Author's Printing Checklist

Before uploading your files, work through every item in this checklist. Your internal pages and cover must match the specifications in your quotation and order.

Your files will be printed from the documents you supply. Please do not upload them until you have checked the book size, page count, margins, colour settings, cover measurements and final content.

We cannot reduce, enlarge or reformat your book to an alternate size as part of the printing process. Your internal pages and cover must already be prepared at the exact finished size ordered. For example, an A4 document cannot simply be uploaded for an A5 or 6 × 9 inch order. If the file size does not match the order, the files will need to be corrected and resupplied before production can begin.

1. Check your order against your files

2. Check your internal pages

3. Check your book margins

Not sure what margins your book needs?

Use our Book Margins Calculator. Enter the finished book size, page count, printing configuration and paper stock to check the additional gutter allowance required at the binding edge.

Open the Book Margins Calculator

4. Check black-and-white and colour pages

Checking colour in Adobe Acrobat

Adobe does not currently provide a free online tool that automatically counts the colour pages in a PDF. If you have the desktop version of Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can use All tools > Use print production > Preflight to identify RGB, CMYK and other colour objects and see the pages on which they appear.

Preflight may list several colour objects from the same page, so check the page numbers carefully when calculating the total number of colour pages.

Read Adobe's Preflight instructions

5. Check your cover file

Do you need help creating your cover?

If you do not have a finished, print-ready cover, you have two options:

Have your cover professionally designed

The Book Printing Company can design and prepare your cover to match your book specifications.

Order cover design

Create your own simple cover

Use our online Simple Cover Design Tool to create a cover for your book.

Open the Cover Design Tool

If you are supplying your own cover, use the correct calculator below before creating the artwork. Cover measurements depend on the finished book size, final page count, paper stock and binding type.

Paperback cover specifications

Calculate the complete back-cover, spine and front-cover spread for a perfect-bound paperback.

Open the Paperback Cover Calculator

Hardcover specifications

Calculate the complete cover dimensions required for a case-bound hardcover book.

Open the Hardcover Cover Calculator

If you are supplying a finished cover

Your cover must be supplied as one complete outside spread in this order:

Outside cover spread: back cover • spine • front cover

6. Complete a final visual check

Ready to upload?

Upload your files only after every relevant item above has been checked. If the files do not match the book specifications ordered, they may need to be corrected and resupplied before printing can begin.

Book Binding Options & Calculators — Paperback, Hardcover, Saddle Stitch, Spiral

Choose your binding, then price it instantly. For one-off orders see print on demand, or compare quantities on our short-run guide.

Paperback book printing — perfect bound example

Paperback Book Printing (Perfect Bound)

Trade-quality softcover. Up to ~700 pages on 80 gsm.

Learn more Calculator
Hardcover book printing — case binding options

Hardcover Book Printing (Case Bound)

Durable case-bound. Up to ~700 pages on 80 gsm.

Learn more Calculator
Saddle-stitched booklet printing — staples visible on spine

Saddle-Stitched Booklet Printing

Booklets and programs. Up to ~48 internal pages.

Learn more Calculator
Spiral and wire bound book printing — lay-flat workbooks

Spiral / Wire / Comb Book Printing

Lay-flat manuals and workbooks. ~10–300 pages.

Learn more Calculator

Popular book projects

Quick links to our most-requested specs and guides.

Children’s book printing Heavy stocks & durable covers Memoir book printing B/W or colour interiors Family history books Premium keepsake options A5 book printing Popular trim size Short-run book printing 50–500 copies Print on demand Order copies as needed Paperback book printing Perfect bound Hardcover book printing Case bound

How it works

How the book printing process works
Quote → Files → Proof → Print

Simple, fast, and expert help at every step.

  1. Get an instant quote

    Choose binding, size, stock and quantity.

  2. Prepare your files

    Use our size guides and calculators for a perfect fit.

    Book sizes Spine calculator
  3. Proof & go to print

    We email a proof. Approve online. Fast AU-wide delivery.

Book file prep tools (sizes, spines, margins)

Book sizesTrim sizes & bleeds Spine width (Perfect)Paperbacks — quick calc Spine width (Hardcover)Case-bound — quick calc Book marginsInner/outer margins Saddle calcMultiples of 4 pages Wire / coil calcQuick capacity guide Author resourcesExport presets, checklists & FAQs

FAQs

What is the max page count on 80 gsm paper?

Paperback (perfect) and hardcover: typically up to 700 pages. Saddle stitched: up to 48 internal pages. Wire, coil or comb: about 10 to 300 pages depending on coil size.

See binding limits

Is there a minimum order?

No minimum order. We specialise in short runs with AU wide delivery.

Request a quote

How long does it take?

Typical flow: quote, file check, digital proof, print, dispatch. Timelines depend on specification and quantity.

What files do you accept?

Print ready PDF (fonts embedded, CMYK, 300 dpi images) with bleed and safe margins.

What sizes and margins should I use?

Use common sizes (A5, 6x9 in). Allow larger inner margins on thicker books to avoid gutter loss.

How do I calculate spine width?

Rule of thumb: spine_mm = (page_count / 2) x paper_caliper_mm.

Do you print children books, A5 or family history books?

Yes. Paperbacks, casebound keepsakes, and workbooks are all supported.

What is the cheapest way to print a book?

Minimise colour pages, choose common stocks (80–100 gsm text, 250–300 gsm cover), pick popular sizes (A5 / 6x9), and print at price breaks.

Pricing examples

Open the calculator for each common spec and tweak quantity, stocks, or colour pages to match your project.

A5 Paperback — 200pp, B/W

Perfect bound • 80–100 gsm text • 250–300 gsm cover (matte/gloss) • CMYK cover, mono text

Great for novels & memoirs. Adjust quantity for best price breaks.

Open calculator Spec details

6×9 Hardcover — 160pp, Colour

Case bound • 128–150 gsm text • case wrap or jacket • full-colour throughout

Premium non-fiction, photo-heavy content, gift editions.

Open calculator Spec details

A4 Saddle-stitched — 24pp, Colour

Stapled booklet • 130–170 gsm text • 250 gsm cover • full-colour

Programs, brochures, zines. Remember: pages in multiples of 4.

Open calculator Spec details

A4 Wire / Coil — 120pp, B/W

Lay-flat binding • 100–170 gsm text • optional acetate/board covers • mono text

Workbooks, manuals, cookbooks; add tabs or laminated covers if needed.

Open calculator Spec details

A5 Children’s Book — 40pp, Colour

Perfect/wire options • 128–150 gsm text • sturdy cover • full-colour

Durable stocks recommended for younger readers.

Open calculator Spec details

A5 Family History — 300pp, B/W

Perfect or case • mono text with optional colour sections

Add colour photo sections to keep costs balanced.

Open calculator Spec details

Australia-wide delivery

We ship everywhere in Australia with reliable carriers and careful packaging. You’ll receive tracking on dispatch and help with timelines when you request a quote.

  • Speed: standard and express options depending on spec and destination.
  • Tracking: emailed on dispatch; delivery windows confirmed at proof approval.
  • Split deliveries: ship copies to multiple addresses if required.
Get an instant quote See short-run guide

Book Printing Company Service Areas