|
FAQ - Design |
Do you provide design services?
What design program is recommended for designing an AsukaBook?
Can I use other programs such as Quark or InDesign to create my album layout?
Do you provide colour correction and retouching services?
Can I order an AsukaBook by sending single digital images or film to you?
What is the proper image size for the layouts?
Why are the templates required?
Why are the templates blank?
What do the Photoshop guidelines on the blank templates represent?
Will the gray rectangle showing on the back cover and last page of my PDF be printed on the final book?
How many images can I place on each page/side?
Can I add text as part of the design?
What is the font and size of the Hot Stamp Text?
Do I have to place an image on the cover?
Do I have to convert my files to CMYK before submitting?
How do I resize my book layout from one size to another?
When saving images in JPEG format, which degree of compression should be used?
Are there any restrictions on what can be printed?
|
| |
Do you provide design services?
AsukaBook and A Perfect Design have partnered to offer a turnkey album solution. Please contact A Perfect Design on (0400 884 080) for more detailed information.
|
|
What design program is recommended for designing an AsukaBook?
Adobe PhotoshopR may be used to design an AsukaBook.
|
| |
Can I use other programs such as Quark or InDesign to create my album layout?
Yes, but the design must be exported as Jpegs and then laid out within our own templates. Please, only attempt this if your are extremely talented in both the page layout applications AND Photoshop.
Layout and design must otherwise be done completely with blank templates in PhotoshopR saved as JPEGs with the predetermined document size and resolution provided in the templates. This is the only format File Checker will accept and to place an order for production, the PDF book design to be ordered must be created by File Checker.
|
| |
Do you provide colour correction and retouching services?
We do not retouch or colour correct any of the files provided. It is your responsibility to ensure that all corrections and adjustments to your images have been completed before designing and ordering. We print exactly what is submitted. For all your post-production image editing needs we recommend A Perfect Design.
|
| |
Can I order an AsukaBook by sending single digital images or film to you?
Currently, we only accept completely designed files for orders. However, our partner company, A Perfect Design, can design and order a book for you using your images and input.
|
| |
What is the proper image size for the layouts?
The cover and inside pages have predetermined resolution and canvas size, though they are not the exact size of the book as we must allow space for the gutter area and trim lines around the edges. Please do not change the resolution or canvas size, as this will cause problems with File Checker processing your files. Simply place your images onto the blank templates and design your book.
|
| |
Why are the templates required?
The templates have the correct dimensions, resolution and colour space already applied. You only have to focus on the layout and design.
|
|
Why are the templates blank?
The blank templates allow absolute creative freedom when designing. You can add as many images, colour blocks and other graphic elements and enhancements to the layout. If you would prefer to use layout templates, we recommend designing your book with pre-designed templates available from www.asuka-templates.com
|
| |
What do the Photoshop guidelines on the blank templates represent?
Turning Guides On:
View > Show > Guides or Command + ; (semicolon)
Cover
- The outer guidelines represent the area where the cover will be folded over the cover.
- The center guidelines represent the spine of the book.
Pages
- The outer guidelines represent the area where the pages will be trimmed.
- The center guidelines represent the center or gutter of the book.
Tip: Place your image at least 1/4 inch away from the trim lines to avoid any undesired trimming.
Tip: Place image to the edge of the canvas to ensure a "Full Bleed".
Tip: Place important parts of an image (such as a face) or text away from the centerline to ensure nothing will be unintentionally lost in the gutter.
Please click HERE for more layout and design tips.
|
|
Will the gray rectangle showing on the back cover and last page of my PDF be printed on the final book?
There will be a small barcode where that place marker is located, but in the final book it is not as prominent as what you see in the template. Be sure to delete that layer before saving the jpg. The barcode indicator boxes will appear at actual size in the PDF file. Please review this file before uploading to be sure it is not covering any important information, as this is where it will print on your final book.
|
| |
How many images can I place on each page/side?
You may place as many images as you would like.
|
|
Can I add text as part of the design?
You may add text anywhere on the design. Keep in mind the guidelines, gutters and bar code areas, as any text and image information placed there will be lost.
|
| |
What is the font and size of the Hot Stamp Text?
The font type is Skia (Mac OS standard font). Up to 30 characters may be used (including spaces).
The approximate font size varies for each size of book. For example, a 10x10 is 24pt, an 8x8 is 18pt, a 7x7 is 16 pt, a 5x5 is 13 pt, etc. |
| |
Do I have to place an image on the cover?
No. Once you have selected your book size, including the number of pages, open up template file 0000.psd, (be sure to View/Show/Guides). You can have an image wrap around to the back, a single image or multiple images on the front and/or the back. You may also leave it blank (the colour of your canvas will be the printed colour), add text, or even add text on the spine... The design is totally up to you.
|
|
Do I have to convert my files to CMYK before submitting?
No. Submit your files in either Adobe RGB or sRGB. The production centre will convert the files to CMYK for you.
|
|
How do I resize my book layout from one size to another?
You don't have to redesign the entire book into the smaller templates. In PhotoshopR, you may simply drag and drop or use the "place" option (under the “file” menu) to move your layouts into the smaller template. Be sure to review your file for bleeds and gutter concerns once the design has been transferred to new template sizes. |
|
When saving images in JPEG format, which degree of compression should be used?
We recommend the image quality be set to 11(Maximum) with “Baseline Optimized”.
|
| |
Are there any restrictions on what can be printed?
AsukaBook requires that you have copyright permission for all images included in your order. Additionally, your files will not be sent into production if they contain illegal and/or immoral content, or if the subject may be offensive to the public. We are also unable to print books with exposed genitalia.
|
