Technical Specifications -- Trade Paperbacks
Perfect Bound
48 Pages (minimum) up to 800 Pages plus Cover
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1. Interior Page Specs
The physical page specifications for the interior pages of your trade paperback are no
different from the interior page specifications for standard-sized comics (or manga-sized comics if you want
a digest-sized trade). Please consult those pages for specifics.
2. Cover Specs
This is where the difference comes in ...
Your front cover file and back cover file will actually follow the same specifications as your interior pages ... however, with perfect binding -- or square-binding for those of you who don't
believe in physical perfection :) -- there is the SPINE to consider.
When you place your order for a trade paperback our pricing calculator asks you for an interior page count (in 2 page increments by the way). After entering that interior page count, we
calculate -- on the fly, mind you -- in both inches and pixels how much space you should allow for the spine. Go try it. We'll wait.
If your page count is under 80 pages then there simply isn't room for any text, copy, logos, or spine images of any kind to be printed on the spine. Your best bet in this instance is
either go with a flat color -- black is always nice -- or simply expand the width of your front (or if you choose back cover) file to include the added width of the spine. Be sure,
however, if you're adding to the cover that extra spine width is added to the left-hand side of the image and not the right. Also -- and this should go without saying, but we'll say it
anyway -- if you go this route be sure that you don't distort your logos and cover text.
If your page count is over 80 pages and you'd like to add a little something to the spine -- maybe print the title of the book or the author's name (or both), maybe add a publisher masthead,
that sort of thing -- then you'll need to include a separate tiff file for the spine.
3. The Spine File
Pay close attention ... there might be a quiz ...
OK, so armed with the above information, you're ready to create a spine file.
You can do this in whatever program you choose, so long as the file you send us is a tiff or -- in this instance at least -- we'll also accept a psd.
The height of your spine file needs to 10.5 inches.
The width should be exact number (in pixels at 300dpi) that we calculated for you on the Pricing and Ordering page.
Still with us? Good. OK, now this part is really important ... Your file MUST be layered. Background images for the spine MUST be on a separate layer than the text, copy, titles,
etc.
Why? Because perfect binding is an art not a science. Yes, we are giving you
technical specifications to which we expect rigorous adherence ... however, we've discovered that when it comes right down to it we may have to jigger things a bit in order to get them to line up
squarely. Hence the need for a layered file.
The objective in this is not for us to have the ability to change around what you did, but rather for us to have the ability to
replicate the look you want if the calculated numbers
should -- for whatever reason -- happen to be a little off.
4. What about Wraparound Covers?
Is it possible?
Of course. Simply send us one seamless tiff (or psd) file that incorporates the back cover PLUS the calculated spine width PLUS the front cover.
And of course ... include anything you want printed on the spine -- text, extra images, publisher masthead, etc. -- on a separate layer in the proper position above the cover art. Got it?
So, let's recap ...
1. Interior page and cover dimensions are the same as for standard-sized comics or manga-sized digests.
2. The spine width is automatically calculated for at the time you place your order.
3. A separate -- layered -- file for the spine must be incluced.
4. Wraparound covers are A-OK ... just follow the guidelines above.
A couple of more things ...
Custom sizes... in trade paperbacks are a bit more complicated than in custom-sized saddle stitched comics. Whether we can print it for you or not is
dependent on multiple factors including the dimensions you want, the quantities you want, and the page count. If you need more information you may contact us via email and ask your question.
And finally ...
It bears repeating that printing and binding trade paperbacks is more labor intensive (and therefore more time-intensive) than printing saddle-stitched comics. Please be aware that your
trade paperback order may take a little longer to produce and ship than would an order of saddle-stitched comics. Thanks.
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Ka-Blam, IndyPlanet, ComicsMonkey, and 01Comics are trademarks of 01Comics, Inc. The Ka-Blam Girl and ComicsMonkey illustrations are by Steven Butler.
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