Questions about using Photoshop for page layouts...

[Lou Gonzalez]

I'm a professional Photographer and looking to create signature journals for my wedding clients. I've used Blurb before with good success but the delivery slow and the pages were thin.

I'm new to MyPublisher and have never submitted an order. Just today I've looked through the forums and haven't seen my questions answered. I apologize if this thread is a repeat.

Instead of using the Bookmaker 2.2. Can I strictly use Photoshop and then import the pages directly into Bookmaker? I plan on using the Classic Hard Cover Books(11.25w x 8.75h).

I see on a help page they show the following dimensions:

Landscape (horizontal) with the image resolution set at 180 dpi
11.3 inches wide
8.5 inches high
2040 pixels wide
1530 pixels high

I assume the above is for the pages? What dimension should I use for the dust jacket cover? I assume the cover is slightly larger. I don't see specs for that. I want to make sure the cover is spot on and sharp.

Does anyone have the exact dimensions for use in Photoshop?

Thanks!

[Cruiser]

I use Photoshop a lot and I size my pictures for the Classic full bleed at 11.3 x 8.474 and they seem to fit perfectly. Those dimentions allow 1/8" for cutting the outside edges and up to 1/2" at the binding side. What you see in preview isn't always what you get in your printed copy. You may have some picture cut off so don't put important details too close to the binding or the edges. After dragging the picture into Bookmaker, I zoom out until I have a white space around my picture then zoom back in until the edges fit. That way, I don't lose any picture.

I save at 350 dpi and don't worry too much about the pixels. When I save at 12 compression in Photoshop, I make sure my file size is between 2 mb and 7 mb. If the file size is larger, I reduce the pixels. I'm assuming that you know how to resize using Photoshop choices. I use the same picture in full bleed or multi picture pages. I don't resize for smaller pictures and they print fine. You may want to be more choosy than I am so you may want to reduce the size of your pictures if you are putting multi pictures on the pages.

[Lou Gonzalez]

Thanks for your reply, but my question was about the dimensions of the dust jacket. Any ideas what the image size (in pixels) would be so I'm using a properly sized image that fits the dust jacket???

[Cruiser]

I use the same size picture as I use for the full bleed.

[Lou Gonzalez]

Ok, thanks! I'll give it a shot.

[sheenacherr]

I am new to photoshop and i was trying to create some layouts, but i cant seem to outline my pictures. All i want to know how to do is create a white border to outline some of my pictures. Can you help me out?

[Pamela]

Sheena,
Work on your image in a PSD file (multiple layers) that is larger than your photo. I make it a rule never to work on the original jpeg image.

On the photo's layer, use your Magic Wand tool to select the empty area around the photo.
For a border iniside the dimensions of the photo:
1. On your toolbar, choose Select >> Inverse.
2. Create a new layer over the photo. Fill with your border color.
3. Use the magic wand tool to select the colored square or rectangle you filled.
4. On your toolbar, choose Select >> Modify >> Contract. Enter the number of pixels for the width you want your border. Then hit the delete key.

You can use a reverse process to put a border outside the dimensions of the photo, for instance if you don't want to cover any of its edge. Select outside the photo, choose Select>>Modify>>Contract, and then Select >> Inverse, but then you'll find the corners of the selection have become rounded. When I have to do it this way, I just touch up the corners by hand.

If anyone knows how to remedy this, please let me know.

[alwinegar]

I'm basically in the same situation as Lou, but I am interested in making a deluxe album, does anyone know what size I should use in Photoshop for the bigger book?

I'm glad this forum string exists - it's exactly the information I'm looking for

Thanks!
Angela

[sheenacherr]

Thanks so much. This helped out alot!!! Now I am trying to figure out how to save my image as the exact size needed to fit into the mypublisher full page. Should i size my image initially and how? Everytime i try to size the image I cant get that exact size needed. Help needed!!!!

[mypublisher]

Hi Guys - here's the exact page size for Deluxe albums...don't put anything too important close to the gutter or the edges, as there is a margin of error:

Printed size with bleed 14.6256 x 11.3256

Final Deluxe book size after cutting will be 14.5625 x 11.21875


Sincerely,
MyPublisher

[sheenacherr]

I was reading your response and i see that you are pretty good with photoshop. I am new to photoshop and i have figured out how to create my page layouts with help from friends, but i cant seem to figure out how to adjust the overall image size to that exact size needed for the mypublisher software. Everytime i try to adjust the size it automatically prompts either the width or the height; i guess to best size. Please help!!!! Im am tyring to get my wedding album finished ASAP.

[Pamela]

Sheena,
I can't quote about the exact size mypublisher wants. No one has responded to questions I posted over a week ago. I guess MP doesn't like me :)

To adjust your image size in photoshop (and I could be more specific if you tell me what version you are using) Older versions choose Image>>Edit Image Size. Newer versions of photoshop, choose Edit>>Image Size. You should get a little pop up box that shows pixel dimensions, print size and resolution. Photoshop shouldn't ever be resizing the image for you, it might just be fitting your image to the screen. Be sure you are viewing what is really there by choosing View: Print Size, or View: Actual Pixels.
Hope that helps
Pam

[Pamela]

Ooops. I see you were asking Cruiser. I guess nobody likes me here.

[mypublisher]

Hi Pamela - which post are you looking for an answer to?

[Pamela]

Julie,
Mine is the first question on "Using Bookmaker tools" posted 1/31/08 and the second question on "Using photo editing software" posted 2/1/08.
Thanks,
Pam

[sheenacherr]

I read your previous postings about page sizes. I did what said about zooming in and zooming out to get the exact size so you dont loose any picture. The problem is with my jacket, which i created the same size as all of the other pics. When I zoom out it seems to be more off, as if the box for the jacket layout size is different from the regular pages. Please help because this is the only problem i need to solve before i place my order.

[mypublisher]

Ah yes, the jacket is slightly larger because the pages are smaller than the book itself slightly. 11.25" x 8.75"

Sincerely,
MyPublisher