If you've ever prepared a book for print, you already know that layout is where most authors (understandably) start sweating. Margins? Bleed pages? DPI? CMYK? It's enough to make even the most easy-going writer take up Sudoku instead.
Thankfully, there's good news. The tools are finally catching up to the authors.
With Canva's new Affinity Publisher and the right book printing partner, you can finally create a workflow that's surprisingly, shockingly easy. Here's how it works:
What is Affinity Publisher?
For years, authors had two choices:
- Learn Adobe InDesign which is the artistic equivalent of learning another language, or
- Try and format your book in Microsoft Word, which is quite challenging.
Affinity Publisher is a professional-grade desktop publishing program designed specifically for laying out books, magazines, workbooks, catalogs and any long-form print project. It's part of the Affinity Suite, now owned by Canva, and lets authors access the same superior tools like InDesign, without the overwhelming interface of the monthly subscription.
Pixel-perfect control that matches OnPress specifications
When you visit OnPress’ trim size & specs page, you'll see our recommended trim sizes, bleed settings, and file requirements. Affinity makes it incredibly easy to match those specs. You simply:
- Choose the correct trim size
- Set your margins and safe zone
- Add the exact bleed that we use here at OnPress
- Maintain CMYK-safe colors
- Embed your fonts
- And make sure all images are print resolution
You're not hunting through nested menus or browsing convoluted help files. Instead, you walk through a single document setup panel where everything lives. Affinity Publisher shows you the visual bleed and margins so you can see, at a glance, what's safe.
Master pages that beautifully match OnPress’ print standards
If you don't know the difference between grids and guides or running headers, you're in luck. Affinity Publisher helps you create master pages in just a few clicks. Instantly set all your background elements, consistent margins, page numbers, running headers, and more, then apply them across your entire book with a single click.
Text flow built for long manuscripts
Whether you're formatting a 90,000-word novel or a nonfiction title with charts, Affinity Publisher gives you flowing text frames that are designed to work intelligently across all pages. Import your manuscript, import your frames, and then revise to your heart's content. If you update a chapter title, adjust a paragraph, or add a quote, Publisher updates the layout without breaking your entire book.
One-click export to match OnPress’ printing requirements
One of the most overwhelming things about book formatting is making sure your export matches your book printer's requirements. Staring face-to-face at that export screen and wondering "Which PDF setting do I choose?" or "How do I make sure my bleed is included?" is now a thing of the past. Simply open Affinity and do the following:
- File > Export
- Choose PDF/X-1a (or X-4 depending on color work)
- Check "Include Bleed"
- Select "Export"
This preset embeds fonts, flattens transparency, maintains CMYK colors, and ensures proper bleed. It essentially distills your book into the exact format that OnPress Book Printing can use right away.
How does Canva acquiring Affinity help?
If you've been using Affinity for a while, you'll likely wonder what has changed. Since Canva acquired Affinity, the interface is cleaner and tooltips are clearer. Color profiles are easier to manage and the template library will be expanding. Asset libraries integrate better and collaboration is much smoother. For authors who hate tech headaches, bringing in the ease of use of Canva to Affinity is a huge weight off their shoulders.
How to prepare your print-ready file in Affinity
First, go to File > New and set the DPI to 300. In the Color tab, choose CMYK as the color format. In the Bleed tab, enter the required bleed based on your number of pages for all sides. Make sure that all of your images are high resolution (around 300 DPI or more) and are converted to CMYK. Any background that touches the trim edge must extend to the bleed lines (the purple line).
To export your file format, go to File > Export, choose the PDF, and select the PDF (press ready). Make sure that include bleed is checked. That's it! Now all you need to do is choose the right book printing partner.
Why choose OnPress as your book printing partner
At OnPress Book Printing, we specialize in printing books. No flyers, no brochures — just books. Thanks to our superior printing equipment (including HP and Xeikon presses with dry toner technology) and our G7-certified color consistency, you'll benefit from the very same impeccable quality that large print and publishing houses use when printing their books. We even handle many books that smaller print presses won't touch, like specialty books including large-trim books (coffee table or photography books) and books with special finishes.
Many of our orders can be completed within 2 – 5 days depending on size and other options. We can also help with short runs and even single copies. Our roll-fed presses mean we pass the cost savings to our customers, and even include a free online quoter to help you estimate the cost before you decide.
And if you have any questions, our U.S.-based support staff is here to help every step of the way. We even offer a free expert prepress file check just to make sure that your book printing export looks good and is ready for print. We also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so that you know your work is in good hands.
Ready to take the next step? Export your print-ready file in Canva Affinity Publisher and get it printed by the best team in the business. Contact the experts at OnPress Book Printing today to learn more. Let's give your book the attention and quality it deserves.