Saddle-Stitched Booklet Guidelines

• Our preferred file type is a high resolution PDF. We do not accept JPG, PNG, or GIF files.

• Your document page size should be set to the size of a single page. This is crucial for proper page imposition. For example, for a half-size booklet, your page size should be set to 8.5″ x 5.5″. You do not want a small page in the middle of an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet.

• All print-ready images should be 300dpi. Less than that may severely affect image quality.

• All color images should be set to CMYK. If you send us RGB images, they will be automatically converted to CMYK, and there may be a color shift. For more information on RGB vs. CMYK, please see our Placing an Order FAQ.

• If your document has a bleed, it must extend the finished size by 0.125″ on the Top, Bottom, and Outside edges only. The inside bleed margin should be set to 0. This is where the document will be folded.If you do not know what a bleed is, please see our What Are Bleeds page.

• Your page count must be divisible by 4. Some common page counts are 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 48. We recommend making a physical mock-up of your booklet, starting with the front cover, so you can easily see where pages will fall. If your page count is not divisible by 4, we will have to add blank pages to make the page count work out.

• All text must be within 0.25″ from the edge of the sheet. Please note, this is measured from the edge of the finished size, not the bleed margin.

• Send all files as single consecutive pages with no printers’ marks whatsoever, and no imposition. Please include your bleed margin.

• If sending Adobe InDesign files, use the File -> Package function to collect all of the fonts and images. If you do not do this, your project will not open properly on our computer. If you are using Adobe Typekit fonts, they will not package but should automatically be added to our software when the document is opened.