Print Specifications
Welcome to “Print Specifications.” If you’ve finished a manuscript in Word, the next step—turning it into a polished interior for print—can feel like a maze of trim sizes, margins, fonts, and page numbers. Today, we’re looking at a self-service book-formatting tool designed to make that process more approachable, while keeping the details that matter to printers in view.
First, start with the manuscript you already have. The tool accepts Word DOC and DOCX files, then uses AI to identify likely chapters, front matter, and back matter. That gives you a starting structure without having to build every section by hand. It’s still worth reviewing what the system has recognized: a dedication, contents page, or author note may need a little attention if its role isn’t obvious from the document. Think of the automated detection as a helpful first pass, not a substitute for checking your book.
Second, set the print specifications for your edition. You can choose a trim size, adjust fonts and spacing, and customize elements such as drop caps and page numbers. These choices shape how the pages look and how the manuscript flows once it’s laid out. A trim size affects the page dimensions; font and spacing choices affect readability and pagination. Because requirements can vary between KDP, IngramSpark, and commercial printers—and can change over time—confirm that your selections match the printer and edition you plan to produce.
Third, you don’t have to make every adjustment through menus. The AI assistant, Vana, accepts plain-English instructions, so you can describe the change you want in everyday language. You might ask for a different feel in the typography or a change to the spacing, then review the result. That conversational approach can make iterative formatting less intimidating, especially if you know what you’d like the book to look like but don’t know the name of every layout setting. For corrections that need a human eye, there’s also an optional “Human Fix” service for manual adjustments.
Fourth, consider the workflow and cost. The service uses credits, and those credits never expire, so you can use them when you’re ready rather than racing against a countdown. When the interior is prepared, you receive a PDF through a presigned S3 link. That link is valid for 24 hours. If you return to the project after it expires, the PDF can be generated again automatically, so an expired link doesn’t mean the file is gone for good.
The goal is a print-ready PDF interior that’s easier to create and revise, whether you’re preparing a book for KDP, IngramSpark, or a commercial printer. Choose the print specifications carefully, review the AI’s structural choices, and look over the final PDF before sending it to production. With a combination of automation, plain-English guidance, and optional human correction, formatting can feel less like deciphering a technical checklist—and more like the final, satisfying step in bringing your manuscript to the page.
