When you publish with EASL, YOU own your book, which means YOU
pay the bills...
The more you prepare, the more you profit!
With this in mind, we have created this guide to help you create a manuscript which is fast, easy and inexpensive to typeset. The alternative is simply to pay us to do it. This guide is intend for use EXCLUSIVELY by EASL authors and is the copyright of EASLpublications 2000.
MAIL FLAT LETTERS TO:
EASL PUBLICATIONS • PO BOX 22088 • ST. LOUIS, MO • 63126
PHONE: 314-892-9222 FAX: 314-892-9607 E-MAIL: INFO@EASLPUBLICATIONS.COM
E-MAIL TO:
SENDING ARTWORK: How to pack your artwork for shipping
U.S. Postal Service: (To:) SCOTT KLEIN • 12540 OLD TESSON FERRY RD. • ST. LOUIS, MO • 63128
PHONE: 314-729-0118-9222 CELL: 314-406-5979 E-MAIL:SCOTT@EASLPUBLICATIONS.COM
UPS: EASL PUBLICATIONS •11150 LINDBERGH BUSINESS CT. • SUITE 107 • ST. LOUIS, MO • 63123
PHONE: 314-892-9222 FAX: 314-892-9607 E-MAIL: INFO@EASLPUBLICATIONS.COM
SEND MANUSCRIPTS (To:) PAM PONDER • 2324 GENE AVE. • ST.LOUIS, MO • 63125
OR BY E-MAIL AT PAM@EASLPUBLICATIONS.COM
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
| PLANNING YOUR BOOK | FIRST DRAFT ISSUES | FIRST PROOF ISSUES | FINAL PROOF ISSUES |
| How much will it cost? | What is a manuscript? | What is Adobe Acrobat?
|
I forgot to sign my text proof or Blue Line |
E-mail us with other questions at info@easlpublications.com
IF YOUR ART IS SELECTED TO BE DISPLAYED AT TRADE SHOWS
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
All EASL books .
RELATED ITEMS: Common book layouts
HOW MANY PAGES? see Illustration
All EASL books are printed on a press which prints a little larger than 17" wide by 22" high. Each printed sheet is really four pages printed on the front and four pages printed on the back. Generally a two page spread (across the binding) is repeated once on each sheet. The result is an economical four pages, twice (eight pages total). The sheet is cut so that each two page spread is left intact, only the trim and one horizontal cut turns the sheet into two identical 17" w x 11"h pages. For instance the front cover, the inside front cover, the back cover and the inside back cover are all on one 17"x11" sheet of paper. As well as regular pages, it is also economical to create fold-out patterns in 2 or 4 page (one side) formats.
All EASL books are binded using a center stapled binding. Stapled binding is economical for books less than 100 pages, depending on the weight of the paper used.
| For the reasons mentioned above your book can be... | ||
| Multiples of 4. | Final book size (with 8 color pages): | |
| 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64 | 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72 | GOOD |
| You can improve your efficiency by creating books divisible by 8 pages | ||
| Multiples of 8. | Final book size (with 8 color pages): | |
| 40, 48, 56, 64 | 48, 56, 64, 72 | BETTER |
| Or, ideally, 16 pages, a perfect 'signature' press form | ||
| Multiples of 16. | Final book size (with 8 color pages): | |
| 48, 64 | 56, 72 | BEST |
RELATED ITEMS: Common book layouts
WHAT AND HOW MANY PROJECTS?
•It is best to have a minimum of 20-24 painted objects, of a variety of sizes to choose from. From these projects we can choose those which make a beautiful and effective instructional book. Do not include any previously published projects or patterns, your customers are watching for your NEW artwork.
•Choose items that are easy to find for those buying your book. If the items you choose are redilly obtainable at a local craft shop or dependable mail order company, painters will be more likely to buy your book.
•Choose projects that work well for 8" wide x 10" high pattern pages. see Illustration
If you choose to do larger patterns they must be cut to fit on
the regular pages (an then reassembled by the customer) OR they
must be fold-out type patterns. For instance, you could do a painted,
6' diameter, round dining room table project and pattern. If all
areas of your painting were unique, you would need two 17" x 22"
fold-outs, printed on both sides, for just the table top. If you
add the color minimum of four pages and the instructions, you
have already used half the book, 20-24 pages. This is simply to
make a point, while not every book has to include only small projects,
it is important to design an entire book. Think about how the
projects you choose will work with the book as a whole.
