What is a project black book?
A "black book" is the hardbound printed copy of your final year project report. It is called a black book because the binding cover is traditionally black with gold or silver lettering. This is the official document you submit to your college at the end of your project, and it is kept in the department library as a permanent record.
Most Indian universities require students to submit two to three copies of the black book — one for the department library, one for the project guide, and one for the student. Some universities require additional copies for the examination section.
Black book cover specifications
The front cover of your black book should include the following information, printed in gold or silver lettering on a black hardbound cover:
- Project title — in bold, centered, upper portion of the cover
- University name — below the title
- Degree and branch — example: "Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)" or "Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering"
- Student name(s) and enrollment number(s)
- Academic year — example: 2025-2026
- College name and logo — at the bottom
The spine of the book should include the project title and year, printed vertically so it is readable when the book is shelved.
Page order inside the black book
The pages inside the black book must follow this exact order:
- Blank page — the first page is always blank (it is glued to the inside of the front cover)
- Title page — same information as the cover, plus the department name and submission month/year
- Certificate page — signed by your project guide, head of department, and (if required) external examiner. This page confirms that the project is your original work.
- Declaration page — a signed statement by you declaring that the project is your own work and has not been submitted elsewhere
- Acknowledgment page — thank your guide, department, parents, and anyone who contributed
- Abstract — 150-250 word summary of the entire project
- Table of contents — auto-generated with page numbers
- List of figures — all diagrams, screenshots, charts with page numbers
- List of tables — all tables with page numbers
- List of abbreviations — technical terms used
- Chapter 1 through Chapter 7 — the main project report content
- References — in IEEE format
- Appendices — source code, user manual, etc.
- Blank page — the last page is blank (glued to inside back cover)
Printing specifications
- Paper size: A4 (210 x 297 mm)
- Paper quality: 80 GSM or higher bond paper
- Printing: single-sided (most universities). Some accept double-sided to save paper.
- Font: Times New Roman, 12pt for body text, 14pt bold for headings
- Line spacing: 1.5
- Margins: Left — 1.5 inches (for binding), Top/Bottom/Right — 1 inch
- Page numbers: bottom center. Preliminary pages use Roman numerals (i, ii, iii). Chapters use Arabic numerals starting from 1.
- Color printing: required for diagrams, screenshots, and figures. Text pages can be in black and white.
Binding specifications
- Cover material: hard board with rexine or leatherette finish
- Cover color: black (most common), dark blue, or maroon depending on university. Check your department guidelines.
- Lettering: gold or silver foil stamping on the front cover and spine
- Binding type: perfect binding (glue-based) or case binding. Spiral binding is not accepted.
- Cost: typical binding costs range from Rs.150-400 per copy at local print shops near colleges
Pro tip: Get a quote from 2-3 print shops near your college. Shops near technical universities handle hundreds of black books every semester and know the exact specifications. Ask for a sample to check quality before committing.
Common black book mistakes
- Wrong page order — the certificate page must come before the acknowledgment. Declaration before acknowledgment.
- Missing signatures — get your guide's and HOD's signatures on the certificate page before binding. You cannot add signatures after binding.
- Incorrect margins — if the left margin is too small, text gets hidden in the binding
- No page numbers on preliminary pages — even preliminary pages should be numbered (in Roman numerals)
- Printing screenshots in black and white — screenshots must be in color to be readable
- Spine text missing or unreadable — the spine should have the project title and year
- Binding before final approval — always get your report reviewed and approved by your guide before binding
University-specific requirements
Different universities have specific requirements for the black book:
- AKTU — requires black cover with gold lettering. Two copies (department + student).
- VTU — accepts both black and dark blue covers. Requires CD/DVD with source code in a pocket inside the back cover.
- Mumbai University — requires three copies. Certificate page must include external examiner's signature obtained during viva.
- Anna University — specific format for the title page including the university registration number.
- JNTU — requires Turnitin plagiarism report to be included before the abstract.
Always check your university's official project submission guidelines. The specifications above are general — your university may have additional or different requirements.
Checklist before binding
Use this checklist before sending your report for binding:
- All signatures collected (guide, HOD, external examiner if required)
- Table of contents page numbers are correct
- All figures and tables are numbered and listed
- Page numbers are continuous and correct
- Left margin is 1.5 inches throughout
- Diagrams and screenshots are printed in color
- References are complete and in IEEE format
- Spell check completed on all pages
- Source code appendix is included
- CD/DVD prepared (if required by university)
Download our black book checklist
We have created a detailed checklist PDF that you can print and use while preparing your black book. It covers all the specifications above plus additional tips for a professional-looking submission. Fill in the form below to download.