PRINT READY FILE
SETTING UP YOUR PRINT READY FILE
Use this guide to assist you with your next project. Please read carefully as this will assist you in passing your job from print -to-> production -to-> dispatch smoothly. This will avoid additional costs or delays. On occasions, some changes or corrections will need to be made to ensure your file is print ready. In this situation, we will contact the required person to amend file, however, we are limited to the amount of changes we can make to provided artwork, extensive changes may result in charges to you.
Supplying Your Files
We prefer files to be supplied as a high-quality PDF. When saving your document as a PDF always remember to embed your fonts and choose the highest available quality setting which is often referred to as “High-Quality Print” or “Press Quality”. We do not accept Word or Publisher files, as they are unstable document formats and rely on the operating system of a computer for things like fonts. Not all operating systems are the same; therefore, a PDF is the best way to avoid any issues.
We require all files to be supplied in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) format. If files are supplied in RGB we cannot guarantee colours will print the same. If you are concerned about the colour of your document, it is recommended to request a hard copy proof prior to going to print (charges may apply).
All pages must have at least 3mm bleed and crop marks with all fonts embedded.
All images are to be high resolution.
Please supply your file to the exact size of how it will be printed. Except for large format files, which can be made up at 25% of the final size.
Colour
The colours you see on your computer screen are made from a colour format of RGB (Red, Green, and Blue). Software programs such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator can convert all colours to CMYK. Make sure this is done before exporting your print-ready PDF. If spot colours are required, create a new spot colour swatch within your document using the Pantone colour table built within your desktop publishing application, leaving it checked as a spot colour.
What is Bleed and Crop Marks?
The term bleed is used for all objects that extend off the edge of your document. As there is a degree of movement when printing on any press, you should always create 3mm bleed on all edges where bleed is needed. Supplying your job without bleed may result in white lines when we trim it. Crop marks are guidelines included on artwork to ensure printed sheets are cropped/trimmed to the correct finished size. (refer to diagram on webpage titled 'Setup for Printing')
Embedded Fonts
In general, most fonts can be embedded but some fonts, usually those downloaded from the internet might have some usage restrictions. Check the PDF settings you are using to see if they have font options, if they do, select “embed all fonts” or “embed subset fonts”.
Images
All images contained within the artwork should be 300 dpi or more to avoid pixilated print or unclear/blurred images. Images sourced from the web are usually a low resolution (72 dpi) and are generally unsuitable for printing. Pictures may look reasonable on your computer screen, but when printed the difference in resolution will be very visible. Ensure that your images are at the correct size for the page, but still at 300 dpi. Keep in mind, if you enlarge an image it will lower its resolution.
Required Finished Print Size
When sending us your file, please make sure that the finished sized document you require is the size you send. For example, if you need a DL brochure (99 x 210), then the file you send should reflect this – a document setup at 99 x 210. If you need a folded brochure or spread (a ‘spread’ refers to viewing - the left and right pages connected as one), create each spread as 2 individual pages, for example an A3 (420 x 297 mm) brochure folded to A4 (210 x 297 mm) would need to be built as 4 A4 pages. There is no need to impose your artwork – we will take care of that for you.