Book Cover File Requirements

Think of your cover like a jacket made to wrap around the pages of your book with a perfect fit. A perfect fit is based not only on the trim size of your book but also the number of pages in your interior and the weight of your interior stock.

Cover Requirements Checklist

Binding:

Your file is saved as a PDF.
Your back cover, spine and front cover are included as one file.
Your PDF size matches your book's trim size.
You have thoroughly reviewed your file for errors.
Your background extends .125" past the trim area.
Your spine text is centered and has a 1/16" margin on both sides.
Your spine has been correctly sized using our spine width calculator (optional).
You used our cover template generator (optional).

Download PDF Instructions

How to Save Your Book's Cover File for Printing

The two most common programs for preparing a book cover are Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. The file you make from this software is called a native file. Once you have finished your cover preparation in the native file, you will need to save it as a PDF (Portable Document File). A PDF will lock everything in place so no movement or changes occur when the file is sent to the printer.

Premium Addon Set Up Instructions

Gorham Printing offers premium features that give authors and publishers a way to elevate their projects far beyond standard production. These enhancements add depth, texture, and visual impact, turning a simple cover into a tactile experience. Some of our most popular choices include:

3D Spot UV
Interior Foldouts

Custom Foil Stamp Colors
Ribbon Bookmarks

With 3D Spot UV, raised gloss highlights can emphasize titles, patterns, or artwork, creating a luxurious finish that signals quality before a reader even opens the book. Paired with other premium options, such as foil stamping or specialty papers, these features help transform a book into a polished, professional product that leaves a lasting impression.

Additional Resources

Still have questions? We've been helping authors print their books for over fifty years. Whether you have questions about designing your own book or need help getting a quote, our team of print experts are only a call or email away. Check out these articles in our self-publishing resource center to get started.