How to prepare graphics

Graphics and illustrations

“Graphics” applies to everything that is not the text of your book — drawings, illustrations, photos, charts, figures, etc.
All graphics to be placed in the text of your book must be uploaded in a single Zip or StuffIt file through the electronic sign-up form.
Interior graphics not uploaded at the same time as the rest of your book may require a fee.
Your optional cover graphic must be uploaded as a separate file through the electronic sign-up form.
We know graphics can be tricky, so we review your files before formatting begins. If your files don’t meet our specifications, you may re-submit graphics one time after the initial upload. If the images fail to meet our guidelines a second time, all changes to graphic images will be considered editorial corrections in the proofing stage and may be subject to the corrections fee.

All graphics to be placed in the text of your book — drawings, photos, charts, figures, etc. — must be uploaded through the electronic sign-up form, at the same time as you upload the manuscript file.
If you have multiple graphics, upload them in a single Zip or StuffIt file. If you have only one graphic, please do not send it as a Zip or StuffIt file. Just upload it as a single TIFF or JPEG.
Give each image file an easily distinguishable name, and be sure it has a file extension (.tif, .jpg).
Acceptable file formats are TIFF and JPEG. Please see tips for creating graphics, below. Do not upload read-only files.
Mark in your text where the image is to be inserted. For example, the file abc.tif should be marked as follows: [insert abc.tif here]. If there are special instructions for how you wish this graphic to appear, include them in the placement marker, e.g. [insert abc.tif here, top of page, at outside margin].
Do not place/insert graphics in your manuscript file.
All interior graphics must be in black and white, at a minimum of 300 dpi resolution, and at the exact size you wish them to appear. Please see tips for creating graphics, below.
Maximum sizes for interior graphics are:

Size A book — 4" wide by 6.75" high
Size B book — 4.75" wide by 7.75" high
Size C book — 6.25" wide by 8.25" high

Only cover images may be submitted in color.
Cover graphics must be saved as TIFFs or JPEGs (.tif or .jpg). Please see tips for creating graphics, below.
Upload your cover graphic as a single TIFF or JPEG. Do not send it as a Zip or StuffIt file.
The maximum size of your cover graphic varies with cover style you choose. Please refer to the cover specifications for details.
If you are preparing your entire cover, please refer to the full cover specs and templates.

Scan all images at 300 dpi or higher. Do not use a “web design” setting — this sets the resolution to 72 dpi and color to RGB. This will not give acceptable image quality.
For black and white line drawings, choose the line art setting.
For photos or black and white drawings with shading, choose the grayscale setting.
Scan in color only for color images — which may be submitted only for covers.

Be sure black and white or grayscale images are created and saved in bitmap or grayscale mode. Using RGB or any other color mode — even if you use only black and white within your image — will result in poor image quality when printed as black and white.

Create the image or scan it in at the exact size and resolution you need — or larger. Reducing image size may improve the image quality, but enlarging the dimensions or “up-rezzing” (for example, changing an image from 72 dpi to 300 dpi) seldom works well. To test your image, print it at the intended size on your printer. If it looks “jaggy” there, it will not look any better when we print it!
You can check the dpi resolution of an image saved in your computer in Adobe Photoshop by choosing the “image size” function. You will then see the “resolution” of your image. If you are using another graphic program, use the “help” link on your toolbar to find where your program displays the image resolution.
Please note that re-sizing the image does not change the resolution. If your image is not set at 300 dpi resolution you may need to physically re-scan the image at a higher resolution.

You’ll probably want to save all individual graphics into one folder or to your desktop. This will make it easier to create your Zip or StuffIt file. And you’ll always know where your properly scanned files are on your computer.
Select “save,” then specify the location in which the file is to be saved, the file name, and the file format. Make sure that the file format type is .jpg or .tif. Macintosh users may need to type in the file extension.
Click the save button and move on to your next image!

If you have any difficulty with your graphics, please ask us for assistance! We’ll be glad to clarify any part of this that may be confusing. Clearing up questions before you upload files will prevent headaches all around and can save you money.
If you are inexperienced with computer graphics, or need custom illustrations or other individual assistance, just ask. We have artists and illustrators available who can create exactly what you need.
Please email us at info@threemoonsmedia.com for any questions or custom graphics assistance.