Morris Press Cookbooks 1
What is Press-Ready?
A digital cover file that requires no typesetting or
alterations and is ready to print is considered
press-ready. The print quality will depend on the
quality of the press-ready material provided.
Hardcopy material of any kind (e.g., black/white
lasers, color printouts, etc.) is not considered
press-ready. If this material is furnished, the cover
will be recreated as closely as possible.
Important: If you cannot provide a press-ready
digital file, but have specific ideas or artwork you
want to use, we can help. Download the Cover
Info Sheet from our web site’s Download Center at
www.morriscookbooks.com. Follow the instruc-
tions and provide photos or artwork you would like
to use. It’s that easy! A
FREE proof will be sent for
your approval.
Note: If you do not provide a press-ready file, but
plan to submit digital photos or artwork, please see
p. 4 as these specifications will apply.
Copyright © 2007
Revised Oct. 2016
Morris Press Cookbooks
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this document, in whole or in part,
may be copied, transferred, or reproduced.
Accepted Software & Material.................................2
Digital File Guidelines
............................................3
Digital Image Specifications
....................................4
Soft Cover Template
..............................................5
Hardback Cover Template
.......................................6
Hardback Liner Template
........................................7
3-Ring Binder (1") Template
....................................8
3-Ring Liner (1") Template
......................................9
A FREE proof will be sent to you when a press-ready
cover and/or liner is submitted. Production will
continue when the proof has been approved.
Changes may result in extra charges. For pricing,
print our Change Order & Corrections Pricing from
our web site’s Download Center.
3212 E. Hwy 30 • P. O. Box 2110
Kearney, NE 68847
800-445-6621 • Fax: 308-234-3969
web: www.morriscookbooks.com
e-mail: cbart@morriscookbooks.com
Press-Ready
COVER
GUIDELINES
Morris Press Cookbooks 2
Accepted Software
We only accept a digital file, created on a Macin-
tosh
®
or PC platform, with no manipulation
required, ready to be printed. The cover and/or
liner must adhere to our template specifications
(soft cover, hardback, or 3-Ring). We accept files
created with the following software:
• QuarkXPress
®
• Adobe InDesign
®
• Adobe Photoshop
®
• Adobe Illustrator
®
Do NOT use or send any Microsoft
®
files such as
Word, Excel, Publisher, or PowerPoint. These
applications are incompatible with our software and
are not meant to be used for professional publica-
tion design.
Digital Files Required
• Provide all native files and any linking and layered
artwork (i.e., EPS or TIFF files) that’s used for your
cover. Do
NOT use any compression methods on
files. See p.3–4 for more details.
• You may send a high resolution PDF file; however,
we often must make adjustments if templates are
not properly followed or files are saved incorrectly.
Because of this, we also require native files.
• Provide all fonts used for your cover. If fonts are
used in art files, convert them to an outline in the
application in which they were created, or provide
those fonts. Missing fonts will cause errors and
delay production.
PRESS-READY
COVER GUIDELINES
Sending Files & Material
• Go to www.morriscookbook.com to upload files.
Go to the Covers tab; click on File Uploader.
Important: Send your order before uploading any
files to us. When we receive your order, you will
receive a confirmation e-mail with a Book Number.
Your Book Number is required to upload any files.
• If you have any problems, you can also send files
on a CD or jump drive. Label it with your organi-
zation name and book title.
• Provide a hardcopy of your cover (and/or liner).
This will only be used to verify content, not color.
Home office color printers and monitors are not
reliable; they are not calibrated to our equipment.
A color proof will be sent to you for approval.
Accepted Software & Material
Hardcopy material of any kind (e.g., black & white or color
printouts, etc.) is NOT press-ready. If this material is sent,
the cover will be recreated as closely as possible.
Morris Press Cookbooks 3
Wording & Font Issues
• Before you begin designing your cover, think
about where your title and subtitle will be placed.
Be sure your wording is easy to read and not
placed on top of strong patterns or busy photos.
• Fonts in art files must be converted to outlines in
the application in which they were created, or you
must furnish those fonts when you send files.
Preparing Digital Files
• Full-color scans or Photoshop
®
files should be
saved as EPS files at 300 ppi. Artwork downloaded
from a web site and some stock photography may
only be 72 ppi, which is not acceptable; it results
in poor printing quality.
• See p. 4 to review resolution which determines
size and quality of photo printing. This also applies
to Photoshop
®
files and any other image files you
may have.
• All files and colors used should be in CMYK mode.
If we receive RGB or spot color files, we will
convert them to CMYK, but it may affect colors.
• A cover to be printed in black ink only should be
saved in grayscale mode.
• Scan and save artwork at the size it will be used
in the document. Avoid enlarging artwork or pho-
tos once inserted into your document – use at
100%. Enlarging files too much results in low
resolution with poor printing quality. See p. 4.
