If this is the first time producing a digital cover for Lightning Source (or the first time in a while), please take a moment to review our submission standards and best practices:

• • FAQ
• • Calculate Book Weight
• • Interior Reference Example PDF

• • Interior Specifications Explained

The most reliable method for creating a PDF is to create a Postscript file from your application and "distill" it using Acrobat Distiller Professional 6 or newer. The newer versions of InDesign have consolidated this process into their export function.

Below are instructions for creating a Lightning Source compliant PDF file from various applications.

Windows:

• • InDesign
• • Quark Xpress 7.2 & 7.3
• • Quark Xpress 7
• • Microsoft Word

Macintosh:

• • InDesign
• • Quark Xpress 7.2 & 7.3
• • Quark Xpress 7

This is a very important – yet often overlooked – step in the process. Please open and review your newly created PDF to insure that all elements are present and properly represented in your PDF prior to submitting it for printing. Incomplete or incorrect digital files will put your project behind schedule and could add charges to your account.

• • How to review your PDF prior to uploading (click to print instructions)
• • Or watch video below

Once you have the PDF completed and double-checked, it is time to upload the file to the Lightning Source servers via our website.

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.
3. Request the username and password of the publisher’s account.

If this is the first time producing a digital cover for Lightning Source (or the first time in a while), please take a moment to review our submission standards and best practices:

• • FAQ
• • Calculate Book Weight
• • Reference Template PDFs

Interior Specifications Explained:

• • Saddle Stitched Color Books
• • Perfect Bound Color Books
• • Case Bound and Dust Jacket Color Books

The most reliable method for creating a PDF is to create a Postscript file from your application and "distill" it using Acrobat Distiller Professional 6 or newer. The newer versions of InDesign have consolidated this process into their export function.

Below are instructions for creating a Lightning Source compliant PDF file from various applications.


Windows:

• • InDesign
• • Quark Xpress 7.2 & 7.3
• • Quark Xpress 7

Macintosh:

• • InDesign
• • Quark Xpress 7.2 & 7.3
• • Quark Xpress 7

This is a very important – yet often overlooked – step in the process. Please open and review your newly created PDF to insure that all elements are present and properly represented in your PDF prior to submitting it for printing. Incomplete or incorrect digital files will put your project behind schedule and could add charges to your account.

• • How to review your PDF prior to uploading (click to print instructions)
• • Or watch video below

Once you have the PDF completed and double-checked, it is time to upload the file to the Lightning Source servers via our website.

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.
3. Request the username and password of the publisher’s account.