IGP:LbL PDF (Line by Line PDF)

The world's first digital restoration format

Digital Restoration with IGP:LbL PDF

LbL PDF is a retrodigitization format designed for digital restoration of backlist books. When the source document quality is too low to create acceptable image-based Print on Demand output – LbL PDF is a real production option.

LbL PDF is created only from hardcopy print originals where the content line structure and typographical expression are preserved in the retro-digitization process.

Why?

One of the values for Print on Demand is maintaining the characteristics of the original book. This includes line and page progression, hyphenation styles and the book layout. If pages are re-flowed using typesetting techniques the original hyphenation is lost, and new hyphenation introduced. If this is not a problem, re-flowing on a page-by-page basis may be good enough. What LbL does not preserved is distorted and fuzzy fonts. The digitally restored text has the readability delivered by modern fonts and printing technologies.

LbL PDF is a production format solution that removes the requirement of subjective decision-making from reflowing books, and maintains the essential characteristics of the original.

How?

LbL PDF is created by fully digitizing the book into IGP:Foundation XHTML. The XHTML is then flowed through human supervised, semi-automated processors, for the final output. Special processors allow the evaluation of long lines for galley width setting, and every page is inspected and adjusted as required. Once IGP:Foundation XHTML digitization is complete it costs only a little more to create an LbL PDF (from suitable material) than an eBook.

The final layout is created using the advanced tagging set of IGP:Foundation XHTML in conjunction with modifiable CSS-2/3* stylesheets and renderers, and of course talented operators who fine tune the CSS for every page of each book.

Value

IGP:Foundation XHTML maintains the lineation, pagination and hyphenation of the original book as well as the content structure. An additional value of LbL is that it is generated from a powerful XHTML that can be used for standard eBook and online presentation formats and automated content object extraction.

Infogrid Pacific LbL processing is a format option for publishers who need cost effective Print on Demand or Print master PDF's for valuable content where near facsimile presentation is a value extension.

* Cascading Style Sheets. See http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-CSS2/

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any book be processed?

No. It is most suitable for books with linear galleys and limited multi-column structures. Arcane fonts and inline images may end up creating an “uneven” looking product. Books with multi-column structures and horizontal layouts (poetry & drama for example) increase the manual adjustments and cost. A lot of material is impractical for this technique.

Can it include Images?

Images such as page plates and figures, can be included but the quality of these will not exceed the quality of the source scan images. Inter and inline images generally exclude a book from the process due to excessive labour costs.

What about page sizes?

Books are normally reset to modern page sizes for printing. The font size can be changed to increase the galley area, but if done, is within very tight guidelines. The selection of original or new page sizes depends on each customers' requirement, and whether the print or POD vendor can trim to custom sizes. Margins may vary, but the galley presentation will be essential the same as the original.

Why would I want LbL PDF rather than a page reflowed PDF?

Probably because the content deserves the treatment and there is value in preserving lineation and pagination. Also for appropriate content, it doesn't cost any more than re-flowing a book and may even cost less.

How close to the original book does the LbL copy get?

From a content layout perspective, very close. Characters per line and lines per page match exactly. The choice of font(s) then define the look and feel. Depending on how many tightly kerned lines in the originals, the setting is generally a little more loose that the original. Font size may also be a little larger for readability.