How to View Your Layout or 3D Book Proof

Once you’ve uploaded your files to Bookvault, you can use the Layout Proof and 3D Proof to check how your cover and interior files have been processed.

These tools allow you to review your book against the bleed and safety areas before approving your files.

Viewing your Layout or 3D Proof

Go to View Your Titles and find the title you want to check.

Select Files to open the file management area. From here, you can choose either the Layout Proof or 3D Proof and switch between the two preview options.

Larger files may take a couple of minutes to load.

What does the 3D Proof show?

The 3D Proof gives you a three-dimensional representation of your book.

You can move the book around and view it from different angles to get an idea of how your supplied cover and interior files will appear.

When creating a new title, you'll also see a 3D book preview alongside your specification options, which updates as you select your binding, book size, paper and other available options.

What does the Layout Proof show?

The Layout Proof allows you to inspect your files in more detail.

You can review your front and rear cover, or jacket where applicable, and use the arrows to navigate through your title.

Your interior can be viewed as bound pages or individual pages.

You can also view the bleed and safety information and toggle this information on or off using the eye icon.

Approving your files

Once you've finished checking your files, close the preview.

If you've uploaded files for the first time or supplied new files, Bookvault will prompt you to approve them.

Why can't I view my Layout or 3D Proof?

If your files are still Pending Validation, the proof options won't yet be available.

Select Validate Now next to the relevant title. Once your files have been successfully validated, allow around 10 minutes for the proof options to become available.

Viewing a proof for a Bookvault Publishing Project

For a Bookvault Publishing Project, you'll need to have reached the Files Supplied stage.

If you haven't supplied your files yet, select Upload Now.

Once your files have been uploaded and verified, you'll be able to access the proofing options.

If you've already uploaded files, select Replace Files to access the files page.

Why does my Publishing Project look inactive or stop me ordering another proof?

If your Bookvault Publishing Project appears inactive or you can't order another proof copy, check whether your virtual proof is still Awaiting Approval.

Go to View Your Titles, find the relevant title and approve the outstanding virtual proof.

Once the proof has been approved, return to your Publishing Projects dashboard. You should then be able to continue with the project and order another proof copy where required.

Is the virtual proof exactly how my printed book will look?

The virtual proof is a representation of your book and isn't a guarantee of the exact finished result.

Manufacturing tolerances can result in a few millimetres of movement during production.

The virtual proof may also not identify issues involving transparency or file layering, so it's important to thoroughly check your supplied PDFs.