Files must be print-ready PDF files.

The most reliable method we have found for creating a PDF for our use is to create a PostScript file from your application, and “distilling” it using Acrobat Distiller Professional 6 or newer.

We realize that many people do not have the complete version of Acrobat (which is a little pricey) so we are providing a download of a great new FREE converter called doPDF. Simply click here to download doPDF and select 'RUN' when prompted. This installs a virtual printer named 'doPDF' on your computer. With it, you'll be able to 'File > Print ...' to create a PDF from any Windows application. (If you've got a Mac, PDF conversion is built right into your system.)

To create a PDF file using 'doPDF', simply open your file, select 'File > Print ...' and choose 'doPDF' as your printer. The first time you use doPDF, click on the 'Preferences' button and change 'Graphic Resolution' to 600 dpi (near the bottom right of the window.) Setup your custom page size. Hit 'OK' and your Preferences are all set. Hit 'Print', make sure 'Embed fonts' is turned ON, and it will create a PDF.
Be sure to check your PDF file CAREFULLY before sending it to us for printing.

Below are instructions for creating a PostScript file from various applications:

This is a very important ( yet often overlooked) step in the process. Please open and review your newly created PDF to insure that all elements are present and properly represented in your PDF prior to submitting it for printing. Incomplete or incorrect digital files will put your project behind schedule and could add additional charges.
Digital files may be uploaded via our web site or sent to KDP on a CD, DVD or external storage device. Files in excess of 100 megabytes require submission via CD, DVD or external storage device. Flash drives will be returned.

Keystone recommends and supports submission of PDF files created with Adobe Acrobat® “Distiller” program.

If you do not have the full version of Acrobat you can convert your manuscript for free by visiting the Adobe Web site.

Other freeware PDF creators:
http://www.cutepdf.com/
http://www.pdf995.com/download.html
http://www.dopdf.com/download.php

A few basic PDF Do's and Don'ts

• Embed all fonts and graphics
• Flatten Photoshop files (Images must be 300 ppi)
• Convert RGB to CMYK
• Print a postscript file and use Acrobat Distiller
• Do not use PDF writer
• Do not use security

File formats accepted...

Black & White bookblocks (listed in order of preference)
1. Adobe PDF (.pdf) using the default setting of “PDF/X-1a:2001
2. Adobe PDF (.pdf)
3. Adobe Postscript (.ps)
4. Generic PDF such as 'doPDF' which you can download here.
To create a PDF file, simply open your file, select 'File > Print ...' and choose 'doPDF' as your printer. The first time you use doPDF, hit the 'Preferences' button and change 'Graphic Resolution' to 600 dpi (near the bottom right of the window.) Setup your page size. Hit 'OK' and your Preferences are all set. Hit 'Print', make sure 'Embed fonts' is turned ON, and it will create a PDF.
Be sure to check your PDF file CAREFULLY before sending it to us for printing.

Color Covers... ...

1. Adobe PDF (.pdf) using the default setting of “PDF/X-1a:2001
2. Adobe Postscript (.ps)
3. PhotoShop (.psd)
4. .tiff file
5. .eps file

See CMYK for color tips.

• If bookblock is created as a Postscript (.ps) file, files should be created with a generic Adobe Postscript driver, and must be saved at a 600dpi resolution.
• If bookblock is created as a Postscript (.ps) file, files must be created using standard desktop publishing software to produce an Adobe PostScript Level 2 or Level 3 output file (using the setting “print to file”).
• Continuous tone photographs and artwork should be 8-bit grayscale, at 300ppi. Line art should be 1-bit black and white at 600dpi.
• All fonts should be embedded. PDF font subset should be set at 100%.
• For best results it is recommended that you provide a minimum .50” margin on all four sides of your text.
• Interior text should be submitted as grayscale only (e.g. do not submit as CMYK or RGB).
• Text files must be submitted as a single PDF file, pages in numerical order (no printer spreads, i.e. page spreads).
• Files in excess of 100 megabytes require submission via CD, DVD or external storage device. Flash drives will be returned.
• PDF files should be centered (left-to-right and top-to-bottom), output resolution should be set to 600dpi. Keystone will not scale a text file.

1. All Images or artwork must be submitted in CMYK format at a 300ppi resolution.
2. All fonts should include screen and printer fonts, even the most common fonts.
3. When you lay out the cover of a book in a desktop application, make sure that the front and back covers, as well as the spine are designed as one contiguous page.
   
4. White Space:  This .25-inch white space allows us to place trim, registration and color identification marks, which will be used during printing.

   Bleed: Any background color or photograph that extends to the edge of the page after trimming is called a bleed. To ensure ink coverage to the bleed edge, the image or background color must extend .25 inch beyond the trim. This area will be trimmed away after printing. Neither trim nor registration marks should be placed inside the bleed area.

   Spine Width: To determine the book's spine size, divide the number of pages by the paper's thickness (measured in "pages per inch" or ppi). Our 50# paper is 526 ppi, our 60# paper is 435 ppi and our 70# is 384 ppi. (Example: 256 page book printed on 50# would be 256 ÷ 526 = 0.48" spine.) For “safety”, provide at least .0625” tolerance within the text on the spine. There can be no printing on a spine that is less than .25" (1/4). Click here to use our Calculation Form.

5. Color Breaks on the Spine: This involves a spine whose color is different from the color used on the front or back cover. We call this a "color break." Because the bulking of paper can vary slightly, it is inadvisable to create a color break between the spine and both the front and back covers. It is better to have only one color break, either on the front or the back.
   Another solution is to extend the spine color over onto the front and/or back cover by about 1/4 inch.

6. For best results text should be at least 0.25” from trim edges of the book.
7. If scanning to create the digital file, scan all images at 300ppi CMYK.
8. Black elements should NOT be built in “Registration” black. These elements should be built out of “Rich” black. For best results, we recommend the CMYK values of 60% Cyan, 40% Magenta, 40% Yellow, and 100% Black. CMYK total value should not exceed 240%.
9. The barcode should be built in 100% Black only.

Frequently Asked Questions