• If an image bleeds, allow additional image in your
Photoshop
®
files for the sides that bleed. See
templates for required bleed area (p. 5–9).
• If you purchase artwork or photos from an
imagery web site, download the largest size. Most
will list the pixel and/or ppi size. See p. 4 to deter-
mine the maximum achievable print size.
Using Black
• When a large area of solid black overprints across
different colors, there will be a noticeable differ-
ence in the density of black between the areas.
Eliminate this variation by creating a process black
formula with Cyan 65%, Magenta 53%, Yellow
51%, and Black 100%. Use this formula for large
black areas on full-color covers. For a two-color
cover using black and one other ink, keep all black
art/text at 100% black only.
• Smaller black areas such as lines, type, or artwork
with black strokes (such as Illustrator
®
files)
should be 100% black and set to overprint.
Line Art & Line Weight
• If you are going to scan line art, scan at 600 dpi
and save as a TIFF. Scan at the size it will be used
in your document. Enlarging files too much creates
low resolution, resulting in poor printing quality.
• If using Illustrator,
®
line strokes on artwork should
have a line weight of at least .5 point, or they may
be too faint and not print well.
Copyrighted Material
• Generally, all artwork and photos are copyrighted
unless you use royalty-free images, you own the
images, or you paid someone to create artwork.
Copyrighted images may include logos, photos or
artwork from other printed sources such as
scrapbook papers, greeting cards, and books, or
material taken from web sites without permission.
• We require a written, signed release from the
copyright owner giving permission for use. Print
our Release Form from our web site’s Download
Center. Complete and sign it; submit the form with
your cover material.
PRESS-READY
COVER GUIDELINES
Digital File Guidelines
}
100% Black
Overprint
creates black
density problems
poor ink coverage
}
Process
Black Formula
improves
black density
C
=65
M
=53
Y =51
K
=100
C
=0
M=0
Y =0
K
=100
➔
We want your cover to look its best. Follow our specifica-
tions to create a high resolution file that results in the best
printing quality. If our specifications are not met, we cannot
be held responsible for poor print quality. Call or e-mail us if
you have any questions.
Bright neon markers are very popular, but the color intensity
cannot be accurately printed. If this material is used and
scanned, printed colors will not match the originals.
BLEED: Definition – When any image or element on a page
touches the edge of the page, extending beyond the trim
edge, leaving no margin it is said to bleed.
1/
8
"
1/
8
"
print area
bleed area to be trimmed
1
/8"
1
/8"
Morris Press Cookbooks 4
PRESS-READY
COVER GUIDELINES
Digital Image Specifications
Maximum Print Size at 300 ppi
width = 2658 pixels ÷ 300 ppi = 8.86"
height = 1815 pixels ÷ 300 ppi = 6.05"
2658 pixels
1815
pixels
Resolution
An image that looks good on your computer’s monitor
may not necessarily print well. Resolution of a digital
file, expressed in pixels per inch (ppi), determines the
printing quality.
Divide each axis by 300 – the result is the largest size
an image can be printed at maximum quality. We will
accept files as low as 150 ppi. Images won’t be as
sharp as 300 ppi, but it is still of acceptable quality. In
that case, divide each axis by 150.
Example of image at 2658 pixels x 1815 pixels:
300 ppi 2658 x 1815 (each axis ÷ 300)
highest quality = 8.86" x 6.05" maximum print size
150 ppi 2658 x 1815 (each axis ÷ 150)
medium quality = 17.72" x 12.1" maximum print size
The “Get Info” pop-up win-
dow on a Mac will display
your photo’s pixels.
If you enlarge a photo, make sure you maintain at least
150 ppi. Images dragged from a web site are usually
at 72 ppi. You cannot resave lower resolution files to
300 ppi.
Note: If you scan line art (black/white artwork with NO
shading), scan at 600 dpi and save as a TIFF.
How many pixels are in my
photo?
Photo-editing software can show how many pixels are
in an image, in length by height. Otherwise, on a Mac,
open the image file in Preview, then use keys
“Command-I” to “Get Info” and a pop-up window will
show the data. See example above. On a PC, right click
on the image file, look at “Properties,” and then the
“Summary” tab.
Camera Settings
Most digital cameras with 4 or more Megapixels, and
even some cell phones, can take photos suitable for
printing. Check your owner’s manual to use the highest
quality settings available. If possible, do not use any
compression settings.
File Format
You may want to modify the brightness, contrast, and
color in a photo-editing program. Morris Press
Cookbooks cannot be responsible for photo quality
since we do not make alterations or correct colors to
images you provide.
Save digital images in one of these formats: TIFF, EPS,
or JPG. Your file should be several megabytes in size
if it’s the correct resolution, although JPG files are gen-
erally smaller.