•If you choose to finish (varnish) your project, use only a Matte
finish, NOT a glossy. Most water base varnishes are too shiny
and do not photograph well. We suggest that you include the finishing
instructions in your manuscript, but do not finish your work OR
use only a light misting of Krylon #1311 (Matte) spray varnish
to protect your art.
•If you use transparent washes or delicate values/colors them may be lost when the artwork is photographed on film. If you frequently use such techniques, try saturating the colors a little more than you would normally, the effect will prevent the colors from 'washing out'.
RELATED ITEMS: Common book layouts
Craftsmanship
PREPARING PATTERNS see Illustration
•Invest in a fine tipped 'technical' type pen. A #1 or #0 size should be fine. You may use a fine point pen or felt tipped marker, but be sure that the tip is sharp and in good condition, that the line that it creates is solid black and completely opaque. If the quality of the line begins to deteriorate as you progress with your patterns, do not hesitate to use a new pen.
•Often, artists want to create their patterns on Acetate or Vellum, these materials do not photograph well, and so we suggest a smooth (low pebble or hot press) paper.
•If your patterns are large and require that they be cut and placed in the regular pages of your book, create the pattern on one large sheet or roll and we will cut the pattern digitally after we scan your pattern. (from above) If you choose to do larger patterns they must be cut to fit on the regular pages (an then reassembled by the customer) OR they must be fold-out type patterns. For instance, you could do a painted, 6' diameter, round dining room table project and pattern. If all areas of your painting were unique, you would need two 17" x 22" fold-outs, printed on both sides, for just the table top. If you add the color minimum of four pages and the instructions, you have already used half the book, 20-24 pages. This is simply to make a point, while not every book has to include only small projects, it is important to design an entire book. Think about how the projects you choose will work with the book as a whole.
•Keep your patterns clean and flat if possible. If you must send us a pattern which is rolled for shipping, try not to roll them too tight and be sure they are protected from being crushed during shipping. Badly wrinkled or soiled patterns will reproduce poorly. If you are unsure how the patterns will reproduce, make a photocopy and examine the line quality. Use White-Out if necessary to omit any lines which accidently show up on the photocopy.
•Clearly mark all patterns with the title of the project to which it corresponds and number their parts if you have multi-part patterns.
•Use a paperclip to attach the directions for each project to its respective pattern.
POPULAR BOOK LAYOUTS (COLOR AND PATTERN PAGES) see Illustration
•After you get an idea of approximately how many pages your book will be, you can begin to think about how you want it to be laid out. If your book is large enough to warrant eight color pages instead of four, you may want to think about where those color pages will fall. Remember you must think in increments of four pages because four pages are really only one 17"w x 11"h sheet, printed front and back.
This means that in a 20 page book, the first color sheet will be pages 1,2, (thus19 and 20). If you have four pages of B/W, pages 3,4,5,6 (thus B/W on pages 15,16,17,18) and then the second color sheet, those color pages will be pages numbered 7,8 (thus color on pages 13,14). Pages 9,10,11,12 will be B/W.
WRITING ABOUT THE AUTHOR (YOU)!
•One of the most difficult tasks for some authors is to write about themselves, but giving the customer some basic information about you could help create repeat sales and generate personal interest about you as an author. Typically, the artist bio should be a paragraph stating in plain words, your painting experience. You might explain your achievements such as certifications and seminar info. You may also want to include a little personal information sharing your creative roots or a bit about your family.
DECORATIVE PAINTING AND YOU!
•You may not have thought of yourself as a decorative painter before publishing with us. Often artist's develop skills and have never been a part of the Decorative Painting world (industry). Do not get too involved in the terminology or wondering if you fit in that category, just do what you do as best you can. It is up to us to market your work to the industry.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
•Be careful to be as neat and clean when you are creating your projects and patterns. Poorly erased lines or lines drawn with a pencil rather than the suggested pens, can look dirty and may not be suitable for reproduction
PREPARING YOUR MANUSCRIPT FOR TYPESETTING:
We may receive a manuscript in a number of file types. The least
expensive manuscripts to typeset are those created in a word-processing
application such as MicrosoftWord or Corel WordPerfect. The most
expensive would be a poorly printed copy of the text.
