Image quality and Graphics Placement
Images and graphics are vital elements in many books, especially those featuring illustrations, photographs, charts, or other visual content. Proper placement of these elements ensures your book is visually appealing, professional, and easy to read. This chapter will guide you through the steps to place images and graphics in your book using Microsoft Word, focusing on techniques like image wrapping and linking images to text to maintain layout consistency.
Placing Images and Graphics
When you insert images into your book, it’s essential to ensure they are aligned with your text and positioned correctly. Follow these steps to insert and position your images:
Step 1: Insert the Image
Place your cursor where you want the image to appear. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon. Click Pictures, then select This Device or another source to choose your image.
Step 2: Adjust Image Size
After inserting the image, click on it to select it. Use the corner handles to resize the image proportionally. Avoid resizing by dragging the side handles, as this can distort the image. Ensure the image resolution is at least 200 dpi to maintain print quality.
Setting Up Image Wrapping
Image wrapping controls how the text flows around your image. Proper wrapping ensures that the image integrates smoothly into your layout without disrupting the flow of text.
Apply Image Wrapping
Select the image and click the Layout Options icon (appears next to the image). Choose one of the following options based on your preference: In Line with Text: The image behaves like a text character. Best for documents where precise placement isn’t required. Square: Text wraps evenly around all sides of the image. Tight: Text hugs the edges of the image closely, ideal for non-rectangular images. Top and Bottom: Text appears only above and below the image, not alongside it. Behind Text or In Front of Text: Allows the image to layer with the text but requires careful placement to avoid obscuring content.
Linking Images to Text
To ensure that images stay connected to the relevant text as your content shifts or changes during editing, you need to anchor the image to the text.
Anchor an Image
Right-click the image and select Size and Position. In the dialog box, go to the Position tab. Check the box for Lock anchor under the Options section. Adjust the vertical and horizontal alignment options to specify how the image moves with the text.
Set Relative Positioning
In the Size and Position dialog box, select the Layout tab. Use the alignment options (e.g., align image to paragraph, page, or margin) to define the image’s relationship to the text or page layout. Click OK to save changes.
Grouping Images and Captions
If your image includes a caption, group them together so they remain as one element. Select the image and its caption (use Ctrl + Click to select both). Right-click and choose Group > Group from the context menu. Now, the grouped element will move and adjust together during layout changes.
Tips for Maintaining Image Quality
Image Format: Use PNG or TIFF formats for graphics to preserve quality. Avoid JPEG for text-heavy images or line art, as it may introduce compression artifacts. Resolution: Ensure images are at least 200 dpi. Lower resolution images (e.g., 72 dpi) will appear blurry, discoloured, or lack detail in print. Size Consistency: Keep similar images at the same size throughout the book for a uniform appearance.
Best Practices for Image Placement
Balance the Layout: Avoid crowding pages with too many images. Maintain a good balance of text and visuals. Margins and Alignment: Ensure images don’t extend into the margins unless intentionally designed to do so. Align them with the text for a polished look. Spacing: Leave consistent spacing between images and text to avoid clutter. Use paragraph spacing settings if needed. Black and White Images: If your book is black-and-white, convert images to grayscale to avoid printing issues and extra costs.