Preflight checklist for print
A practical checklist to verify trim, bleed, color profiles, embedded fonts, and image resolution before sending files to print.
Ask for a checklistEditorial insights, production tips, and author resources
The GB WP 1 blog is written for authors, independent publishers, and creative professionals who want practical, actionable guidance about bringing books to market. We prioritise content that demystifies editorial choices and technical workflows so you can make informed decisions about editing, design, and production. Topics range from manuscript appraisal checklists to typographic principles for readable interiors and step-by-step guides for preparing printer-ready PDFs and EPUB files. Our aim is to provide concise, experience-driven content that bridges the gap between craft and delivery. We draw on case studies from our portfolio to show how strategic editorial and design decisions influence both reader experience and discoverability. The blog also highlights process improvements, quality control routines, and metadata best practices to help authors present their work professionally across retailers and platforms.
Editorial perspectives and case studies
This section dives into editorial practice and the reasoning behind suggested revisions. We provide extended case studies that document the brief, the editorial approach, and the outcomes. In each case study we outline how structural edits improved narrative clarity or argument flow, why typographic choices were made for interior readability, and how design and metadata choices supported discoverability. The articles are intended to help authors evaluate whether a proposed change is stylistic preference or editorial necessity. We discuss how to prioritise revision work when timelines are tight, and present checklists for assessing manuscript readiness before formal editing begins. These posts are especially practical for authors preparing for their first editorial engagement or small presses standardising production across multiple titles. Each case study includes concrete examples and a summarised set of recommendations authors can apply to their own projects.
Guides, how-to content, and technical checklists
Our how-to guides focus on the hands-on tasks that precede publication. We cover preflight routines for print PDFs, simple EPUB validation steps, and accessible approaches to layout that retain functionality across devices. Each guide breaks tasks into step-by-step actions with practical tips to avoid common pitfalls, such as image resolution errors, incorrect bleed settings, or EPUB navigation problems. We also publish checklists for metadata, ISBN usage, and retailer submission to reduce repeated back-and-forths that can delay release schedules. These resources are written to be usable both by authors working independently and by small press production teams. Whenever possible we provide example settings and a short rationale explaining why a particular choice improves reader experience or technical reliability.
EPUB basics
Key steps to prepare an EPUB, including navigation, image handling, and common validation tools to confirm compatibility with major readers.
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