When you create a document with perfect binding, the cover requires a spine, i.e. the outer portion of the document which covers the actual binding. If you are not sure about the different binding options for multipage brochures Gelato offers, please refer to this article.
In this article:
Basic characteristics for a Perfect Bind Brochure
Gelato supports perfect bind between 28 and 250 pages.
The spine area for a document design depends on:
- Number of pages
- Paper type (Coated / Uncoated)
- Weight of the paper
We always recommend using our free Print Plugin for Adobe to create templates with the correct spine dimensions.
Tip: Please refer to this page for an exact calculation of the spine size.
However, if you want to upload a file as a PDF, make sure that:
- The cover is designed as a spread (including back cover, spine and front cover)
- The cover (exported as spread) is page 1 of your PDF
- The Inner pages come after the cover and are exported as single pages
Practical Example: 32-page perfect bind brochure
Note: If the file is design via the Gelato plug in, you can import directly to the platform, no need to export the file in pdf.
Pdf file's page count should be 31 (back cover and cover will count as 1 page). This is due to the fact that the cover will be exported as a spread, while the inner pages will be exported as single pages.
This is the overview of how the PDF file should look like:
Calculating the spine
Please refer to this page for an exact calculation of the spine size.
Minimum Cover Width (1st page in the multipage brochure PDF) = Bleed + Back Cover Trim Size + Spine Width + Front Cover Trim Size + Bleed
Example calculation for width of 210mm x 297mm cover with 60 inner pages = 4 + 210 + 3.429 + 210 + 4 = 431.429 mm
Minimum Cover Height = Bleed + Book Height Trim Size + Bleed
Example calculation for height of 210mm x 297mm document cover = 4 + 297 + 4 = 305
