Almost ready to contact a typesetter to polish up your manuscript before publication? Congratulations!
As you get ready to brief the typesetter of your choice, have a read of some of the most common mistakes we see clients and authors make. Avoid these and enjoy a stress-free typesetting process that results in an attractive, easy-to-read finished product.
1. Not supplying enough information
A book is a multi-faceted creation, and your typesetter needs information about each and every part to work effectively. Too often we see authors leave vital features out of their briefs, such as the back-cover blurb, any acknowledgements and the dedication.
2. Not giving the typesetter enough time to create the best possible product
If you are working to a print deadline, it’s vital to partner with a typesetter that can turn around a polished product within the specified timeframe. This is one of the top five considerations to make when selecting a typesetter for your project.
3. Failing to consider the page extent
Not thinking about the page extent when briefing your typesetter is another common mistake we see. The initial brief of a design and typesetting project we worked on recently came in with very large headings and lots of white space, so we went double the extent. We then had to spend a significant amount of time working on redesigning the layout and cutting back.
4. Expecting your eBook and print version to look the same
We often hear from authors and clients, ‘Why doesn’t my eBook and my printed book look the same?’ The thing is, there are a number of features and characteristics that the epub format doesn’t support, including the following:
- Flowery fonts
- Tabs – these are converted to a single space
- Columns – these are converted into a single column
- Anything outside the margins
Typesetters have to make changes to the print version to ensure everything displays properly. Find out more on this top in our article, Why doesn’t my eBook typesetting look like my printed book?
5. Not offering enough specific information about visual elements
If your manuscript contains visual elements, the best thing to do is provide as much specific information about placement and other related details as possible. It’s also important to supply captions if required.
6. Using the incorrect trim size
It’s essential to ensure you have the correct information regarding the trim size. We have, in the past, worked with a stated trim size that turned out to be incorrect for the format. (For example, Amazon requires a specific trim size.) Upon realising this mistake, we then had to spend hours adjusting the sizing.
7. Not providing enough guidance on cover design
If your typesetter is going to be creating your book’s cover design, the more information you can supply, the better. Let us know what you do and don’t like. If you can link to a few examples of cover designs you like, even better.
On the subject of cover design, remember that you can’t send through poor-quality images and expect a miracle in return. If your designer has high-quality resources to work with, you can expect high-quality results.
8. Changing the whole book during the first round of proof
As we mentioned above, supplying as much detailed information as possible in your brief is the best way to get your manuscript looking just how you want it. The initial consultations are your opportunity to share all of your thoughts and ideas – and your big chance to change your mind. The first round of proof is not the ideal time to make drastic changes, but if you do see areas that require corrections, avoid doing so in the Word document.
Start the typesetting process today
If you’re ready to start the process, find out more about our professional typesetting services today. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, contact our friendly team on (07) 3395 2022 or head to our Contact page.
