: InDesign: how to prepare file for printing perfect bound magazine? I have always produced magazines with saddle stitches and know how to prepare files for print. Now I need to make A5 magazine

@Sims5801359

1

Spine size depends on paper thickness. At 190 pages this can be calculated as paper thickness * page count = X mm and the printer should be able to give you this number. You will probably have to design and export the covers (front and back) as a separate ID file, adjusting the spine thickness manually. You will probably need to deliver 2 pdf's, one for covers and one for pages. The width of the covers should be 297+X mm (assuming your pages are A5 portrait). Perfect binding should not influence the way you export the pages pdf, just export as single pages with crops and bleed.

2

I wouldn't worry about color profiles unless specifically asked to. Confirm this with your printer however, as sometimes they do need a profile to be used. I would also use full-color text, not just black. If doing multiple languages however, this should be discussed with the printer, as a full-black text option might make more sense (cheaper to print) when doing the same print job in different languages.

3

10pt body text size is not small for A5. 6-7pt might be small, but this also depends on the font you are using. You should be fine with 10pt body text. Print a page on any printer and see the font in real size on paper.

4

At 190 pages, inside (inner) margins should be a little wider. You could use 8-10mm for all margins and 12-15mm for inside margins (just examples).

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