Author’s Printing Checklist

Before uploading your files, take a few minutes to complete this simple checklist. It will help prevent delays and make sure your files match the book you ordered.

Start with our file checkers

Check your internal pages

Upload the PDF containing the pages inside your book.

Open the Book File Checker

Check your cover

Upload your cover to see where the back cover, spine, front cover, trim and bleed will sit.

Open the Cover Checker

Check your order

Compare your final files with the details on your quotation or order.

My book size is the same as the size shown on my order.
My book is the correct way around: portrait or landscape.
My final number of pages, including blank pages, matches my order.
The paper, binding and colour options match my order.
If I changed the size, page count, paper or binding, I received updated cover measurements.

Check the pages inside your book

Open the final PDF and look through it as if you were reading the finished book.

All internal pages are together in one PDF and are in the correct reading order.
The PDF contains single pages, not two pages joined together as reader spreads.
All page numbers, headings, images and intentionally blank pages are in the correct place.
Text and important images are not too close to the outside edge or the binding edge.
Pictures or backgrounds that should print to the edge continue past the finished page edge.
Pages ordered in black and white do not contain coloured text, links, logos or images.
I checked the final PDF with the Book File Checker and reviewed any warnings.

Need help with margins?

The Book Margins Calculator will help you check how much extra room is needed beside the binding.

Open the Book Margins Calculator Check My Internal PDF

Check your cover

Your cover must be made for the final book size, page count, paper and binding shown on your order.

Do not have a finished cover?

We can design it for you, or you can create a simple cover with our online tool.

Order Cover Design Use the Cover Design Tool

Making your own cover?

Use the correct calculator before starting so the cover and spine are the right size.

Paperback Calculator Hardcover Calculator

Your cover is one complete spread

Back coverSpineFront cover

My back cover, spine and front cover are together in one cover file.
The cover was made using the final book size, page count, paper and binding.
Background colours and pictures continue to the outside bleed edge so there will not be an unwanted white edge after trimming.
Titles, logos and other important items are safely inside the trim and fold areas.
The spine text is centred and reads in the intended direction.
I checked the final cover with the Cover Checker and reviewed any warnings.

Check My Cover

Complete one final check

Make sure you are looking at the same files you are about to upload.

I reviewed the final internal and cover files, not an older version.
I checked the spelling, page order, page numbers, image placement and blank pages.
The pictures look clear at the size they will be printed.
Both files open correctly and are not password protected.
The filenames clearly identify the internal pages and the cover, and I am uploading only the final versions.

Ready to upload?

If you have completed the checklist and both checkers look correct, your files are ready to upload. If you are unsure about a warning or measurement, please contact us before submitting the files.

Check Internal Pages Check Cover