PO BOX 505, Wyandotte, OK 74370, USA
Phone 01-918-542-4148
Phone Hours: 9-3 CT/M-Th | Emails generally answered within one working day
Click here for
Hard Cover File Information
Color
Soft
Cover Design
Click here for
Hard Binding Color Design Information
Please be patient as photos load.
Cover art files can be submitted in Adobe Photoshop formats or PDF. All cover layouts should be high resolution - preferably 300-600 dpi or better. The size of the book, and the interior margins will determine the best overall size.
If
there is no bleed on the
cover layout, the layout size should exactly reflect the
size of the book. For instance a 6x9" book with enough pages
to require a 1" margin would produce a cover file of 13x9".
The actual size of the published book would be slightly
smaller because after the book is produced, it is trimmed
top, bottom and binding margin to achieve a clean look.
If your layout contains elements that bleed off the edge of the layout, your measurements should be no more than .25" larger than the book finish size - 13.25x9.25" for a finished 6x9x1" (wide x tall x thick). This is to accommodate any register error before trim, as well as insure no white trim around edge of cover.
Our
office staff will work with you - many times at no extra charge on basic cover
(one color or b/w) design.
If the design process is looking to become a protracted process, fees can be as
low as $25.00 for graphic design. If contract design is needed, Gregath fees are
$20.00 an hour/$25.00 minimum.
The design
process begins when the author provides the basis for the cover. This can be an
itemized list, or as little as text to include and general colors of feeling
that should be evoked. The more latitude the staff has, the more likely that all
graphic design will be no charge.
Once cover idea(s) are produced, a low resolution sample is placed online and a link sent to the author for review - such as www.gregathcompany.com/author/CVR/harris or www.gregathcompany.com/author/CVR/eagan. Staff and author continue to work toward a finalized cover.
Some Settings/Layout/Format Information
Color cover art files can be submitted in a variety of ways.
For most bindings, we suggest either a single file that
contains the entire cover (back, spine, and front), or for component files (back, spine, front, background-if a bleed
is needed). Many softbound options do not have a spine
component. Because of this, bindings such as side stitch and comb will need
individual files for
front and back cover only. If supplying full file(s) that no additional work is needed on, there
will be no additional fees associated with the cover, provided you are
publishing at least 25-75 quantity. If publishing fewer than 25-75, a set up charge
will apply. If supplying component files, or a list on instructions, the
minimum service fee is $25.00, and additional hours are billed at $20.00, per.
If attempting
your own graphic design, please keep this information in mind:
With soft bindings, please choose either RGB or CMYK for your file(s) and stick to that format throughout the design process. If you have an element that is the other format you want to use, print out a copy "as is", then convert it and print out a second copy before you use it. Conversion between these formats sometimes results in a visible difference in color. You should be informed as you layout.
We recommend that no part of your cover design ever start (or convert) to something below 300 dpi. If you've ever seen soft focus covers, or ones that looked like the were FAXed, it is generally because of low dpi in the layout process.
If you want to use a low resolution graphic, don't enlarge it at all, and be sue you are happy with a print out of the cover before submitting it. Some extremely large files (14x18", etc.) in low resolution, make very nice small format cover additions (4x8", etc.).
Be careful if scaling (enlarging or reducing) graphics. You can have a very high quality graphic, but if you enlarge it 800% to fit your idea of the cover, it will generally loose focus and/or pixilated. The lower the quality, the less you can enlarge a graphic. As a rule, reduction is not a quality issue, unless it is shrunk so small that little or no detail is visible. Keep in mind, if using a photo quality, or other high quality computer printer to view your graphic print outs that production machines do not always match or exceed this high end, consumer quality - unless specifically commissioned.
Soft cover flat(s)
can be mailed for approval before covers are put into production. The charge for
this $40.00, if publishing quantities lower than 200. If changes are needed on
the submitted artwork, that service will be charged accordingly.
Graphic files that are layered should be sent in their native format, as well as being flattened into a single layer, for original artwork (two separate files). If sending PDF, be sure that the conversion "locks down" all fonts.
Cover register
runs 95-99%. Because of this, many collage-type covers designed by authors don't
always come out as desired. We suggest that your background continue throughout
all cover elements, leaving at the very least .25" between your outside
photos/graphics and the "edge" of the cover. Otherwise, you could end up with
photos/graphics being cut off the edge of your cover, and/or wrapping onto the edge of
your spine.
If the background of the cover is does not "extend past" the edge of the cover, softbound graphic can be exact size. if the background extends, up to .25" overlap can be provided - this will be trimmed off.
S
elect Softbound
Method/Style Selections
Currently, the most popular is the perfect bound or wrap around cover. Size suggestion: no more than 300 pages.
Plastic comb binding is a lay flat option.
Plastic (spiral) coil binding is a lay flat option - opening a full 360 degrees with ease.
For books under 80 pages, there is the wire saddle stitch binding. A hardcopy of our tips booklet or catalog serve as examples of saddle stitch work.
We still offer the traditional tape and staple (or side stitch) binding.
Fastback cloth tape binding is a newer method for smaller publishing projects.
3-ring binding offers ease and flexibility for frequently updated book projects.
Post/Chicago Screw can use either plastic or metal fasteners.
A note to you from Gregath Company, Inc. One item that remains constant with our books, regardless of binding type, that needs to be highlighted when discussing softbound or "paperback" books is the paper quality. Many people equate softbound books with the paperbacks (perfect binding) with newsprint weight paper they buy at the bookstore. We feel that a book that is published deserves good quality, durable paper. Therefore, the standard paper used (8½x11" 50/60 lb. acid free book stock) is the same for hardbound or softbound books. While you may save a little initially by using newsprint, the book will not stand the test of time. The question then becomes, "Did I really save anything?" Increasingly, if this economic question is answered by "save as much as possible", we suggest choosing to publish electronically, or use electronic publication to support (free or for profit) your printed publication. |
Other Color links for reference:
Color Work
Color Book Pages
Color HB Cover Files
Click here for royalty free clip art and cover design tools for sale.
All cover services are available as part of a complete publishing package and POD (small quantity charges may apply), as well as binding or graphic design only.
Note: All full color bound books shown on this page were printed and/or published by Gregath Company, Inc. Not all books are available for purchase through this publisher.
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