File Creation Help
Lightning Source has created a
File Creation Guide
to assist in the creation and submission of digital files. The information contained in this guide expands on the
specifications in our POD Operations Manual with some more detail and expansion on specific application settings, etc.
You can also review the information below for our current trim sizes and paper specifications.
Trim Sizes
Lightning Source Print On Demand Offerings
Black & White Books |
| |
Trim Size - in. |
Trim Size - mm. |
Bindtypes Available |
Page Range |
Stock |
Priced As |
| | 5 x 8 | 203 x 127 | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 828 | white | small |
| | | | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 740 | creme | small |
| | 5.06 x 7.81 | 198 x 129 | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 828 | white | small |
| | 5.5 x 8.5 | 216 x 140 | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 828 | white | small |
| | | | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 740 | creme | small |
| | | | case laminate (hardcover) | 108 - 740 | creme | small |
| | | | cloth - blue or grey | 108 - 740 | creme | small |
| | | | jacketed | 108 - 740 | creme | small |
| | 6 x 9 | 229 x 152 | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 828 | white | small |
| | | | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 740 | creme | small |
| | | | case laminate (hardcover) | 108 - 740 | creme | small |
| | | | cloth - blue or grey | 108 - 740 | creme | small |
| | | | jacketed | 108 - 740 | creme | small |
| | 6.14 x 9.21 | 234 x 156 | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 828 | white | small |
| | | | case laminate (hardcover) | 108 - 828 | white | small |
| | | | cloth - blue or grey | 108 - 828 | white | small |
| | | | jacketed | 108 - 828 | white | small |
| | 6.69 x 9.61 | 244 x 170 | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 828 | white | small |
| | 7.44 x 9.69 | 246 x 189 | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 828 | white | small |
| | 7.50 x 9.25 | 235 x 191 | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 828 | white | small |
| | 7 x 10 | 254 x 178 | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 828 | white | large |
| | | | case laminate (hardcover) | 108 - 828 | white | large |
| | 8.25 x 11 | 280 x 210 | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 828 | white | large |
| | 8.268 x 11.693 (A4) | 297 x 210 | perfect (paperback) | 48 - 828 | white | large |
Color Books |
| |
Trim Size - in. |
Trim Size - mm. |
Bindtypes Available |
Page Range |
Stock |
Priced As |
| | 5.5 x 8.5 | 216 x 140 | saddle-stitch (paperback) | 4 - 48 | white | color |
| | | | perfect (paperback) | 24 - 480 | white | color |
| | 7 x 10 | 254 x 178 | saddle-stitch (paperback) | 4 - 48 | white | color |
| | | | perfect (paperback) | 24 - 480 | white | color |
| | 8 x 10 | 254 x 203 | saddle-stitch (paperback) | 4 - 48 | white | color |
| | | | perfect (paperback) | 24 - 480 | white | color |
| | 8.5 x 8.5 | 216 x 216 | saddle-stitch (paperback) | 4 - 48 | white | color |
| | | | perfect (paperback) | 24 - 480 | white | color |
| | 8.5 x 11 | 280 x 216 | saddle-stitch (paperback) | 4 - 48 | white | color |
| | | | perfect (paperback) | 24 - 480 | white | color |
| Note: Books with page counts less than 80 pages contain NO spine text. |
| Perfect sizes - 11 |
|---|
| 5 x 8, 5.06 x 7.81, 5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, 6.14 x 9.21, 6.69 x 9.61, 7.44 x 9.69, 7.5 x 9.25, 7 x 10, 8.25 x 11, 8.268 x 11.69 |
| Case Laminate sizes - 4 |
|---|
| 5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, 6.14 x 9.21, 7 x 10. |
| Cloth sizes - 3 |
|---|
| 5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, 6.14 x 9.21. |
| Jacketed sizes - 3 |
|---|
| 5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, 6.14 x 9.21. |
Bindtype Definitions |
| Perfect - Books bound into a cover made of paper. Also known as paperback. |
| Case Laminate - Books bound into a cover made of binder board covered with a laminated cover. Also known
as hardback. Typically used in textbooks. |
| Cloth - Books bound into a cover made of binder board covered with cloth. |
| Jacketed - Books bound into a cover made of binder board covered with cloth and wrapped with a removable
paper cover. Also called dust jacket or hardcover. |
| Saddle-stitch - Books folded in half and bound together at fold lines with staples (stitch). |
Paper Specifications
COVERS
Covers for all Perfect Bound books except (A) 8.25 x 11 over 600 pages and (B) trim sizes greater than 8.25 x 11
HP INDIGO PAPER
| Manufacturer: |
International Paper |
| Color: |
White |
| Brightness: |
96 |
| WT: |
90# Cover |
| Caliper: |
10.6 |
| Finish: |
Ultra Smooth |
This paper is acid free and meets all ANSI standards for archival quality paper.
Covers for Perfect Bound books (A) 8.25 x 11 over 600 pages and (B) all trim sizes greater than 8.25 x 11
NAVAJO COVER
| Manufacturer: |
Mohawk Paper |
| Color: |
White |
| Brightness: |
98 |
| WT: |
80# Cover |
| Caliper: |
8.2 |
| Finish: |
Ultra Smooth |
| Recycle Content: |
20% Post Consumer Waste |
This paper is acid free and meets all ANSI standards for archival quality paper.
Covers for 4-Color Case Laminated Books
FINCH ID
| Manufacturer: |
Finch Pruyn & Co |
| Color: |
White |
| Brightness: |
98 |
| WT: |
100# Text |
| Caliper: |
6.9 |
FSC & SFI Certified
JACKETS
NAVAJO COVER
| Manufacturer: |
Mohawk Paper |
| Color: |
White |
| Brightness: |
98 |
| WT: |
100# Text |
| Caliper: |
5.9 |
| Finish: |
Ultra Smooth |
| Recycle Content: |
20% Post Consumer Waste |
This paper is acid free and meets all ANSI standards for archival quality paper.
END SHEETS
All case bound books bound within a continuous endsheet.
Glatfelter Endleaf - 80# Kraft
| Manufacturer: |
Glatfelter Paper |
| Colors: |
B18 Natural and D37 White |
| Recycle Content: |
No Post Consumer Waste |
This paper is acid free and meets all ANSI standards for archival quality paper.
INTERIOR
Black and White Books
Interior for Case and Perfect Bound books printed on Creme paper
CRAWFORD OPAQUE
| Manufacturer: |
Glatfelter Paper or International Paper |
| Color: |
Colonial White |
| WT: |
55# |
| PPI: |
444 |
| Finish: |
Smooth |
| Recycle Content: |
No Post Consumer Waste |
SFI Certified
This paper is acid free and lignin free. It meets all ANSI standards for archival quality paper.
Interior for Case and Perfect Bound books printed on White paper
DIGIBOOK
| Manufacturer: |
Glatfelter Paper |
| Color: |
White |
| Brightness: |
92 |
| WT: |
50# |
| PPI: |
512 |
| Finish: |
Smooth |
Virgin Fiber - no recycle content
This paper is acid free and lignin free. It meets all ANSI standards for archival quality paper.
Color Books
ACCENT OPAQUE
| Manufacturer: |
International Paper |
| Color: |
Accent Opaque White |
| Brightness: |
96 |
| WT: |
70# |
| PPI: |
385 |
| Opacity: |
96 |
| Finish: |
Smooth |
Virgin Fiber - no recycle content
This paper is acid free and lignin free. It meets all ANSI standards for archival quality paper.