Cover Questions/Concerns
by Annie Huddleston
QUESTION
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Do you have a preference over receiving the cover/illustrations by CD or as a file? Is there a difference in clarity when printing between the two?
How exactly do you send the cover file and illustrations? I know they need to be at least 300 dpi and uncompressed. What size do you want the pictures?--anything else relevant, please let me know.
ANSWER
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The biggest determining factor should be the file size. If the cover file is over 20MB, it would be best to drop it on a CD. There won't be a difference in print quality, so there are no concerns there.
The size depends on the trim size you want for your book. Internal graphics and illustrations can be set exactly to page size (such as 6X9), but the cover file should have at least .25" extra space around all four sides. If you want the cover image to bleed (run off) the edges, please make sure it extends to that extra .25" all around. As far as other specs: please make sure the image is in CMYK and at 300 dpi. If you compose the cover in Photoshop, feel free to send the Photoshop file (preferably unlayered).