Books.
Cover to last page.
Cover, typesetting and print files for KDP, IngramSpark or an offset press, and an EPUB for Kindle and the other stores.
Cover, interior, files.
The price covers the cover and a text-only interior of up to 120 pages, in one format, with two revision rounds on the cover and one on the interior. Everything else is quoted, and listed in the written scope before design starts.
One price. Then the page count.
The price covers a text-only book of up to 120 pages in one format. Longer manuscripts, figures and a second format are quoted in writing.
Three covers. Then every page.
Four steps in a fixed order. The dates depend on the length of the manuscript and are set in the scope.
Manuscript and market brief
The manuscript's structure, the genre's conventions, the reader and the distribution plan.
Cover directions
Three covers, each argued from what sells in the category. One is chosen and finished.
Interior
Type, chapter structure, margins and image placement, set across the full manuscript.
Platform files
Exports for KDP, IngramSpark or an offset printer, and the EPUB, checked against each platform's requirements.
Checked against the platform. Before upload.
Spine width, trim size, bleed and fonts are where print files are turned back.
Three covers to choose from
Three directions are shown, each with its reasoning, before one is finished.
Files checked before delivery
Print files are checked against the platform's specification, and the EPUB in Kindle Previewer.
Files corrected
A file a platform or printer sends back for a technical fault is corrected as part of the job.
A file for each channel
KDP, IngramSpark and offset each get their own export, so one channel's settings never reach another.
Scope in writing
Page count, trim size, formats and channels are listed before work starts. A change is priced before it is made.
Source files are yours
The packaged InDesign files are handed over, for a second edition or a new format.
For a finished manuscript. Not a draft.
If the second list sounds closer, start there, or ask for a written quote.
Book design fits
- 01A founder or executive with a book
A manuscript that has to stand beside the company, the talks and the website.
- 02A coach or practitioner
A practical guide, a workbook or a framework, with figures and exercises set properly.
- 03A brand making a publication
A coffee table book, a heritage collection or an annual lookbook.
- 04A self-publishing author
A Word manuscript headed for KDP or IngramSpark, in print and on Kindle.
Look elsewhere
- 01The manuscript is still being written or edited
Design starts from final text. Editing and proofreading come first, and are not part of this service.
- 02ISBN, distribution and store listings
These are referred to a self-publishing consultant. This service ends at accepted files.
- 03A product catalogue or a brochure
A multi-page sales brochure or catalogue is a separate brief, quoted in writing on request.
Trim, spine, fonts. To the millimetre.
Each one is checkable in the files, or in the platform's own previewer.
Trim size and bleed
Pages at the platform's exact trim size. Full-bleed covers and pages carry the bleed it asks for, 0.125 in on KDP.
Spine from the final page count
Width calculated with the platform's calculator for the chosen paper, after the interior is locked.
Fonts embedded
Every font embedded in the print PDF. Images at 300 PPI at printed size.
No widows or orphans
No single line stranded at the top or foot of a page, checked page by page.
EPUB3, reflowable
Semantic markup, a linked table of contents, language metadata and alt text on every image.
Previewed before delivery
The EPUB is opened in Kindle Previewer across phone, tablet and e-reader views.
What authors ask before the cover.
The manuscript is done.
Now the book.
A 30-minute call about the manuscript and where it will be sold. A written scope after it.