TEST your file type and DOCUMENT how you save the files:
Using the directions you have created for one project ONLY. Save
your file and E-mail it (as an attachment) to Pam@easlpublications.com.
If you do not have E-mail or can not send an attachment, mail a 3.5" floppy diskette formatted for PC to PAM PONDER • 2324 GENE AVE. • ST.LOUIS, MO • 63125.
Testing your document could save you a good deal of time and money, as well as helping to save the sanity of those working to help you create your book.
•In general, use only san-serif fonts such as Helvetica, GillSans or Arial.
FILES CREATED IN....
In addition.
I HAVE AOL.COM IS THAT A PROBLEM?
•You may have problems recieving attachments or large files, download
and install the AOL attachment converter. In order to proof your
manuscript without waiting and paying for overnight deliveries
you need to be able to view PDF files. You need to download the decoder if when opening the file
in Adobe Acrobat Reader, you recieve the message "There was an error opening this document.
File does not begin with '%PDF-'." (The PDF file has a .mim extension
rather than a .pdf extension). I do not know why this is neccessary
except that I have been told that AOL stripps essential code from
incoming mail attachments. The decoder is located at:
AOL Attachment Decoder:
WINDOWS http://www.etresoft.com/Decoder.exe
MAC PPC http://www.etresoft.com/DecoderPPC.hqx
Any MAC http://www.etresoft.com/Decoder.hqx
AOL information: Solutions
Do either of the following:
Solution 1
If you received the PDF via e-mail, ask the sender to check with
the Internet Service Provider (ISP) for recommendations on the
best way to send PDF files. For example, the ISP may suggest a
specific encoding format.
Solution 2
If you've received the file via AOL, do one of the following:
Disclaimer: Adobe Systems does not support AOL's software or files
sent or received using AOL. If this does not solve your problem,
refer to your AOL software documentation or contact AOL.
Ask the sender to resend the PDF file with MIME encoding. AOL's
software will automatically decode the MIME file and place the
decoded .pdf in the same folder containing the encoded version.
Decode the PDF file using WinCode for Windows:
1. Download WinCode, which is available free from the Etresoft
Web site at www.etresoft.com/.
2. Start WinCode.
3. Choose File > Decode.
4. Select the PDF file with the .mim extension. WinCode will decode
the file, give it a .pdf extension, and place it in the same folder
in which the encoded version was stored.
Decode the file using Decoder for Mac OS:
1. Download Decoder, which is available free from the Etresoft
Web site at www.etresoft.com/.
2. Double-click the self-extracting Decoder file to decompress
it.
3. Drag and drop the PDF file with the .mim extension onto the
Decoder application file. Decoder will decode the file, give it
a .pdf extensions, and place it in the same folder in which the
encoded version was stored.
4. If the file does not appear with the red Acrobat PDF icon,
choose File > Open in Acrobat Reader or Acrobat Exchange, select
Show All File Types, then select the file and click Open. Or,
before trying to open the file in Acrobat Reader or Acrobat Exchange,
drag and drop the .pdf file onto the PDF File Type Utility, which
is located on the Acrobat Reader CD in the Utilities:Mac:PDF folder.
You can also download the utility from Adobe's Web site at www.adobe.com/support/downloads/acrmac.htm.
Additional Information
E-mail applications may strip the header information from PDF
files, or they may automatically encode them before sending them.
When PDF files are missing header information or are encoded,
Acrobat Reader and Acrobat Exchange won't be able to open them.
AOL's software automatically encodes attachments in Multipurpose
Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) format if they're not already
encoded that way. AOL's software may then be unable to decode
the file from MIME format to binary (i.e., normal computer) format.
If a PDF file is encoded in MIME format and is not decoded back
into binary format, Acrobat Reader or Acrobat Exchange will return
an error when you try to open it.
To avoid this problem when you're sending a PDF file via AOL,
encode the PDF file in MIME format before you send it. Don't encode
the file in BinHex format -- AOL can't decode BinHex files. For
instructions, refer to your e-mail application's documentation.
