Book Interior Layout Designer (Print-Ready + Chapter Graphics)
Budget: $30 – $250 USD
Here’s your **fully upgraded, publisher-grade job post (v2.0)**—tightened, clearer, and designed to attract only **serious production-level freelancers** while filtering out weak candidates.
---
We are hiring a **professional book interior layout designer** to produce a **print-ready, publication-grade interior** for a full-length manuscript.
This project includes **structured layout + integrated chapter graphics** (one per chapter), requiring both **typographic discipline and visual composition skill**.
The final files must meet strict production standards for:
* Amazon KDP
* IngramSpark
This is **not basic formatting**. We expect **clean, consistent, press-ready output**.
Scope of Work
You will convert a completed manuscript (Microsoft Word) into a **fully formatted, print-ready book interior**.
Core Responsibilities:
* Build a **clean, consistent layout system** using Word Styles
* Format:
* Chapter openings
* Body text
* Scene breaks (* * *)
* Front matter & back matter
* Create a **Table of Contents (chapters only)**
* Apply **professional spacing, hierarchy, and pagination**
* Set correct **mirrored margins + gutter**
Chapter Graphic Integration (MANDATORY)
Each chapter includes **one graphic** that must be **intentionally designed into the layout**.
### Placement Standard (must be consistent across all chapters):
* Option A: Directly below chapter title
* Option B: After opening paragraph
You must **choose ONE system and apply it consistently**
### Integration Requirements:
* Graphics must feel **structural, not decorative**
* Maintain **balanced spacing before/after images**
* Ensure **no disruption to reading flow**
* Align visuals with margins and text grid
### Technical Requirements for Graphics:
* 300 DPI minimum
* Inline placement only (**no floating images EVER**)
* Proper scaling for 6” x 9” trim
* Clean rendering (no blur, compression, or distortion)
---
## ⚙️ Technical Specifications (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
### Document Setup
* Trim size: 6” x 9”
* Mirrored margins throughout
* Gutter set correctly based on final page count
* Widow/orphan control ON
### Typography
* Body font: Garamond (or equivalent)
* No drop caps
* First paragraph after chapter: no indent
* All subsequent paragraphs: consistent indent
### Layout Discipline
* Consistent line spacing and paragraph spacing
* Clean baseline rhythm across pages
* No visual drift between chapters
### Print Compliance
* 100% black text (no rich black)
* Final page count divisible by 4
* Export files:
* Print-ready PDF (KDP)
* PDF/X-1a (IngramSpark)
---
Deliverables
* Fully styled **.DOCX file (using Word Styles)**
* Print-ready **PDF (KDP compliant)**
* Print-ready **PDF/X-1a (IngramSpark compliant)**
* Optional: EPUB (bonus, not required)
---
Ideal Candidate
You:
* Have **real experience formatting books for print**
* Have worked with **image-integrated interiors**
* Understand **KDP + IngramSpark production standards**
* Are highly detail-oriented and systematic
* Work at an **advanced level in Microsoft Word**
---
Do NOT Apply If:
* You rely on Canva or template-based tools
* You use floating/wrapped images in Word
* You cannot explain DPI, margins, or print bleed
* You produce “good enough” formatting (this must be exact)
---
Application Requirements (MANDATORY)
Submit the following or your application will not be reviewed:
1. **2–3 PDF samples** of book interiors (must include images/graphics)
2. Platforms you’ve worked with (KDP, IngramSpark, etc.)
3. Brief explanation of your **Word styling workflow**
4. Turnaround time
5. Your rate (fixed or per page)
---
Project Details
* Manuscript length: ~[INSERT WORD COUNT / PAGE COUNT]
* Chapters: [INSERT NUMBER] (same number of graphics)
* Genre: [INSERT GENRE]
* Timeline: [INSERT DEADLINE]
Preferred (Not Required)
* Experience with **European/Norwegian typography**
* Ability to advise on **print cost optimization**
Final Note
We operate a **structured publishing pipeline**.
High-quality work will lead to **ongoing projects across multiple titles**.
---
We are hiring a **professional book interior layout designer** to produce a **print-ready, publication-grade interior** for a full-length manuscript.
This project includes **structured layout + integrated chapter graphics** (one per chapter), requiring both **typographic discipline and visual composition skill**.
The final files must meet strict production standards for:
* Amazon KDP
* IngramSpark
This is **not basic formatting**. We expect **clean, consistent, press-ready output**.
Scope of Work
You will convert a completed manuscript (Microsoft Word) into a **fully formatted, print-ready book interior**.
Core Responsibilities:
* Build a **clean, consistent layout system** using Word Styles
* Format:
* Chapter openings
* Body text
* Scene breaks (* * *)
* Front matter & back matter
* Create a **Table of Contents (chapters only)**
* Apply **professional spacing, hierarchy, and pagination**
* Set correct **mirrored margins + gutter**
Chapter Graphic Integration (MANDATORY)
Each chapter includes **one graphic** that must be **intentionally designed into the layout**.
### Placement Standard (must be consistent across all chapters):
* Option A: Directly below chapter title
* Option B: After opening paragraph
You must **choose ONE system and apply it consistently**
### Integration Requirements:
* Graphics must feel **structural, not decorative**
* Maintain **balanced spacing before/after images**
* Ensure **no disruption to reading flow**
* Align visuals with margins and text grid
### Technical Requirements for Graphics:
* 300 DPI minimum
* Inline placement only (**no floating images EVER**)
* Proper scaling for 6” x 9” trim
* Clean rendering (no blur, compression, or distortion)
---
## ⚙️ Technical Specifications (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
### Document Setup
* Trim size: 6” x 9”
* Mirrored margins throughout
* Gutter set correctly based on final page count
* Widow/orphan control ON
### Typography
* Body font: Garamond (or equivalent)
* No drop caps
* First paragraph after chapter: no indent
* All subsequent paragraphs: consistent indent
### Layout Discipline
* Consistent line spacing and paragraph spacing
* Clean baseline rhythm across pages
* No visual drift between chapters
### Print Compliance
* 100% black text (no rich black)
* Final page count divisible by 4
* Export files:
* Print-ready PDF (KDP)
* PDF/X-1a (IngramSpark)
---
Deliverables
* Fully styled **.DOCX file (using Word Styles)**
* Print-ready **PDF (KDP compliant)**
* Print-ready **PDF/X-1a (IngramSpark compliant)**
* Optional: EPUB (bonus, not required)
---
Ideal Candidate
You:
* Have **real experience formatting books for print**
* Have worked with **image-integrated interiors**
* Understand **KDP + IngramSpark production standards**
* Are highly detail-oriented and systematic
* Work at an **advanced level in Microsoft Word**
---
Do NOT Apply If:
* You rely on Canva or template-based tools
* You use floating/wrapped images in Word
* You cannot explain DPI, margins, or print bleed
* You produce “good enough” formatting (this must be exact)
---
Application Requirements (MANDATORY)
Submit the following or your application will not be reviewed:
1. **2–3 PDF samples** of book interiors (must include images/graphics)
2. Platforms you’ve worked with (KDP, IngramSpark, etc.)
3. Brief explanation of your **Word styling workflow**
4. Turnaround time
5. Your rate (fixed or per page)
---
Project Details
* Manuscript length: ~[INSERT WORD COUNT / PAGE COUNT]
* Chapters: [INSERT NUMBER] (same number of graphics)
* Genre: [INSERT GENRE]
* Timeline: [INSERT DEADLINE]
Preferred (Not Required)
* Experience with **European/Norwegian typography**
* Ability to advise on **print cost optimization**
Final Note
We operate a **structured publishing pipeline**.
High-quality work will lead to **ongoing projects across multiple titles**.