Publication markup

Preparation of publication for layout is a critical step that requires special attention to details. In the course of this process, when you upload your document to a service of layout creation, it automatically endeavors to recognize different text elements. This includes headings at various levels that help structure your text, image captions that accompany graphic materials, as well as quotes and author signatures for those quotes.

However, it is important to realize that automatic recognition may not always be accurate. Therefore, after document uploading it is necessary to carefully check whether the service has managed to recognize these textual entities correctly. Adjustments may need to be filled in if errors in the identification of headings, image captions, quotes, or author signatures were found.

This check and correction is particularly important, as any incorrectnesses can significantly affect the overall readability and outer look of the document. Thorough approach to this step will help to ensure that your document will look properly and professionally after the layout.

What are the text styles?

Text styles in documents and publications are preset formats that help the text to take on a certain look and provide its professional and unified form. Each text style includes various formatting elements such as fonts, font sizes, alignments, text colors, letter and line spacings. The main purpose of using these styles is to provide consistency within the document and simplify the formatting process. When you apply a particular style to a text part, all of these elements are automatically applied as well.

The variety of text styles allows you to approach different parts of your document in different ways. For example, headings, subheadings, body text, quotes, and image captions can all have their own unique styles. This not only improves the appearance of the document, but also makes it easier to make changes and updates while maintaining a consistent look and feel. Text styles also make the document easier to navigate and easier for readers to understand.

Most text-based editors and word processing programs, including such popular ones as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Adobe InDesign, offer a wide range of preset text styles. They also allow you to create your own styles, which gives you additional flexibility in document design.

Available text styles

Different text styles are used in the publication to indicate different elements:

1. Main Text: This is the main text style in the document.
2. Section: This is the style for top-level headings, which usually start from a new or odd page.
3. Chapter: This is the style for second-level headings, also starting from a new or odd page.
4. Subchapter: The style for third-level headings in a document.
5. Subheading: Used for fourth-level headings.
6. Inserts: The style applied to important fragments of text to draw the reader's attention.
7. Quotation: The style used to arrange quotations.
8. Author of quotation: A style for indicating the authorship of quotations.
9. Verse: The particular style designed for poems.
10. Note: The style for the text containing secondary information, usually smaller in size than the main text.
11. Caption/Date: The style for various signatures, including image captions, poems, dates, etc.

How can I change the text style?

For any style change, you ought to click on the gear sign next to the desired style. After that the design settings of the text will appear.

List of available settings:

1. Text size
2. Line spacing settings (if the default value is set, the service will automatically calculate the preferable line spacing).
3. Tracking, or inter-character spacing. We do not recommend using this setting for large text blocks, such as "Main Text": it may become detrimental to readability.
4. Typeface (bold, italic, bold italic).
5. Text alignment (left margin, center, right margin).

6. Case selection: all capitals (caps), capitals or no case change

   Break-ups of headings, relates to headings that start from a new or odd page:

7. Heading without break-up

8. Heading with break-up at the top (an empty space will be left above the heading: this space will be calculated automatically by the service)

9. Heading with a break-up at the bottom (an empty space will be left below the heading: this space will be calculated automatically by the service)

   Start of a new page (this setting is relevant only for first- and second-level headings):

10. From the new page. With this setting, the heading may start from either the left or right page of the spread. Its location will depend on the layout of the edition's previous content.

11. From the odd page. The heading with this setting will always start from the right page of the spread.

How can I change the color?

It should be pointed out that the service does not provide the possibility to use a wide range of colors. This decision is made in order to improve the readability of publication: the limited choice of colors will help with that and will also give your publication a more restrained and elegant look.

To change the color, you ought to move to the “Design” tab on the “Publication markup” page and click on the gear sign to the right of the “Colors” heading.

In the pop-up window the advanced color selection settings will be provided.

Your design includes three main colors applied to different elements:

1. Accent Color: This color is used to highlight key elements, such as headings and decorative details (for instance, lines in footers).
2. Main text color: This is the dominant color of your publication, with which all main text blocks will be colored. This color has to be dark to ensure readability.
3. Secondary color: used for second-order elements of your design, including footers, page numeration, footnotes, and references.

How can I change the image arrangement?

