How to Prepare Your Book for Printing: A DTP Checklist

A well-written book can still look unprofessional if its layout is careless. Desktop publishing (DTP) turns your manuscript into clean, consistent, print-ready pages. Use this checklist before sending your book to the printer.

Before layout

• Finalise the text: editing and proofreading should be finished first.
• Decide the trim size with your printer (for example 5.5 x 8.5 in or A5).
• Collect high-resolution images (300 DPI for print).

Page setup

• Set margins, with a larger inside (gutter) margin for binding.
• Add 3 mm bleed wherever images or colours touch the page edge.
• Keep important text inside the safe area.

Typography

• Choose a readable body font and size, and keep it consistent.
• Set paragraph and heading styles instead of formatting by hand.
• Avoid single lines at the top or bottom of pages (widows and orphans).
• Check that Tamil or other Indian-language fonts are embedded correctly.

Front and back matter

Include the title page, copyright page, contents, and any acknowledgements or index. Start chapters on right-hand pages if that suits your design.

Proofing

1. Print a physical proof, since mistakes are easier to spot on paper.
2. Check page numbers, running heads and the contents page.
3. Confirm images are sharp and colours are in CMYK where required.

Export

Export a print-ready PDF using your printer's settings, with fonts embedded and bleed included. Keep the editable source files for future editions and the e-book version.

Planning an e-book version

If you also want an e-book, plan it from the start. E-books use reflowable text instead of fixed pages, so complex layouts, tables and footnotes need special care. Keeping clean styles in your print layout makes the conversion to EPUB much easier and cheaper.

Working with Tamil and bilingual books

• Use Unicode Tamil fonts so text can be edited and reused later.
• Check line breaks and conjuncts carefully in proofs.
• Keep consistent fonts and sizes when mixing Tamil and English.
• Confirm your printer supports the fonts, or embed them in the PDF.

Cover checklist

• Get the exact spine width from your printer, based on page count and paper.
• Include front cover, spine and back cover in one file with bleed.
• Add the ISBN barcode, price and publisher details if needed.
• Use high-resolution artwork and check text readability at small sizes.

Common layout mistakes

• Inconsistent spacing between paragraphs and headings.
• Low-resolution images that look sharp on screen but blurry in print.
• Text placed too close to the gutter, making it hard to read near the binding.
• Missing bleed, which leaves thin white edges after trimming.

Frequently asked questions

What file does the printer need?

Usually a print-ready PDF with embedded fonts, bleed and the printer's specified colour settings.

Can you type my handwritten manuscript?

Yes. Typing services convert handwritten or scanned pages into editable text before layout.

How many proof rounds should I plan?

Plan for at least two rounds: one for text and layout, and a final check before printing.