I know many people have use InDesiogn, CS and so on to create a book cover that is PDF/x-1a:2001 compatible, but I am more interested in Scribus since it is 100% FREE.
I have used Scribus created 5 book covers for books with b/w interior, and they have ALL been accepted by LSI without any problems. However, when I submit my book cover for a book with COLOR interior, it was rejected by LSI. The reason is the file is not PDF/x-1a:2001 compatible.
I always use the Scribus default PDF1.4 (Acrobat 5) format when I did the previous book covers, and I did not really paid attention to the PDF formats since they have ALL been accepted by LSU. Apparently, PDF1.4 (Acrobat 5) is NOT PDF/x-1a:2001 compatible, and LSI seems to be very strict about color interior books and the files have to be PDF/x-1a:2001 compatible
Does PDF1.3 (Acrobat 4)= PDF/x-1a:2001 compatible? Can anyone confirm this? Please let me know. If not, I'll go ahead and submit one more time after I create the PDF file via the following steps. The worst thing that can happen is that I have to pay another re-submittal fees.
I think the following should work for using Scribus to create a PDF file that is compatible with PDF/x-1a:2001 directly:
File > Export > Save PDF, A pop-up window appears. Click the arrow next to Compatibility under Files Option, and select PDF1.3 (Acrobat 1.4), the then click Save.
This should create a PDF file that is compatible with PDF/x-1a:2001 and can be used for LSI.
Gang Chen, Architect, LEED AP BD+C, Real Estate Broker (DRE# 01232392)
Director of Architectural Service, ArchiteG®, Inc. ( http://www.ArchiteG.com/ )
Knowledge-Based and Service-Oriented
Bestselling Author/Publisher ( http://www.GreenExamEducation.com )
E-mail: aa_gangchen(at)yahoo.com