Layout and design

Bleed:
Add at least 3 mm bleed around your design to prevent white edges after trimming. Extend background colors and images beyond the bleed area.

Margins:
Keep enough space for text and images. The recommended margin is 20 mm around the page edge. This prevents important content from being lost in the binding or positioned too close to the edge.

Font & Font Size:
Choose a clear and easily readable font, such as Arial or Times New Roman in 12 pt. This ensures optimal readability. Unsure about the size? Print an A4 sheet at 81% scale to see how it will look in thesis format (170 x 240 mm).

Grayscale and Black Values:
Grayscale is often used in tables, charts, titles, and chapter pages. Since gray is a percentage of black, we recommend a minimum black value of 10% and a maximum of 90%. Lighter tones than 10% may not show up well in print, while values above 90% appear almost black.

Want your images printed in grayscale? We can convert them, but they may appear darker than expected. That’s why we recommend saving images directly in grayscale for optimal contrast and detail balance.

CMYK vs RGB – Color Use in Print:
Screens use the RGB color model (Red, Green, Blue) to display colors, while print uses CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). RGB has a wider color spectrum than CMYK, so colors may appear more vibrant on screen than in print.

Images in RGB are automatically converted to CMYK, which can alter color nuances. Want to ensure accurate colors in your thesis? Save images directly in CMYK and check a proof print to assess the final result.

These guidelines ensure your thesis looks its best in both black-and-white and color printing.

Resolution:
To display an image sharply in print, we recommend a minimum resolution of 300 DPI at actual size. Images below 150 DPI are considered low resolution and may appear blurry or pixelated. Always check your image resolution before submitting your thesis. Not sure? Request a proof print to check the result.

Pixel or Vector?
Images can be pixel-based (bitmap) or vector-based. Pixel images, such as .jpg, .tiff, and .png, consist of thousands of tiny dots (pixels). The quality of these images depends on resolution, measured in DPI (dots per inch). The higher the resolution, the sharper the image.

Note: Enlarging a pixel image stretches the pixels, reducing quality.
Vector images, such as logos and illustrations in .ai or .eps format, consist of lines and shapes that remain razor-sharp at any size. These files are ideal for graphics such as logos, line drawings, and diagrams. For the best print quality, we recommend using vector files whenever possible.

Line Thickness:
Thin lines may fade or become unclear in print. We recommend lines be at least 0.25 pt thick to ensure visibility. Lines thinner than 0.25 pt may break or become illegible. A standard line in Word or InDesign is never thinner than 0.25 pt, but always double-check in your design software.

These guidelines help ensure that images and graphic elements in your thesis are sharp and professional.

Size and Placement:
Ensure images are properly aligned and fall within the safe zone of the page. Images too close to the edge may be cut off unintentionally.

Captions:
Add clear captions under images and use a consistent font and size that matches the rest of your text.

A well-designed cover completes your thesis. Keep the following details in mind:

Front Cover:
At a minimum, include the title, author’s name, and university.

Back Cover:
Often features a summary of the thesis, a brief biography of the author, or the university’s logo.

Spine:
Usually includes the (shortened) title and the author’s name. Ensure proper alignment so the text remains easily readable when the thesis is on a bookshelf.
➤ Calculate the spine width here.

Optional: Bookmark
Want to add an extra detail? We provide a matching bookmark free of charge with your thesis. It’s often used as an invitation for the defense, with the date, time, and location.

Number all pages consistently and ensure page numbers are correctly positioned within the margins.

Odd page numbers always appear on the right-hand page.

Each new chapter begins on a right-hand page, even if that means the previous left-hand page is blank.

Use Roman numerals for preliminary sections and Arabic numerals starting from the chapters.

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique code used worldwide to identify books. While not required for a thesis, it can be useful if you want to distribute copies via libraries or bookstores. It makes your thesis easily searchable and officially registered.

➤ Request your ISBN here!

➤ Download a sample cover here
➤ Download our templates for InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator here
➤ View a thesis sample here