Book cover file preflight checklist before upload

A pre-upload checklist for comparing a calculated spine width with exported cover dimensions, bleed, folds, and safe areas.

Open the book spine width calculator

Compare the exported file to the template

The exported cover should match the full spread width and height expected by the printer template. A small mismatch can move the spine, barcode area, or trim guides enough to cause a rejected upload or a poor proof.

• Check exported width and height, not only the artboard size.
• Confirm the spine panel width against the generated template.
• Verify that the barcode or back-cover box is not covered by artwork.

Check folds and safe areas

Spine folds and trim guides are where small changes become visible. Keep text, logos, and important decoration away from folds until the template is final.

• Keep spine text centered within the final spine panel.
• Leave margin between text and the spine folds.
• Use the printer's safe-area guides for title, author name, and barcode placement.

Keep the assumptions with the file

A short cover brief prevents confusion when a designer, formatter, or print platform asks why the cover has a particular spread size.

• Record page count, paper thickness, trim size, bleed, and binding.
• Save the calculator output with the editable cover file.
• Repeat the preflight after any interior PDF revision.

Preflight checks

Worked examples