Guidelines for Cover Designers

There are certain variables that can affect components during production and though on their own they can be small, they can combine to affect the final cover design on the trimmed book. It is useful therefore to follow some basic guidelines:

• Type and non-bleeding images such as logos, flashes etc., should be withdrawn 4mm from book trims.
  
• Spine bulks of less than 5mm should contain no type on the spine.
  
• Spine type on thin books between 5 and 10mm should be 2mm smaller in height than the text bulk. This will help to avoid wraparound type when bound.
  
• Logos and type for wider spines should be sized to give 2mm minimum space either side of the image. This should be increased to 3mm on spines exceeding 30mm.
  
• It is worth noting that spines on sewn books can be between 1mm and 2mm larger than their unsewn equivalents (refer to production if unsure).
  
• Avoid fine serif type reversing from four colours.
  
• Fine reversed rules or keylines in solid colour should be minimum of 0.25mm in thickness.
  
• Kiss fit images need to be spread/choked to give better fit in final printing.
  
• Large panels of black solids will generally have a 50% tint of cyan beneath to provide best density, underlying colours should not total more than 120%.
  
• Avoid high percentage tints printing within large areas of solid colour. 60-70% tint will give better definition.
  
• Do not reverse out foil blocking areas from the print image (unless a drop shadow effect is required). This will assist blocking register.
  
• If fifth colour match is not 'crucial' it is worth considering producing this from four colours.
  
• Be aware that Pantone colours are not always accurately matched by four colour process.
  
• Be aware that Pantone colours starting with a 'C' are for coated paper, pantones starting with a 'U' are for uncoated papers.
  
• Printing black from four process colours should be avoided where possible, especially on spines or trim edges.
  
• Matt/silk lamination over large areas of dark colours is prone to showing a degree of scuffing and marking during the book production process.

Recommendations for printing over foil

• Avoid areas with tight fit between blocking and printing.
  
• Avoid small areas of foiling and over-printing as there is an indentation in sheet at foiling stage which is then difficult to over-print.
  
• Sheet distortion takes place in both processes so fit can vary between foiling and over-printing.
  
• Always laminate job to ensure ink doesn't scratch off foil.