Getting Your Edge Design Printed

Use this pre-flight checklist to make sure your files and templates are ready for production.

Back to Learn Hub

1. Downloading your PDF File

  • Navigate to the Project page and click on your recently purchased project to open the details.
  • Download the "Final Proof (Processed PDF)" file from your project. This is the file with your designs embedded directly.
  • Download Final Proof
  • Review this file in detail to ensure that it meets your expectations and is ready for printing.
  • If you uploaded a PDF, your Final Proof should match the original file exactly. If you created a template, your Final Proof will include your designs applied to the template with the page count and trim size you selected.

2. Double-Check Book Specs

  • A quick audit prevents surprise delays once your project is ready to be uploaded to your POD printer or directly into Vellum.
  • Ensure trim size and page count in the PDF is correct.
  • Check that the embedded edges do not overlap any key content of your book (i.e., page numbers, header/footer content, chapter headers).

3. Template Files

If you purchased a template and are preparing to upload your design into Vellum, follow the steps below.

  • Open your existing book project in Vellum, navigate to the Styles tab, and select the style you would like to customize.
  • Select the "Background and Border" option in Vellum to create a custom "Page Border" option.
  • Upload the Final Proof (Processed PDF) file into Vellum as the Image for your custom page borders.
  • Change the Apply To option to "Entire Book".
  • Change the Multipage Repeat option to "All Pages".
  • Change the previewer to "Print" so that you can verify that your edges are being applied.
  • Your custom printed edges are now embedded directly into your Vellum project. When you export your project, the edges will be included in the final PDF.
  • Note: Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding this process.
  • Vellum settings example

4. Direct PDF Files

If you purchased a final PDF project and are preparing to upload your design to a POD printer (i.e., Amazon, IngramSpark, BookVault, etc.) follow the steps below.

  • Navigate to your POD printer of choice (i.e., Amazon, IngramSpark, BookVault, etc.) and create a new book or edit an existing one.
  • Ensure that your book project on the POD website is set to "Full Bleed", failure to do so will give you an error during upload.
  • Double check that your book project is set to the correct trim size.
  • Select if you want to print in Black and White or Full Color. You can use the same file for both options without having to purchase a second file.
  • Upload the Final Proof (Processed PDF) file into the POD printer as your interior file.
  • Review the proof provided by the POD printer to ensure that everything looks correct.
  • Note: Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding this process.

5. Ordering Proof Copies

Regardless of whether you are uploading to a POD printer or Vellum we recommend ordering a physical proof copy of your book to ensure that everything looks as expected. Failure to order a proof copy could result in unexpected issues with your final printed book. PrintedEdges.com is not responsible for any issues that arise from not ordering a proof copy before purchasing in mass.

  • Order a single proof copy of your book from your POD printer with the embedded printed edges to review.
  • Every POD printer varies in their consistency and quality, and a proof copy is critical to ensure that your custom printed edges are applied correctly.
  • Take pictures and document any issues that you notice from your POD printer and email them to printededges@gmail.com for support.
  • After generating hundreds of printed edges for customers, we have seen most issues and can answer them quickly via email.
  • If your proof copy meets your expectations, you can safely proceed with your order.
  • Please tag PrintedEdges if your share your designs online. We would love to share and support our author friends!
  • If you would like to be featured on our Customer Gallery page, please send detail pictures and information to printededges@gmail.com.