Submit client files as pages or spreads?

[Neha Rawat]

Hi,

I'm due to start the final coloring of a picture book project.

I wanted to know if there's a preferred or standard method of submitting the final files. This story contains single page, double spread and spot illustrations.

Should I submit all illustrations in a double page spread template? Even if they are 2 single page or spot illustrations?

Or should I submit them all as a single page template, and only the double page spreads as double page template?

I can ask the publisher but I'll have to wait a few days before I get a reply.

Thanks!

[NessIllustration]

@Neha-Rawat I haven't noticed a pattern, it's all over the place and up to the publisher's preference so there's nothing for it but to ask them

[braden H]

@Neha-Rawat You're gonna need to ask them I'm afraid No real standardization as far as I can tell

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Neha-Rawat As Ness and Braden said, before submitting anything, ask your publisher. They will most likely be happy to clarify things to make sure you're delivering what they need instead of going ahead and submitting files that might be unusable.

So far, I've never had a client or publisher be upset because I asked questions to be sure I delivered artwork that fit their specifications.

In my experience (and again, every publisher has different preferences and specifications), if I'm not doing the book design, what my clients want from me is the illustration files only, which they will then format for publication. Usually, that means delivering a high-resolution file (at least 300 dpi) of the entire illustration. So spots would just be the spot, single page illustrations are just that, and spreads are delivered whole, not split up into two pages.

But again, ask your publisher. They'll let you know sizes, dpi, file formats, and other submission requirements. ️

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Neha-Rawat i just submit all my double spreads as double spreads. If 2 single page illustrations are adjacent to each other, I submit them as double spreads unless specified otherwise. You could also just ask them. Anyway, they have a graphic designer. Let them worry about the nitty gritty.

[jimsz]

I have never had an assignment where I didnt receive a spec sheet. this should have been covered long before you are working on the finishes.

Ask the publisher. If it holds you up for a few days then you'll just need to spend some late nights getting the work done on time.

[TaniaGomesArt]

I have worked as a layout designer for years, and normally what I want from the illustrator is the illustration as it is. So if the illustration is a 2 pages spread, I want it like that. Then I will add it like that to Indesign and the separation in 2 pages is done on the export stage. So, if what you are doing is simply the illustration and not the layout, the most probable is that this is what you have to deliver.
Also, if the size given to you for the illustrations was the double spread, then I assume that is what they want. At least that is what I do, I give the exact measures I need to the illustrations so that they are given to the illustrator.

Either way, as it was said, always best to ask, since there is no answer that fits all.

[Neha Rawat]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I agree th best solution is to ask the client but I just wanted to hear about everyone's experience.

@jimsz Thanks! I received the specs at the start of the project but not the template.

@TaniaGomesArt I think this makes the most sense to me. Thanks!

[davidhohn]

@Neha-Rawat I recently sent out the finished art for my most recent book so this is timely!

Here's how I do it:

• If an image is a full-spread, full-bleed I send those pages out as a individual file
• If an image is a full page full-bleed (1/2 spread) I send that image out as a individual file. Typically the other 1/2 of the spread will be a vignette or spot illustration. That vignette or spot will be sent out as a individual file
• If a full-spread or a page is comprised of a series of vignettes in which the exact proximity of each image is not explicitly dependent on each other I will send each vignette out as a separate image file, knowing that the book designer will place the images based on the sketch dummy submitted and approved earlier. This also allows the designer greater flexibility to slightly nudge or scale the vignettes to make each spread look their best.

[Neha Rawat]

@davidhohn Thank you for your insight. It didn't occur to me to send each spot/vignette as a separate file. This is very helpful!