Flattened and press-ready PDF (Affinity Publisher)

[Cedar]

I am confused on my workflow when converting an Affinity Publisher file to PDF and adding a TIFF barcode. Here is what I think I need to do (per Amazon, the barcode needs to be added to the PDF after the PDF has been flattened, but before the PDF is made press-ready):

1. File>>>Export>>>PDF>>>flatten the file>>>Export
2. I add a TIFF barcode to the PDF
3. Open the PDF in Affinity Publisher
4. File>>>Export>>>press-ready>>>Export

For some reason, the TIFF barcode file I added to the PDF ended up as a JPEG file when I checked Resource Manager in Affinity Publisher. Amazon wants a vector barcode file.

Does this all sound correct?

[loukash]

5 hours ago, Cedar said:

Amazon wants a vector barcode file.

And that's what you should use.
Use any free online "bitmap to vector" service to convert the TIFF to vector PDF or SVG, or an online barcode generator that will create a new barcode from your data as a vector PDF directly.
Then open (do not place) the new vector barcode file and copy the curves directly to your layout and give them the required color, usually K100 if the layout is going to print.
Been there done that many times.

As a side note: Although Affinity doesn't provide a vectorizer built in, there exists an "accidental feature" (or "happy bug") in Publisher that can sort of "vectorize" bitmap layers. It works pretty well especially with barcodes and QR codes:

 

[Twolane]

[ I do only black and white print interiors, no images other than a random black and white image preceding the book text or at the end of the book. ]

I publish POD books on Amazon and Ingram Spark. I pick up my free barcodes from the link. Occasionally, I'll slip the guy ten bucks. I've been using the site forever.

https://bookow.com/resources.php#isbn-barcode-generator

Once I have the .png barcode, I place or copy the downloaded barcode file onto my KDP cover file (done in Affinity Photo), within the yellow barcode area of the KDP template. I adjust the size accordingly so as to place it within the yellow outline. The adjusted size won't fit exactly, but it should on at least one side and the top (or the bottom), at least, to keep it within the boundary,

I'm not sure why you're having problems. The barcode is part of the cover once you add it to the KDP template in the appropriate spot.

I don't deal with curves on a barcode. Curves aren't a necessary part of a downloaded barcode from that site.

Once I have added the barcode, I export All spreads / PDF/X-1a:2003 / CMYK.

I don't recall flattening a PDF, but whatever works.

Edited to ask: Are you doing the book cover and the book interior all in one file in Publisher? I've never tried that, but I suppose it's possible. If you are, I recommend simplifying the procedure by having a book cover file, and a separate book interior file. But whatever works for you. (And on further thought, I don't think KDP will let you do that, anyway. They want separate cover and interior files.)

[thomaso]

10 hours ago, Cedar said:

• File>>>Export>>>PDF>>>flatten the file>>>Export
• I add a TIFF barcode to the PDF

Why do you export first without the barcode, then add the barcode to an exported PDF for another export? – TIF and JPG are pixel, not vector.

10 hours ago, Cedar said:

Amazon wants a vector barcode file.

If I understand right you mentioned in your previous thread an EPS or PDF version of the barcode which, possibly, is vector. If yes, open this in Affinity + copy the vector barcode into your layout document. Don't flatten on export to avoid rasterization.

[Cedar]

1 hour ago, Twolane said:

I'm not sure why you're having problems.

Once I have added the barcode, I export All spreads / PDF/X-1a:2003 / CMYK.

I don't recall flattening a PDF, but whatever works.

Are you doing the book cover and the book interior all in one file in Publisher?

@Twolane I am not having problems with KDP yet; I am trying to avoid problems by researching and drafting my procedures. Here are KDP's requirements that are driving my actions:

1. Flatten all layers in the native file (I do this when converting to PDF by choosing the flatten option and unchecking 'include layers')
2. Barcode image is not flattened into the main cover as a single image (I do this by adding the barcode after the PDF is flattened, but before it is made press-ready)

I created the manuscript in MS Word, then convert to PDF.

I created the book cover in Affinity Publisher, then convert to PDF following the sequence noted above. I guess what I am asking, is this what other people do, and you are saying "no".

[Cedar]

1 hour ago, thomaso said:

Why do you export first without the barcode, then add the barcode to an exported PDF for another export? – TIF and JPG are pixel, not vector.

@thomaso I export first without the barcode because if I included the barcode in Affinity Publisher it would get flattened in the conversion to PDF flattening process, which is not what KDP wants. Here are their requirements:

1. Flatten all layers in the native file (I do this when converting to PDF by choosing the flatten option and unchecking 'include layers')
2. Barcode image is not flattened into the main cover as a single image (I do this by adding the barcode after the PDF is flattened, but before it is made press-ready)

Maybe I am misunderstanding something, which is very possible.