Morris Press Cookbooks 5
Soft Cover Specifications:
• Document Width = 5
1
/2" (5.5).
• Document Height = 8
1
/2" (8.5).
• Front cover margins are
3
/8" (.375) for the top,
bottom, and right side, and
11
/16" (.6875) for the
left side. See Template 1.
• Back cover margins are
3
/8" (.375) for the top,
bottom, and left side, and
11
/16" (.6875) for the
right side. See Template 1B.
• The wider margin of
11
/16" is needed to allow for
the plastic comb or coil binding punch.
PRESS-READY
COVER GUIDELINES
Template 1
Template 1B
Key
white =
i
mage area
light gray =
margin area
dark gray =
bleed area
4
7
/1
6
"
7
3
/4"
Back Cover
Image Area
Type and artwork not in-
tended to bleed must stay
in white area.
3
/8"
3
/8"
5
1
/2"
8
1
/2"
4
7
/16"
7
3
/4"
Front Cover
Image Area
Type and artwork not in-
tended to bleed must stay
in white area.
3
/8"
3
/8"
5
1
/2"
8
1
/2"
11
/16"
Extend bleed
1
/8" beyond
document
edge on all
sides
• The white areas on Templates 1 and 1B are the
image areas. Do not extend type or artwork
beyond these areas unless it is intended to bleed.
Center text and artwork within the image areas,
not the document edges.
• If color or artwork bleeds, extend it into the margin
areas (light gray area) and
1
/8" (.125) beyond the
edge of the document on all four sides (darker
gray area). The
1
/8" bleed will be trimmed off.
• The finished book size is 5
1
/2" x 8
1
/2".
Soft Cover Template
with Plastic Comb or Coil Binding
A printed back cover is optional and
incurs an extra charge. Back covers will
be white unless you order a printed back
cover. See our Cookbook Publishing
Guide or web site for pricing.
For gold or silver foil stamping on your
cover, please contact us for instructions at
800-445-6621.
Morris Press Cookbooks 6
Hardback Specifications:
• Document Width = 7
1
/2" (7.5).
• Document Height = 10
1
/4" (10.25).
• Within the document, make
3
/4" (.75) bleeds on all
sides of the front and back covers. Note that the
bleed area is within the document. This area is
needed even if the cover does not bleed. It will
wrap around the hardback board and partially ap-
pear on the inside cover.
• From the
3
/4" bleeds, set front cover margins that
are
3
/8" (.375) for the top, bottom, and right side,
and
11
/16"(.6875) for the left side. See Template 2.
PRESS-READY
COVER GUIDELINES
Hardback Cover Template
with Plastic Comb Binding
Key
white =
image area
light gray =
m
argin area
d
ark gray =
bleed area
Template 2
Template 2B
3
/4"
3
/4"
3
/4"
3
/4"
Front Cover
Image Area
Type and artwork not in-
tended to bleed must stay
in white area.
4
15
/16"
8"
11
/16"
3
/8"
3
/8"
7
1
/2"
10
1
/4"
3
/4"
3
/4"
3
/4"
3
/4"
Back Cover
Image Area
Type and artwork not in-
tended to bleed must stay
in white area.
4
15
/16"
8"
11
/16"
3
/8"
3
/8"
7
1
/2"
10
1
/4"
If color or
artwork
bleeds, it
must fill the
3
/4" bleed
area on all
four sides.
• From the
3
/4" bleeds, set back cover margins at
3
/8" (.375) for the top, bottom, and left side, and
11
/16" (.6875) for the right side. See Template 2B.
• The wider margin of
11
/16" is needed for the plastic
comb binding punch.
• The white areas on Templates 2 and 2B are the
image areas. Do not extend type or artwork be-
yond these areas unless it is intended to bleed.
Center text and artwork within the image areas,
not the document edges.
• If color or artwork bleeds, it must extend into the
margin areas and also fill the
3
/4" bleed areas (light
gray and dark gray area). If it does not bleed, leave
both areas white.
• The finished book size is 6" x 8
3
/4".
A printed back cover is optional and in-
curs an extra charge. Back covers will be
white unless you order a printed back
cover. See our Cookbook Publishing
Guide or web site for pricing.
For gold or silver foil stamping on your
cover, please contact us for instructions at
800-445-6621.
Morris Press Cookbooks 7
Hardback Liner Specs:
Standard liners for hardback covers are white or
cream (not printed). One-color, multi-color, and full-
color printed liners are available for an extra charge.
Follow these guidelines:
• Document Width = 5
3
/8" (5.375)
• Document Height = 8
3
/8" (8.375).
• Set margins at
3
/8" (.375) for all sides. Your image
area (white area on template) will be 4
5
/8" x 7
5
/8"
(4.625 x 7.625). See Template 3.
