HARDCOPY PROOFS

Your hardcopy proofs are vital to ensuring the integrity of the final product. As a quality control measure, we compare the hardcopy that you send us with the final plate. The hardcopy proof must match the electronic files that you submit to us. If you are sending files to Webcom electronically, you should fax a hardcopy of the proof that is 100% size and then forward the original proof via courier. A job without an accompanying hardcopy proof will not be expedited, so please include a hardcopy with all of the files you submit.

This section was developed to clear up some general book layout issues for designers. Please note that this section doesn’t go into specific details since Webcom supports a wide variety of page layout software. For more information, please contact your Webcom Representative.

Download Accepted File Formats

Text Application Files

1. Set your document size to the final trim size of your book.
2. If your text files include bleeds, include a minimum of 3/16" bleed at the top, bottom and outside edge of the book. Do not extend the bleed past the spine trim line. Increase the bleed allowance if you think that the document must be reduced to fit a smaller trim than specified in the document.
3. Always include a 1/4" safety margin for your text. This will keep a good amount of white space on the page, which will help to make your book more readable and ensure proper press and bindery allowances. This safety margin also applies to bleed tabs. Ensure that a 1/4" safety margin is maintained between type on a tab and the trim.
4. Always create your layout as facing-pages if your application allows it. This ensures that your Outside and Inside margins are consistent, especially when they are different sizes. Laying out your document as "facing-pages" is very important in the case of a Saddle Stitch book where you need to ensure that elements do not cross the gutter onto the facing page.
5. When creating a document, do not create a single file for each page. Instead, break your file down by chapter or just send one large document file.

Cover Application Files

1. When creating your cover files, create one file with one page that encompasses the entire cover rather than separate files or separate pages for the front, spine and back cover. If you create separate files or separate pages, we have to merge them into one to create your cover. This will slow down the entire process and will cost you extra money. If you are not sure about the spine width, please contact your Project Manager for an accurate measurement.

2. If images bleed (i.e. page matter is printed beyond the edge of the page) then the design must extend beyond your defined page limits. We require a bleed value of at least 3/16". Using more bleed than you need never hurts, but too little bleed may affect the quality of the finished book.
3. For books bound using the Otabind process, a .5" glue band adjacent to the spine is required on the Inside Front and Inside Back covers. This band must be completely devoid of ink so that the glue can adhere properly. This is the area that will hold the cover to the text block.
4. Specific trapping values are best applied here at Webcom. Trapping is applied automatically using industry-standard, high-end trapping software. For more information, contact your Project Manager.

Download File Submission Checklist

MAKING REVISIONS OR CORRECTIONS

Mistakes happen. In order to expedite the revisions you can either make the changes yourself or have Webcom’s team of prepress experts make the changes for you. Keep in mind that PostScript and PDFs files cannot be altered by Webcom.

If you make the changes to a file yourself:

1. Mark any changes on the most recent proof that you received from Webcom.
2. Text and mechanical changes should be made to the computer file and saved as a revised file with a new electronic file name. If possible, the new name should contain a suffix (like “_Rev”)  as long as the file extension follows the revision suffix.
3. If you have modified images, include these with the revised files when you send us the changes. Be sure to update these images in your document and check that cropping and placement have not been altered by your modifications.
4. Generate a new hardcopy of your revised file. Again, this hardcopy is essential as we compare it to the printing plates to determine that what we are printing is actually what you intended.
5. Send us:

   The marked up copy of your original proof.

   Hardcopy of the revised files.

   The revised and renamed files and any revised images. If you are sending us PS or PDF files and the revised pages are fewer than ten, send just the affected pages.

If you would like Webcom to make the changes to your files:

1. Mark any changes on the most recent proof that you received from Webcom.
2. Webcom’s team of prepress experts will make the necessary changes and return a new proof to you.
3. Sign off on the new proof after ensuring that all of your changes have been made and return the proof to us.

*Prepress extra charges will be applied to any changes made by Webcom. For an estimate of specific charges, please contact your Project Manager.

Take advantage of our free file testing service

Include preference files, extensions/plug-ins, libraries, dictionaries, and any other add-ons that may be necessary to image the file

Delete any unused style sheets that reference fonts not being used in the text. Delete images that are positioned off the page or master page, unused spot colours, and images that have been suppressed from print.