Book Template Page Size - Best Choice?

[_VLM_]

This question is directed to people who have published physical books using FrameMaker. We are creating our first book using FM. The physical book, when published, will appear in a 7"x9" format (page size).

QUESTION: Is it best to create a "standard" (8.5x11) template and just define the correct text box sizes for everything (main body, headers, footers, etc.), print registration marks, and the like, or is it better to create a 7x9 page size to begin with? What are some of the ramifications when we go to press?

For anyone willing, I would feel very grateful to receive a long response.

Thank you kindly,
Elchanan

[Arnis Gubins]

I always create the FM page size at the required output size. Then
when I go to print, I simply print it on a larger sized sheet. FM
always centres the output on the sheet and positions the trim and
registration marks properly.

Items that should bleed off the page can always be specified with
appropriate negative values in the FM graphic properties.

[_Kenneth_Benson_]

No, your page size must be your trim size. When you take your finished
PDF to a printer, they're going to want page size = trim size. Even if
you're doing bleeds (ink printed all the way to the edge of the paper),
you should set up your page at trim size, extend bleeds past the edge of
the page, and then print your PDF to an oversize paper size.

Is there some reason you might want page size bigger than trim size?

--
Kenneth Benson
Pegasus Type, Inc.
www.pegtype.com

[Art Campbell]

I agree with everyone else -- follow the KISS principle and set up your template for the final published size.

And... when you generate PDFs, remember that you can enable crop marks only by selecting the Adobe Acrobat Press Quality job option, in order to show the 7x9 page on a larger sheet.

Art

[_Kenneth_Benson_]

> enable crop marks only by selecting the Adobe Acrobat Press Quality job option


Really, Art? Not that Elchanan shouldn't be using Press Quality for his
final PDF, but I can get any size paper with or without crops using any
job options file. Why is Press Quality special in this respect?

--
Kenneth Benson
Pegasus Type, Inc.
www.pegtype.com

[Art Campbell]

It's the only one that works out of the box on my system Kenneth, although I haven't had to play with it lately.

Several Acrobat releases ago, you could set it up with any job option, but that quit working for a while.

Art

[_Kenneth_Benson_]

Maybe that's it (and maybe that's the reason I don't want to upgrade).
I'm still on Acrobat 7.

--
Kenneth Benson
Pegasus Type, Inc.
www.pegtype.com

[_VLM_]

Wow everyone, thank you so kindly! I went to the farmers market and returned to find all these wonderful comments. Actual size it is!

Best regards,
Elchanan