SENDING E-MAIL AND ATTACHMENTS TO US.
•Most E-mail attachments require that your mail software understand the format which the file is saved. Often it requires that you change your E-mail settings. The settings are changes to what are called MIMEs (Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Extension) which decodes files according the file suffix (.jpg, .gif, .pdf, etc.). If you use AOL you need to download and install a decoder.
ATTACHMENT : Refers to any file that accompanies an E-mail. Text in the body of the E-mail is not the same as attaching and sending a file.
ADOBE ACROBAT READER: is a free application which runs on both Mac and PC. It interprets and displays a .pdf file type created by Adobe Acrobat. The .PDF format allows you to view your typeset book complete with fonts, graphics, formatting, patterns and page order. PDF files are easy to view and the Acrobat Reader gives you a powerful interface with which to navigate your document. This format is easily sent via. E-mail or web site. Click here to test a PDF. file on your computer and download the Acrobat Reader Guide.
PDF : is a Portable Document Format. A .PDF file is useful for proofing and it is to your advantage to explore the free copy of Abobe Acrobat Reader which comes with your computer or internet browser. You can download Adobe Acrobat reader by clicking here. You can download the .pdf browser plug-in by clicking here.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Choose projects that lend to good photography. Lets face it, some projects just are not photogenic. Many times not just the object but the surface is problematic. A table, for example, is difficult to compose in a photograph, without cropping out the legs. Many glass surfaces pose a challenge to make readable (sense) to the camera. What can work in 3-D does not always work well in 2-D (photographs).
You may want to create groups of projects that have a similar color schemes and or similar themes. These groups will be photographed each on their own page. If you are thinking of group of projects, be careful not to introduce any 'dissonant' or odd color. To help us understand what you have in mind for your photographs, group your projects in the way you might want them to appear. Take a photo and send it along with your artwork. Do not group light colors (pastels) with rich colors (jewels), to do so will make it more difficult for the camera to achieve the best exposure.
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SOLUTION:
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• Avoid high-gloss finishes which cause reflections and 'hot spots'
on your artwork.
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Matte Finishing. |
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• Avoid objects with large mirrors larger than 6" which reflect
unwanted images of the photo studio.
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• Avoid including only one very large object. A painted chair,
for instance, may need to be photographed alone, rather than grouped
with other projects in your book.
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PRINTING
•.
DISPLAYING YOUR BOOK AND ART AT TRADE SHOWS
•If your work was chosen to be displayed at one of the trade shows which EASL attends, you may want to keep a few things in mind. The area reserved for each book and the corresponding artwork is 22"w x 29"h. We choose items which work well in this space. If you have artwork which requires a shelf, we do have them, however we prefer not to use them because they cast shadows on the area just below the shelf.
DRAG THIS WINDOW TO THE SIDE FOR EASY ACCESSIBILITY
EASLpublications©2000 AUTHORS BOOK PUBLISHING GUIDE
PUBLISHING TERMINOLOGY (in reference to publishing tole and decorative painting books.)
A MANUSCRIPT: Is a text document which has been proofed and which spelling or grammatical errors have been corrected. This is one of the easiest ways to save on typesetting fees. The typesetter typically does not have the responsibility to proof the text for these errors. Some of you may have noticed that our typesetter, Pam, does try and watch for those errors, but DO NOT EXPECT HER TO!
TYPESETTING: is the preparation of display type and high-quality digital fonts in conjunction with images for the final copy proof. In this step all formatting of text, captions, display type are artfully composed with the images to make the pages look beautiful.
TEXT FORMATTING : is DIFFERENT THAN A FILE FORMAT. Unfortunately there is occasions where the same word may mean two different things. Text formatting refers to the creation of tabs, columns, font selection, point sizes and styles (such as bold and italic).
FONTS : are the type face files you use. There are different types of fonts as well as different fonts. In most case, if you have a preference for a specific type face (font), tell us the name and print out a sample of the font at 30 points or larger. We will use if if we have the font on our system or find a close match. Here are samples of fonts.
TYPE POINT SIZE : The term 'points' comes from a specialized printing scale of measurement. Along with the term 'Typeset' they are part of printing history which is used today. There are other archaic terms which are still used today, they are derived from the old method of setting lead type in old print presses. Slivers of lead were placed between rows of lead type to increase the distance between lines of text. Today we still refer to the space between lines as leading. Here are samples of font sizes (10 point leading).
