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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.