

You may also use Adobe Acrobat to create even higher quality PDFs, in PDF/X-1a:2001 format, to assure the best results from any print on demand vendor. Creating a PDF is easy in any application, as Word, Pages, and InDesign have built in PDF generation capabilities.

Most print on demand (POD) vendors require a PDF version of your book interior for print publication. Below, I will show you how to take your designed and laid out book and create a PDF with a matching trim size. It doesn’t matter if your book is 5.25”x8”, or 8.5”x11”, everything has to match up properly. So, to re-cap, a 6”x9” printed book, requires the book interior be laid out on a 6”x9” page size in your application, and then you have to make a 6”x9” page sized PDF. That means your manuscript must be placed onto a 6” x 9” page size in your word processor, like Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, or Adobe InDesign.Įach application will let you create a custom page size for the whole document, or you can save some time and buy one of our pre-made Book Design Templates that are already set up with the right page size. For example, if your book is going to be printed in a 6” x 9” format, it has a 6” x 9” trim size.

What’s a trim size? It simply means the physical page size that the book will be printed. The first question you may have it pretty simple. This article will help you overcome this often frustrating limitation with ease. In this quick guide, I will go over the process to create a PDF to trim size using several popular applications.īy default, most PDF applications will create an 8.5”x11”, or A4 sized PDF. I think you’ll find this helpful.įor publication to major print on demand book vendors, you typically have to supply a print-ready PDF version of the book for print, set to the proper trim size for your book project. If this is something that has perplexed you, you’re not alone. Tracy Atkins of Book Design Templates, explains how to create custom trim-sized PDFs for POD publications. You may recognize the name of our guest post author today.
