The Settings Tab

Modified on Thu, 14 Mar at 10:52 AM

Page dimensions are set on the Settings tab.

Page dimension options are set when you start a new project, and can be reset at any time as you work on your project. Resize pages will auto-fit your layouts to the new dimensions, but it is best to double-check the results as a few small changes to photo position may be required.

Custom Page Sizes versus Printing Partner Presets

Your selected project tile determines what presets and page types you will see when you access the Settings tab.

Your specified geographic region will also determine which printing partners are shown on the Settings tab.

Some memento Photo Album customers may have downloaded their software from their preferred printing partner. In this case, you will only see the printing company's preset products.

To use a printing partner product, select the company listing of your choice, then select one of their products on the bottom pane.

Choosing a printing partner product may also limit your ability to render your project to a particular file type, or to upload only to that printing company. Only choose a printing company's preset product if you intend on printing with that company.

To set your own dimensions, click on Custom. Use this option to creating a product to be printed by a company other than a listed printing partner or to print using your own equipment.

When setting up custom page sizes, be sure to consult with your printing service directly to determine their exact specifications - page sizes, margins, safe/bleed values, cover size & spine width, file format, and resolution.

Choose one of the standard formats in the lower pane below the page preview to use a template as a starting point. Change the dimensions to your required sizes on the right side of the page as described below.

Custom Dimensions Options

Default Random Layouts

When using album wizard and auto-layout tools, your pages will either be generated one page/side at a time, or across a double page spread.

Choose Double to respect the center line or Spread to design across it.

Default Margins

Margins are custom guidelines which delineate your design area. Margins are set to the top and bottom of the page and to the edge and gutter of each side of the page.

Use margins to create negative space (padding) around your composition, giving your composition a more dramatic visual impact. Auto-layouts will use the margins to position frames within their boundaries.

The example below shows two pages, one with a small equal-sized margin applied to all four sides of the page, and another with larger edge margins with more padding on the top and bottoms of the page.

Note that you may custom adjust your margins while editing your individual page by dragging on the margin tabs on the ruler's edge. Margins are discretional guidelines that may be changed on a per page basis.

Printable Area

The printable area is defined by your printing company's requirements. These include the type, size and number of pages allowed.

Type of Book: Albums traditionally are composed of a single first page (front inside cover), a series of double pages, and a single last page (back inside cover). Some albums start on a double-spread. Choose whichever option applies to your printer's needs.

Choose Spreads+Single First/Last to add a single page at the start and end of your album (recommended as it is the norm).

Here is an example of the single first page used as an inside cover:

Choose Spreads only if you wish to design only double-page spreads.

Number of pages: Set the minimum and maximum number of pages for your album as per your printer's recommendations.

If your album has a set page number range, a warning will appear in the Editor if you try to add too many pages.

Warnings will also appear if you are over or under your target in the Review section.

Page size: Specify the finished (trimmed) size of a double-spread. You can also specify the units of measure.

Changing from inches to centimetres will not convert from one unit of measure to another. (eg; 10 inches will not be converted to 25.4 centimetres - it will register as 10 centimetres.)

Safe and Bleed Zones: A safe inset is a guideline to indicate the maximum area where "meaningful" content on your page will not be cut off during the printing and binding process. A bleed inflate slightly increases the size of your page so that any background color or photos extend past the edge of the page. This guarantees that there will not be any unprinted paper around the edge of your trimmed page.

As designated by your printing service, enter the safe and bleed zones values for your page.

Cover settings

The Cover settings are set in the same manner as Page settings, except that a spine value is added. Note that the Width and Height dimensions refer to the entire trimmed cover, including spine.

Spine widths vary on the total number of pages in your book: more pages = thicker spine. Your printing company will be able to provide correct dimensions for your cover, based on the size of your finished book (eg. a spine width for a 21-40 page book, versus a 41-61 page book).

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