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Prepare a CMYK print PDF

Plan: Pro.

This tutorial prepares an interior PDF for a commercial or print-on-demand service. The receiving service's current file specification is authoritative; use its required page size, bleed, crop marks, color mode, and ICC profile.

Before you start​

Prepare:

  • a proofread Scribe Project with the intended documents included in compilation;
  • the print provider's current interior-file specification;
  • the required trim size, margins, binding direction, bleed, and crop-mark settings;
  • the PDF/X standard or color condition required by the provider, if any;
  • Ghostscript, which Scribe uses for desktop CMYK export.

If the service requires a separate cover file, prepare it according to the service's cover template. This tutorial covers the interior PDF only.

1. Configure a Master Page​

  1. In the left sidebar, open Advanced > Master Pages.
  2. Select an existing Master Page, or choose New master page and save it to This Project or Global Library.
  3. In Paper / Margins, set the paper size, inside and outside margins, and Left binding (horizontal) or Right binding (CJK vertical) as needed.
  4. Review Zones and Typography for the body, header, footer, footnotes, fonts, sizes, and line spacing.
  5. In Bleed, configure Enable bleed area and the bleed width only when the receiving service requires them. Set the preview and PDF crop-mark options separately.
  6. Select Apply to current document.

Apply an appropriate Master Page to every compiled document. Front matter, body chapters, and illustration pages can use different Master Pages.

2. Check Print preview​

Switch to Print preview and inspect:

  • page size, margins, binding direction, and page order;
  • chapter starts, headers, footers, footnotes, and page numbers;
  • widows, orphans, and unwanted blank pages;
  • image placement and resolution at the intended print size;
  • bleed and crop marks, when enabled.

If you enable Show bleed area & crop marks in preview, remember that this does not automatically enable Include bleed area & crop marks in PDF export.

3. Export the PDF​

  1. On the Print preview toolbar, choose PDF (Print).
  2. Open Choose export scope and select the required range. For a complete book, this is usually All Compilable.
  3. Under Color Mode, choose:
    • CMYK (commercial print) when a CMYK PDF without an embedded profile is required; or
    • CMYK + ICC Profile when a matching built-in PDF/X preset is required.
  4. Open the PDF/X preset menu. Choose a built-in preset only when its standard and color condition match the receiving service's specification. If no preset matches, do not substitute one without the provider's approval.
  5. Confirm the Master Page's bleed and crop-mark export settings.
  6. Select PDF (Print) and save the file.

4. Inspect the exported file​

Open the PDF in a tool that can inspect print properties. Confirm:

  • final page dimensions, including bleed when used;
  • total page count and page order;
  • embedded fonts and permission to use those fonts in the file;
  • image quality at the intended print size;
  • CMYK color space and, when used, the expected output intent or ICC profile;
  • visible content on the first, last, and several middle pages.

Compare the results with the print provider's current checklist. Correct the source or Master Page, export again, and inspect the new file if any check fails.

5. Submit and proof​

Upload the interior PDF through the provider's normal workflow. Review any automated warnings and the provider's online preview before continuing. When physical proofs are available, order and inspect one before approving the edition for distribution.

If the provider reports an unexpected page size, crop mark, font, image, or color issue, return to the corresponding Master Page or export setting and create a new PDF. Do not assume that acceptance by one service means the same file meets another service's specification.