BODY (TEXT) : is the regular text in a manuscript (typeset differently from a title or caption).
LAYOUT : Layout refers to the sequence of images, patterns and text in a book or on a page.
CROPPING : is the action of cutting down an original photograph to a smaller size.
SPREADS (2-PAGE) : Spreads are photographs (or any content) which spans the width of two facing pages.
FOLD-OUT PATTERN : Is any pattern that is larger than 17"w x 11" h and must be folded before it is binded into the book.
STANDARD TEXT FORMATTING : is the common usage of type style such as bold and italic. We have prepared a sample text (instructions for a project) created using the standard method of formatting.
TEXT FILE : Any document saved in a word-processing application.
OCR TEXT SCAN : is the use of an Optical (sees) Character (text) Recognition (understands) application. Amazingly OCR software can convert an entire page of a phone book to a word-processing file such as WordPerfect, in seconds! We use this option if we receive a printed document without a corresponding digital text file. The drawback is that text formatting is lost and often some characters in the text are recognized incorrectly. Correcting a OCR text scan may require quite a bit of time.
IMAGE SCAN : is the digital imaging of a photograph. Where photographs use film to record the image, scanning saves the information about an image in a digital file.
TEXT PROOF : is the detailed correction of any spelling or grammatical errors making the text ready for typeset.
FINAL PROOF : Is the acknowledgement by the author that the text is correct and ready to be printed.
BLUE LINE : is the final copy of the regular pages of text and patterns from the printer (printed using blue ink).
COLOR PROOF : is the acknowledgment by the author that all photography accurately reproduces the color and arrangements intended and is ready to be printed.
TEXT PROOF APPROVAL : is the acknowledgment by the author that all text is correct and is ready to be printed. You can print a 1st Draft Proof Release to send us here. You can print a Final Draft (Blue Line) Proof Release to send us here.
COLOR PROOF APPROVAL: is the acknowledgment by the author that all photography accurately reproduces the color and arrangements intended and is ready to be printed. You can print a Final Color Proof Release to send us here.
FILE FORMAT : refers to how a digital text or image file is saved. The result can determine if it is readable by a Macintosh or a PC or both. This applies to disk (floppy, zip or CD) formats as well. Translation software which converts one file format to another without loosing important information is continually being developed, but at the present there are more incompatible formats than compatible between different software.
DIGITAL (FILES AND EFFECTS) : Digital means a non-physical (binary data) item. There is no paper or photograph until you print it out. Digital effects are the virtual manipulation of digital file.
.JPEG, .GIF, .PICT OR .TIFF : The suffixes follow image file names when save as one of these formats. When you save in one of these formats the information is compressed or coded so that the resulting file is smaller in size. Generally, any image which needs to have the richness of depth and color of a photograph needs to be saved as a .jpg. On the other hand, a .gif is suitable for line art and graphics. A .pct (PICT) file is the most versatile format, but does not compress very small. A .tif retains the most information about the image, but does not compress at all. .tif files are very large and often unnecessary depending on what you plan to do with the image. Here are examples of the same image saved in different formats and the resulting file size.
Not viewable on Not viewable on
Aaron.gif 17K
Aaron.jpg 33K
Aaron.pct 33K
the webAaron.tif 66K
the web
YOUR AUTHOR WEB PAGE : is your personal web page on the EASLpublications.com web site (server). The purpose of your web page is to allow customers to view informations about you and see those books which only you have published rather than the entire EASL book list.
SERIF AND SAN SERIF FONTS : Think of Serifs as frills or text ornaments. If you should need to send a printed manuscript which requires that it be scanned into a word processing application like Word Perfect. San Serif (No Ornament) fonts scan with fewer errors saving you money.
BINDING : is how separate pages are permanently or semi-permantently attached to create a book. The type of binding used depends on the thickness of the book. Easl books are typically around 48 pages minimum and are printed on a combination of papers, one paper (weight) for color and another (weight) for the regular, black and white pages. Books of this size can be stapled together. The result is an affordable binding which the customer can remove without damaging the patterns.
BUILD
