Skip to main content
Participant
April 1, 2025
Question

Trying to upload indesign file to B&N - Keeps saying pages arent the right size

  • April 1, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 363 views

Hello! 

I'm making a book for my final design collection and printing it through B&N. I made it originally in .AI then placed the artboards into InDesign. I have the .125 bleed set and the .5 and .75 margins as B&N asks but when ever I go to upload the file it keeps saying the documnt (11x8.5) is too big (11.25x8.75). I uploaded it once correctly but my bleed was not properly extending, so I know the size is correct and I believe it is something to do with the bleed? I also read another thread on her that said to not choose any of the printers marks when exporting as .pdf to save and I have been clicking "use documents bleed settings" which are also set to .125.
This is my first time doing this so any help is appreciated. 
Screenshots to show

3 replies

Robert at ID-Tasker
Legend
April 1, 2025

@Koli36516765jz7f

 

Second screenshot - is from PDF export settings - with a checkbox to use DOCUMENT bleed settings.

 

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Community Expert
April 1, 2025

Are they printing it or just distributing a digital book such as a PDF?

If the latter, you don't need a bleed.

 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
James Gifford—NitroPress
Legend
April 1, 2025

I am not familiar with B&N specifically (they haven't been a major player for a while, IIRC) but all book printing services are pretty much the same. You have to follow their guidelines precisely, using a dimension template if they have one.

 

The basic points to check are:

  • Your page size in ID should be exactly the book trim size — 6x9, 8.5x11, 8x8, whatever.
  • You should set bleeds as directed, which is usually on the three outer sides but not the spine side.
  • Content that extends past the page edge, even a smidge, must go all the way to the bleed line. You can't leave gaps.
  • Export without any printer's marks, so that the page comes out exactly page+bleeds size, with no outer margin or border or such.