The service is capable of making image layouts of your publication in two fundamentally different ways:

1. Adaptive. This method means that the images of your document are arranged in a flexible way, according to the size, content and general design settings. It is important to point out that with this method, the location of images may differ from their placement in the original text, but the movement will not exceed 1-2 pages from their original location. The images are placed with the text wrapping.
2. Fixed. This method means that the images will remain in their original places. However, in this case, the images are arranged with less flexibility and may look less dynamic and interesting. The main goal of this method is to maintain the exact order of the text and images. This way is ideal for research and term papers and reports, where strict consistency in the sequence of data is important. Images are placed without being surrounded by the text.

To choose one of these image placement methods, you ought to move to the "Design" tab on the document page and select the preferred option.

With the choice of the image placing, it is also important to decide on their size, as it defines the correctness of their display on the page. The service offers four basic image sizes:

1. Small size: Suitable for small images such as photos of the authors, QR-codes or small drawings.
2. Medium size: A versatile option that will be suitable for most images.
3. Large size: Is used for images that need special notice, such as highly detailed illustrations and photos.
4. Full-page size: The image occupies the entire page, with 3-5mm margins for trimming at the printing house. The service automatically crops images using artificial intelligence, considering the image content and the format of the publication.

Which blocks may be added?

The following elements, each with its own purpose and ways of use, are available in the service:

1. Text: This is the main component of the layout. The text may include different levels of headings, paragraphs, captions, and other text elements. The text is usually formatted using different styles to improve its readability and visual perception.
2. Lists: The lists are used to present information in a structured way. They can be enumerated (with numbers or letters) or bulleted (with bullets). The use of lists helps to organize data or stages in a logical order, making information more understandable.
3. Images: The images are included into layout to visually complement text, illustrate ideas or concepts. They may be featured with photographs, graphs, charts and diagrams. It is important to place images appropriately in the text so that they fit the context and harmoniously integrate into the overall design.
4. Tables: The tables are used to present organized data consisting of rows and columns. They are ideal for comparing information, showing statistics or lists where it is important to clearly see the relation between different parts of the dataset.
5. Page breaks: The page breaks are needed to control how the content is distributed across the pages of a document. They are used to start new chapters or sections from the new page, or to separate different topics or sections for better readability and organization of content.

These layout elements exist in cooperation with each other to create a clear, organized, and visually appealing composition that enhances the perception and understanding of the information presented.

How to add a new block?

To insert a new block into your document, at first click on the block that is located in front of the place adding. After that, focus on the plus icon that will appear to the left of the selected block. Click on this icon and you will be prompted to select the type of block you want to add.

What size main text should I use?

The size of the main text in books may vary depending on the age of the reader. Here are the general guidelines:

1. For younger children (0 to 6 years old):
   • Larger fonts, usually from 14 to 18 points, are used.
   • The large font helps children that only take on reading to recognize letters and words more easily.
2. For school-age children (7 to 12 years old):
   • The font size from 12 to 14 points is recommended.
   • At this age, children are better readers, but large and readable fonts are still of great importance.
3. For teenagers (13 to 18 years old):
   • The font size from 12 to 14 points is the most suitable.
   • Teenagers often prefer medium-sized fonts because they are already accustomed to reading and can easily accept standard font sizes.
4. For adults:
   • Typical font sizes for adults range from 10 to 12 points.
   • Adult readers usually feel comfortable with reading smaller fonts, but it all depends on personal preference and reading comfort.
5. For elderly people:
   • Font size can be increased to 14 points or larger.
   • Larger fonts are more comfortable for reading, especially if readers have poor sight.

It is important to keep in mind that these recommendations are general and may vary depending on specific book design and audience preferences. It is always a great idea to consider the overall readability of the text, font choice, and line spacing.

How can I add the table of contents?

To add the table of contents to your publication, you need to follow a few simple steps. First of all, move to the "Content" tab, which is located on the markup page. There, activate the "Include into layout" option. You will then have the opportunity to choose the placement of the content in your publication — either at the beginning or at the end of the book.

Depending on the selected position, the content will be automatically assigned a corresponding title: "Table of Contents" at the beginning and "List of Contents" at the end. The content of your edition will be generated automatically based on the headings in the manuscript.