Here are a few guidelines 
to supplying artwork...

PDF Files

This is our preferred file format for printing. We request PDFs to be supplied as high resolution (300dpi) and single pages. Please ensure the files are in document order and not in spreads or printers pairs.

There are options which must be set for commercial printing:

  • Resolution: Choose ‘Press Quality’ or ‘High Resolution’.
  • Fonts: All fonts must be embedded or outlined.
  • Printers Marks: Trims offset 3mm with 3mm bleed.
PDF icon for downloadable document
Detailed schematic of industrial trimming equipment

Artwork Bleed

It is essential that there is a 3mm bleed around your artwork.

Bleed refers to any artwork where colours or images are going to the edge of the page. You must provide additional colour or image outside the trim area. This allows for trimming to the final size.

  • We would advise that any text or borders are 3mm or more away from the edge of the page.
  • All trim and registration marks need to be outside the 3mm bleed area.

Colour

  • Colour needs to be set as CMYK not RGB. RGB artwork will be converted to CMYK and this could affect the final appearance of your colours.
  • Convert spot colours to CMYK in your original artwork if your job is to be printed in 4 colour process.
  • Be aware that some spot colours do not have an exact CMYK equivalent. We advise checking your colours in the appropriate Pantone Guide*.
  • Please note that colours will reproduce differently on coated and uncoated stock. These can be seen in the appropriate Pantone Guide*.
  • Cutter, creasing and perforating guides should be specified as a spot colour and set to overprint.

* If you do not have access to Pantone Guide books please do not hesitate to contact us.

Various vibrant colour swatches on display
Screenshot of various digital files

Sending Files To Us

  • You can send files to us via Email, DropBox, Memory Stick, DVD or via the internet using any of the free cloud-based file transfer services available such as WeTransfer, MailBigFile etc.
  • If sending by email you may need to compress the document before uploading or sending. Emailed files must be less than 10mb in total. All trim and registration marks to be outside the 3mm bleed area.

Remember...

  • We do not recommend using Photoshop to create artwork with text content as it will not reproduce as sharply as vector text created in programmes such as InDesign and Illustrator.
  • Check the resolution of your photographs before placing them into your artwork. We recommend 300dpi at finished print size for the best results.
  • If you require a large format poster or banner and you are not supplying the artwork at the finished size, please ensure that the content will scale without loss of resolution.
  • When creating artwork for a roll folded publication, such as a 6pp DL leaflet, please bear in mind that the fold-in page needs to be trimmed slightly shorter, typically 3mm, to enable correct folding.
  • If you wish to make changes after you have supplied PDFs as artwork we would require you to supply a new PDF incorporating any revisions.
  • The colours you see on your screen will not be an accurate representation of how they will appear on the printed sheet.
  • If your finished publication is to be wiro bound, stapled, perforated or drilled, please ensure your margin allows for this.
  • If supplying original artwork from a programme such as InDesign, please ensure all fonts and links used in your artwork are supplied to us in a separate folder using the ‘Package’ function under the ‘File’ menu.