Formatting Guide

Preparing Your Print Files for PufferPrint

Preparing your print files correctly will help you speed through our pre-print process and ensures you’ll receive a final product that perfectly aligns with your creative vision.

Follow these 6 essential formatting tips to save time and get to print faster!

PufferPrint Dieline Sample

1. Request Dielines

Before you begin formatting your print files, we strongly recommend requesting dielines.

A dieline is a template that shows the exact location of trim lines, fold lines, and bleed areas. Use your PufferPrint-provided dielines as a guide to help you properly position your artwork and text.

By working with a dieline from the start, you can avoid common formatting mistakes that may cause layout issues or require adjustments after submitting your files.

Board Book Printing Glossary

2. Design in Spreads

When it comes to laying out your artwork and formatting your book we always recommend working with spreads rather than individual pages. This makes it easier to see how your book will appear to the reader.

Working with spreads makes it easier to keep track of the bleed areas that you’ll need around the outer edges of your spreads and margin areas around the gutter of your book. And for any double-page spreads, it helps ensure that everything lines up correctly when the book is printed.

PufferPrint: Bleed Margin and Safe Area

3. Include Bleed and Margin

Be sure to include proper bleed and margins in your design.

Extend your artwork beyond the trim line and across the bleed area to prevent any unwanted white borders on the edges of your printed pages. For most books, you’ll need a 3mm (1/8”) bleed on all outer edges.

We also recommend a 6mm (~1/4″) margin between the trim line and any text or critical elements to keep them from being inadvertently cut off.

You’re dielines will show you exactly where to include bleed in your files.

Print Resolution: 300DPI vs 96 DPI Comparison

4. Ensure Images are a Minimum 300 DPI

For sharp and professional-looking prints, all images and graphics should be at least 300 DPI (dots per inch). Lower resolutions can result in blurry or pixelated images.

If you’re using an online design tool that measures in pixels, make sure your dimensions are large enough to maintain this resolution when printed.

CMYK Color Space

5. Convert Files to CMYK

Digital screens use the RGB color space, but printed materials require CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) for accurate color reproduction.

Be sure to convert your files to CMYK before submitting them.

If you send us files in RGB, we will convert them, but some colors may shift during the conversion.

Country of Origin Marking: Printed in China

6. Include “Printed in China”

While you’ll work closely with our US-based team throughout the printing process, your book will be printed and bound overseas. To comply with US trade laws your book must include “Printed in China” or similar phrase denoting the country of origin.

The most common placement for this is on the copyright page, but it can also be added to the back cover or anywhere else in the book as long as it is ‘legible and conspicuous’.

By following these formatting guidelines, you can help ensure a seamless pre-print experience and a final product that meets your expectations.

If you have any questions, we’re here to help! Just schedule a meeting with a PufferPrint Print Specialist.

If you would prefer to have some expert assistance, we also offer a book formatting service that can help take your book from concept to print-ready.

Ready to Print?

When you’re ready to take the next step, share your print-ready files with business@pufferprint.com via Google Drive, Dropbox, or WeTransfer

Our pre-print team will review your files and provide any additional feedback to ensure your project turns out just the way you envisioned.

With PufferPrint, you’re not just printing – you’re bringing your creative vision to life. Let’s make something amazing together!

Read Our Reviews

See what other authors are saying about their choice to work with PufferPrint to print high quality offset-print books.

TrustPilot - 5 Star Review

I worked with PufferPrint to publish my children’s board book and they did a fantastic job. I was really appreciative of their communicativeness and professionalism. I felt like they were truly working WITH me, and were invested in making my book as high of a quality as I wanted it to be. Will be recommending them and hopefully working with them again in the future!

Jes McCutchen

Lil’ Space Explorer

TrustPilot - 5 Star Review

PufferPrint is the absolute best for self publishing. The Adventures of Yaya staff is very happy with the decision we made with going through this company. Customer service is second to none and the quality of our children’s book is beyond what we expected. We are looking forward to a long lasting relationship with Pufferprint because they are simply THE BEST!!

Yaya Dayiti

The Adventures of Yaya

TrustPilot - 5 Star Review

PufferPrint guided me through the book printing process and addressed all of my questions promptly. The book looks amazing. I highly recommend PufferPrint!

Janet Beaulieu

Be Brave Little Pirate

TrustPilot - 5 Star Review

I’m so glad I found PufferPrint and I would highly recommend their services. It was a joy to work with such dedicated, prompt and talented customer service. Such meticulous attention to detail, I’m completely satisfied with my book, and PufferPrint. Don’t hesitate, you won’t be disappointed – thanks PufferPrint!

Denise Mathus

Big Potato and Small Fry

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