[Cedar]

2 hours ago, thomaso said:

If I understand right you mentioned in your previous thread an EPS or PDF version of the barcode which, possibly, is vector. If yes, open this in Affinity + copy the vector barcode into your layout document. Don't flatten on export to avoid rasterization.

I plan to 'Add image' a TIFF barcode to the PDF after is has been flattened, but before it has been made press-ready for IngramSpark (because they seem to allow TIFF barcodes and the black inserts as 0-0-0-100 CMYK as they require and this is easy for me to insert).

I plan to 'Add image' an EPS barcode to the PDF after is has been flattened, but before it has been made press-ready for KDP (because they require a vector file. But another problem I have not resolved is, the vector file converts to a JPEG file when inserted into Adobe Acrobat XI PDF).

I will respond to your last line in a new post.

[Twolane]

I can only speak to what works for me with both Amazon and Ingram.

A simple .png barcode is all that I require for my productions. It is inserted into the cover file. There is no messing with 

"Add image' a TIFF barcode to the PDF after is has been flattened, but before it has been made press-ready for IngramSpark (because they seem to allow TIFF barcodes and the black inserts as 0-0-0-100 CMYK as they require and this is easy for me to insert).

"I plan to 'Add image' an EPS barcode to the PDF after is has been flattened, but before it has been made press-ready for KDP (because they require a vector file. But another problem I have not resolved is, the vector file converts to a JPEG file when inserted into Adobe Acrobat XI PDF)."

That appears to be a lot of extra work  and experimentation that, in my experience, isn't necessary. But if it works for you, go with it.

[Cedar]

2 hours ago, thomaso said:

If I understand right you mentioned in your previous thread an EPS or PDF version of the barcode which, possibly, is vector. If yes, open this in Affinity + copy the vector barcode into your layout document. Don't flatten on export to avoid rasterization.

Is this what you mean:

1. Open Affinity Publisher
2. File>>>Open>>>select the EPS file>>>Open
3. Copy the EPS barcode and paste it into my Affinity Publisher book cover file and size and position as necessary

Then Export>>>PDF>>>PDF (Press-ready)>>>Advanced>>>Rasterize: Nothing. And uncheck 'Include layers'>>>Export

[Cedar]

7 minutes ago, Twolane said:

I can only speak to what works for me with both Amazon and Ingram.

A simple .png barcode is all that I require for my productions. It is inserted into the cover file.

That is good to hear @thomaso . It should be as simple as that.

[thomaso]

13 hours ago, Cedar said:

Amazon wants a vector barcode file.

Are you sure? – If yes, you can't use the export preset "PDF (flatten)" since this will rasterize all elements, text/vector included.

Notice, as mentioned in your other thread, EPS and PDF may contain vector but may also contain pixel. You need to check this to be sure.

[Cedar]

@thomaso In my world, Amazon wants a vector barcode file because I do not understand all that rasterizing stuff, so I avoid that area. FYI, here are the types of barcode files I can choose from that the barcode supplier sent me: BMP, EPS, JPEG, PDF, TIFF.

Here is what KDP says:

If you upload your own cover and choose to provide your own barcode, it must meet these requirements:

• Image quality:
  • Vector images* are preferred
  • Rasterized images** should be 300 PPI (pixels per inch

* Vector images are comprised of "paths" that create the shape of an object with points, lines, and curves and which can be scaled up or down with no loss in quality. Objects like fonts are vector objects. 
** Rasterized images are objects made up of numerous color-coded pixels which together make a single picture. Rasterized images cannot be scaled up or down without changing their resolution. Objects like .jpeg and .tif files are rasterized objects.

[Twolane]

I dunno, but it this free barcode site appears to be pretty simple to me. I've used it 20+ times. Works like a charm, too, considering one can input the price of choice. Your barcode supplier appears to be overcomplicating things with BMP, EPS, JPEG, PDF, TIFF, but what would I know? Where's the simple .png implementation?

In any event, you should be aware that Amazon will modify your barcode to Amazon's new requirements. It may or may not resemble the barcode you supply.

Good  luck in your endeavors.

[Cedar]

3 hours ago, thomaso said:

If I understand right you mentioned in your previous thread an EPS or PDF version of the barcode which, possibly, is vector.

@thomaso said, "Possibly the barcode is a layer of type 'pixel', not 'vector'? Then you can't change its fill colour simply by defining a colour but may nest an object with the desired colour…"

I have emailed the barcode supplier asking whether the EPS barcodes they sent me are a layer of type 'pixel', not 'vector'.

