This Month's Topic: Proper PDF Setup for Book Publishing

Adobe PDF files are wonderful tools for self publishers and printers alike. Regardless of the platform or source file used to create it, your PDF file will look exactly the same in our prepress department as it does on your computer screen.

However, looking good on screen and reproducing well on press are two different things. In order for your PDF files to create great-looking book covers and text pages, they must be properly set up for high-quality printing. With that in mind, here are a few quick PDF tips to keep in mind.

Embed Your Fonts
The fact that a PDF file “appears” print-ready can be misleading; although you can view every font used in your book, your printer may not. All fonts should be embedded into your PDF file during conversion. Keep in mind that this includes bold and italicized versions as well!

The “Embed All Fonts” option can be selected in the Document Settings wizard that appears when you create a PDF from your native application. The exact procedure differs based on your platform and version of Adobe Acrobat, so contact IGI Publishing for help embedding fonts for your specific application.

Less Compression Means Higher Quality
High-resolution files are often compressed to allow for faster exchange over email. For many uses, such as viewing on a monitor or placement on a website, compressed files won’t exhibit any loss of quality. However, the files you create to print your book should be uncompressed for high-quality, high-resolution printing.

In your Adobe Acrobat print settings menu, choose a conversion profile such as High Quality or Press Quality, which minimizes compression of image files. You can also manually select the minimum and maximum resolution of your files if you choose. Again, IGI can help you set up a conversion profile that results in a PDF file sufficient for offset printing.

The IGI Publishing Solution
At IGI Publishing, we’ve been providing a complete range of solutions to self-publishers for more than 25 years. From book design and production to obtaining copyright protection, let IGI help you produce a professional book that reflects your passion.