• Center text and artwork within the image area, not
the document edges. Do not extend type or
artwork beyond the image area unless it bleeds.
• If color or artwork bleeds, extend it into the margin
area and
1
/8" (.125) beyond the document on all
sides. The
1
/8" bleed area will be trimmed off.
• The finished size for each liner is 5
3
/8" x 8
3
/8".
PRESS-READY
COVER GUIDELINES
Hardback Liner Template
A hardback cookbook has 2 liners – one for the inside front
cover and one for the inside back cover. Use Template 3
for each liner.
We do not recommend custom liners with solid color or
dense ink coverage. This can result in unwanted ink transfer,
rubbing onto adjacent pages.
Key
white =
image area
light gray =
margin area
dark gray =
bleed area
Template 3
If color or artwork bleeds,
extend bleed
1
/8" beyond
document on all 4 sides.
Hardback Liner
Image Area
Type and artwork not in-
tended to bleed must stay
in white area.
4
5
/8"
7
5
/8"
3
/8"
3
/8"
5
3
/8"
8
3
/8"
Template is the same
for both inside front and
inside back cover liners.
Morris Press Cookbooks 8
PRESS-READY
COVER GUIDELINES
3-Ring Binder (1”) Template
Custom front cover ink charges include front
cover and spine printing. A printed back cover
is optional and incurs an extra charge. Back
covers will be white unless you order a printed
back cover. See our Cookbook Publishing Guide
or web site for pricing.
For gold or silver foil stamping on your cover,
please contact us for details at 800-445-6621.
• For spine printing, keep wording centered in the
white spine margin area shown (1” wide x 7
1
/8"
tall). If you exceed this area, wording will be too
close to the fold or into the rivets of the 3-Ring.
Do
NOT use the entire 1
3
/4" area for wording.
Face spine wording in the direction shown.
• If the book exceeds 272 pages, a 1
1
/2" ring binder
will be required. Call for more details.
• The finished book size is 6
7
/8" x 9
1
/4".
Template 4
3-Ring Binder Specs:
• Document Width = 17". Front and back covers will
each measure 7
5
/8" (7.625) wide and there is a
1
3
/4" (1.75) spine between them.
• Document Height = 10
3
/4" (10.75).
• Within the document, make
3
/4" (.75) bleeds on all
sides of the document. Note that the bleed area is
within the document. This area is needed even if
the cover does not bleed. It will wrap around the
board and partially appear on the inside cover.
• From the
3
/4" bleed areas, set margins for front and
back covers that are
3
/8" (.375) from the top,
bottom, outside edge, and inside edge of the spine.
• If color or artwork bleeds, extend it into the margin
areas and also fill the
3
/4" bleed area (light gray and
dark gray areas). If it does not bleed, leave both
areas white.
• The white areas on Template 4 are the image
areas. Do not extend type or artwork beyond these
areas unless it is intended to bleed. Center text and
artwork within the image areas.
Key
w
hite =
image area
l
ight gray =
margin area
d
ark gray =
bleed area
Morris Press Cookbooks 9
3-Ring Liner Specs:
Standard liners for 3-Ring covers are white or cream
(not printed). One-color, multi-color, and full-color
printed liners are available for an extra charge.
Follow these guidelines:
• Document Width = 15". The front and back liner
areas each measure 6
9
/16" (6.5625) and there is
a 1
7
/8" (1.875) spine area.
• Document Height = 8
3
/4" (8.75).
• Set image areas for the front and back liners with
margins
3
/8" (.375) from the top, bottom, outside
edge, and edge of the spine.
• The white areas on Template 5 are the image
areas. Do not extend type or artwork beyond these
areas unless it is intended to bleed. Center text
and artwork within the image areas, not the
document edges.
• If color or artwork bleeds, extend it into the
margin areas (including spine area) and
1
/8" (.125)
beyond the edge of the document on all sides (into
the dark gray area). The
1
/8" bleed area will be
trimmed off.
• The finished liner size is 15" x 8
3
/4".
PRESS-READY
COVER GUIDELINES
3-Ring Liner (1”) Template
Key
5
1
3
/16"
8"
5
1
3
/16"
8"
8
3
/4"
Spine
1
7
/8"
15"
Artwork or
color may
continue
through
this area.
Extend bleed
1
/8" beyond
document edge on all sides
3
/8" margin area
on all four sides of
each image area
Front Cover Liner
Image Area
Type and artwork not
intended to bleed
must stay in white area.
Back Cover Liner
Image Area
Type and artwork not
intended to bleed
must stay in white area.
3
/8"
We do not recommend custom liners with solid color or
dense ink coverage. This can result in unwanted ink transfer,
rubbing onto adjacent pages.
Template 5
white =
image area
light gray =
margin area
dark gray =
bleed area