[Cedar]

Thanks @Twolane . Yeah, the answer might be, send in something then IngramSpark and KDP will change it to what they want.

[Twolane]

As I said, Amazon may or may not change your submitted barcode to their new barcode specification. It's not a barcode specification you can meet on your own. Amazon may or may not take the barcode you submit and modify it to their new requirements for barcodes. They're implementing this new barcode format over time, thus the "may or may not".

As far as I know, Ingram does not make any changes to the same barcode you submit to Amazon.

[Cedar]

17 minutes ago, Twolane said:

As far as I know, Ingram does not make any changes to the same barcode you submit to Amazon.

I will be sending two separate barcodes (separate ISBNs).

I have see IngramSpark replace my barcodes with their version on my eproofs, therefore they must be correcting them.

[Twolane]

Unless the product you submit to Ingram differs substantially from what you submit to Amazon, i.e. physical size, interior formatted in oversize print for visually impaired, a hardcover, different paper type, etc., you do not need a separate ISBN. If you're in a country where you must pay for your barcodes, save yourself some money. If your ISBNs are free, go to it.

 

[PaulEC]

This may be obvious, but, just in case, if you get a free barcode from KDP (Amazon), you cannot use it elsewhere, such as Ingram Sparks.

[Cedar]

32 minutes ago, Twolane said:

Unless the product you submit to Ingram differs substantially from what you submit to Amazon, i.e. physical size, interior formatted in oversize print for visually impaired, a hardcover, different paper type, etc., you do not need a separate ISBN.

 

I believe that is incorrect @Twolane IngramSpark, KDP, Barnes & Noble, etc. each need a unique barcode for their use only for each edition (first, second, third, English, French, etc.) and each format (hard vs soft  cover) and each version (trim size, etc.) of each title.

[Twolane]

Well, I couldn't list them all, but you are correct but for editions - whatever you mean by an edition.

However, I use the same ISBN on Amazon and Ingram Spark for identical print products. Ditto for my e-pubs on Amazon, Apple, Barnes&Noble, Google Play Books, and Nook. They all get the same e-pub ISBN. Revisions (is that an edition?) to print or e-pub do not require a new ISBN unless the revision is substantial, whatever that means. 

Anyway, I'm doing just fine with my 50+ e-books and 30+ (I re-counted) print versions. 

Good luck, and I hope you don't have to pay for those ISBNs.

[Cedar]

5 hours ago, Twolane said:

...but for editions - whatever you mean by an edition.

However, I use the same ISBN on Amazon and Ingram Spark for identical print products. Ditto for my e-pubs on Amazon, Apple, Barnes&Noble, Google Play Books, and Nook. They all get the same e-pub ISBN. Revisions (is that an edition?) to print or e-pub do not require a new ISBN unless the revision is substantial, whatever that means.

A separate edition would be: 1) because substantial changes were made to the book, not just a few spelling mistakes being corrected or a few lines being formatted differently, 2) foreign language editions, 3) colour versus black and white editions, 4) trim size variations, 5) perfect bound versus spiral bound, 6) hard cover versus soft cover [ebooks usually do not require an ISBN, but they could have one if you want].

"I use the same ISBN on Amazon and Ingram Spark for identical print products." Doing this can cause problems for those book distributors that you might never become aware of until your royalties are wrong, because they work with each other and a single ISBN somehow fouls up their accounting, I have heard.

[Twolane]

Yeah, well, depending on the year, my output produces somewhere between 12 to 15,000 downloads a year, every year. Editions are way down on the "concern" ladder. So is royalty accounting. As an indie publisher, I do my own accounting, keep my own records, and do my own books. As long as the money going into the "income" pickle jar exceeds the "output" pickle jar expenses, I'm good. Been good for quite a while, actually. Life is good, too. No worries or concerns here. About anything.

Edited to add that I consider producing a POD book from my output to be more of a hobby than anything else. I was reading a print book (can't remember what it was), but it was Big 5 output. I said to myself, I can do this. I already owned the Publisher software. I watched videos. Messed the first book up. Tried again. Came to the forums to ask questions, etc. I now have a template (thanks to the latest version of Publisher (v2.6.2) that I can use to instantly output print product in any format that rivals the interior look of the Big 5. Am I happy with that? Yes. Does the POD product sell? Not like my e-books. Do I care? No. But for my efforts I have books on my shelf to show off. They look nice. Open one, and it looks nice on the inside, too. So there's that. 

I hasten to add that without Affinity Publisher and Photo, I would never have produced print output.