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    A Printing Digital company.

    Artwork Instructions

    Need help getting your files ready for print?

    Document Colors

    • Use CMYK color mode to prepare your files, not RGB.
    • Set the font color to 100% K instead of 4c for black text.
    • Enter the desired Pantone or HKS colors in to the color channel when using special colors
    • Instructions for special colors: Create areas with another process color (CMYK) overlaying a special color using knockout instead of overprinting. Special colors over a CMYK color should be created using knockout.
    • Use greyscale color mode when ordering a greyscale item.
    • Create grey areas in shades of black to ensure a perfect print result in greyscale.

    Files in Original Size

    • Create your files for print in their original size (the final trim size).
    • Artwork that is too small or too large has to be scaled to the correct print size, usually without edge trimming (bleed). This results in a reduced quality final result.

    The Right Trim/Bleed

    • Always add trim/bleed to your files to allow leeway for cutting differences in production.
    • Our standard trim allowance is 2mm.
    • Envelopes: 1mm
    • Advertising technology products, presentation folders, packaging & calendars: 3mm.
    • Textile stretcher frames: 15mm.

    Safety Margin

    • For best results, keep all of your important content at least 3mm away from the edge of the finished size.
    • Keep at least 20mm away from the binding edge on spiral bound calendars or brochures.
    • Make sure background pictures, colors and layouts do extend in to the bleed area to prevent white lines as a result of cutting tolerances.

    Page Numbers

    • Check all of your superfluous pages have been deleted.
    • For multi-page files, create each page in sequential order, starting with page 1 (front page) and continuing on until the last page (back page).

    Image Resolutions

    • Graphics, images & pictures should be 250 dpi.
    • Color images & greyscales – 250 dpi.
    • Line artwork (drawings & text in a small font size) – 1.200 dpi.
    • Advertising technology & ad posters with text – 150 dpi.
    • Advertising technology products – 72 dpi.

    Line Weights

    • All lines should be at least 0.22 pt.
    • We automatically increase lines that are too thin to a printable weight (except lines that are set to exactly 0 pt).
    • Don’t use borders as a way to define layouts as due to mechanical tolerances these might be cut into and show up on the final product.

    File Formats

    • Save your files in print ready, vector file formats such as PDF, EPS, AI, PS, JPG, TIF.
    • Reduce all layers in to a single, flat, background layer.

    Embedded Fonts & Paths

    • Convert all of your fonts & paths to outlines to prevent printing problems (or if we do not have the exact font on our systems).
    • Allow sufficient contrast between font colors and background colors.