Cover File Creation

As the outside shell of your book, the cover overwhelmingly determines a potential reader’s first impression. Like it or not, people do judge books by their covers. Professional graphic designers possess the skills and experience to turn your vision of a book cover into reality.

Covers also provide a great deal of functional information. Items to consider including on your book's cover:

• Synopsis on the back
• Positive marketing blurbs
• An author photo with accompanying bio

Cover files are to be submitted as a full spread—back cover, spine, and front cover, with bleed. IngramSpark provides a free cover template customized to your book’s particular size, specs, and spine width, upon which you layout your cover spread before uploading. The Cover template generator is available here for you to download and through your IngramSpark account under the HELP tab.

Review the Requirements

• The cover and interior files must be uploaded as separate PDFs.
• Barcodes are mandatory on the back of all covers. 100% black only and placed on a white box/background. If you do not have a barcode, one will be placed for you. Please leave a 1.75x1 inch area free. 
• Resolution: 300ppi
• Printed Line Screen: 175 visual equivalent
• Color Space: CMYK
• Bleed: 0.125” (3mm) on all four sides except hardcover files, which require a 0.625” (16mm) wrap.
• Type safety: 0.25” (6mm) minimum on all sides
• Spine Type Safety: 
  • Spines 0.35” and larger – 0.0625” (2mm) left/right sides
  • Spines smaller than 0.35” – 0.03125” (1mm) left/right sides 
• Text that is 24 pt. or below, please use 100% black only (CMYK 0/0/0/100).
• All spot colors with/without transparencies must be converted to CMYK before exporting PDF.
• Paperback books with a page count below 48 pages cannot contain spine text on the cover.
• Export: PDF/X1a:2001 PDF standard is recommended for exporting.

How to review your PDF prior to uploading

Upload Your Cover File 

Once you have double-checked the PDFs, upload the files to your IngramSpark account.

Note: The upload area is typically in the publisher’s password-protected account. If you are a Designer who does not have access to this area, you may:

1. Request for the publisher to email you a direct link to the upload area for this title (you will need a different link for each title needing to be uploaded).
2. Supply the publisher with the PDF file and the publisher can upload the file from their account.