN before sending.

Bleed must extend past the cut-line and will be trimmed from the product during the final cutting phase. When the image is required to extend all the way to the edge, bleed is needed to preserve the finished look and the quality of the final product.

- The bleed for All Digital and offset Print Products is 0.125".
- The bleed for Signs, Posters, Display or Large Format Products is 0.250".

Please keep all text at least 0.25" inside the cut-line. This Safe Zone will make sure no content is compromised.

We would like 300 dpi files and no less. Low resolution files may be printed as is or will be placed on hold until we receive new files, slowing your turn-around.