As explained in our submission requirements, files that are uploaded to an online case submission as a DOC/DOCX or PDF* must follow the guidelines below. You can click here to see which products should be uploaded in these formats.
Required file format
Size and orientation
- A4 size only (no A3, US letter or custom sized pages).
- All pages must be portrait (no landscape pages).
Margins
- The left and right margins on every page must be at least 2.9cm to allow space for the information that we include in these margins on all items ordered or downloaded from our website.
- A top margin of at least 2.7cm must be left on all pages to allow for our reference number.
- A bottom margin of at least 2.7cm must be left on the first page to allow for our distribution footer.
Indents
- To ensure readability, indents must be set to 0cm.
Formatting
- Use a commonly used font, such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri, with a font size between 10pt and 14pt.
- Page numbers (if included) should be in the bottom right corner.
- Borders should not be included around pages.
- Any exhibits or appendices must be included in the same file as the main product.
- Do not include any blank pages.
Submitting a PDF?
If the product you are submitting is a PDF, please ensure it is unlocked with no Adobe Acrobat security settings applied.
When you're uploading a PDF* to your online case submission we check to make sure that the pages are all A4 size and portrait orientation. If any pages in your PDF don't meet these requirements you'll see a message on-screen telling you which pages need attention before you can upload them.
Fixing incorrectly sized pages
- go back to the original file (Word, Excel etc.) from which you created the PDF
- check the page setup for the page that we have told you needs attention
- ensure that it is set to A4 size and portrait orientation
- recreate the PDF file and upload it to your online case submission.
Fixing incorrectly orientated pages
If you’re using Adobe Acrobat Professional (full version, not free Reader):
- open your PDF
- go to the page that we have told you needs attention
- in the ‘Document’ menu select ‘Rotate pages’ and rotate the page so that it is portrait
- save the PDF and upload it to your online case submission.
If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Professional:
- go back to the original file (Word, Excel etc.) from which you created the PDF
- check the page setup for the page that we have told you needs attention
- ensure that it is set to A4 portrait
- recreate the PDF file and upload it to your online case submission.
Fixing a media or crop box that exceeds the page size
- go back to the original file from which you created the PDF
- make sure that the media and crop boxes are set to match the page size
- ensure that the page is set to A4 size and portrait orientation
- recreate the PDF file and upload it to your online case submission.
Having problems with your PDF?
Our Product Management Team are very experienced at dealing with PDFs. If you think you've fixed the problems with your PDF but still can't upload it please contact the team for help. Make sure you have your problem PDF and submission id number ready.
*Instructor presentation material (slides) that is uploaded as a PDF does not need to conform to these guidelines.
