This article explains what a properly designed PDF should look like when using Blurb's PDF uploader.
Two of the sample PDF files shown below are also attached to this article so you can download and review them.
Note: if you're an Adobe InDesign user with a supported version we strongly recommend using our free InDesign plug-in instead of manually creating and uploading PDF files.
When creating your PDF document
- Create a PDF file in your chosen software following our book size specifications.
- Do not add any marks or color bars to your PDF files. We'll add any required marks later.
- Do not set up your PDF in signatures or in spreads. See the layout examples below.
- When exporting your PDF make sure you choose the Use document bleed settings option if available.
- Do not export your PDF as spreads--export it as pages.
When reviewing your PDF
Set up the following Adobe Reader or Acrobat preferences:
- View > Page Display select Two Page View and Show Cover Page in Two Page View
- Preferences > Page Display > de-select Use Local Fonts
- Preferences > Page Display > set Use Overprint Preview to Always
Example #1: Book (separate cover and pages)
Example #2: Book (single file PDF)
Example #3: Magazine (separate cover and pages)
Example #4: Magazine (single file PDF)
Example #1: Book (separate cover and pages)
This example assumes that you are uploading your book as two separate files: a cover file and a pages file. Note the following:
- The dark grey area you see in the screenshot below is the screen background and not part of the book.
- The cover is one single page/single sheet.
- Page 1 of the book is on the right-hand side, by itself.
- Page 2 is a left-hand page.
- Page 3 is a right-hand page.
- Page 4 is a left-hand page, and so on.
- Pages 2 and 3 (plus 4 and 5, 6 and 7, etc.) are two-page spreads or facing pages.
- The final page in the book will be an even numbered page on the left side.
Book cover PDF
Book pages PDF
Example #2: Book (single file PDF)
This example assumes you are uploading a single PDF file containing both your cover and pages.
- For single file PDF uploads only, you should review your file with the Show Cover Page in Two Page View setting turned off
A properly designed single file book PDF should look like this. Remember, unselect Show Cover Page in two-page View in Reader.
Example #3: Magazine (separate cover and pages)
This example assumes that you are uploading your magazine as two separate PDF files, a cover file and a pages file. Note the following:
- The dark grey area you see in the screenshot below is just the screen background and not part of the magazine.
- Magazine covers have two parts. Each one is displayed as a single sheet in the same PDF file:
- Outside front and back covers (one sheet)
- Inside front and back covers (one sheet).
- Page 1 is on the right-hand side, by itself.
- Page 2 is a left-hand page.
- Page 3 is a right-hand page.
- Pages 2 and 3 (plus 4 and 5, 6 and 7, etc.) are two-page spreads or facing pages.
- The final page in the magazine will be an even numbered page on the left-hand side.
Magazine cover PDF
Magazine pages PDF
Example #4: Magazine (single file PDF)
This example assumes you are uploading a single PDF containing both your cover and pages. Note the following:
- The very first page displayed is actually the outside front cover.
- The second page displayed is the inside front cover.
- The third PDF page is where you might normally place "Page 1" (unless you want your magazine to start on the inside front cover). This will be a right-hand side page.
- The third-to-last PDF page is the last magazine page.
- The second-to-last PDF page is the inside back cover.
- The last PDF page is the outside back cover.
- If you want to see how this looks in the complete PDF you can download and review the Single_File_Magazine.pdf file below.
First pages of a single PDF file with both cover and pages:
Last pages of a single PDF file with both cover and pages:
