Artwork help and Print Specifications
We know that it can be difficult to understand all the requirements for artwork, but we are here to help you. We will take a look at any file you have. But don't worry! We are happy to take a look at any files you have. Just send them in, and we will tell you if they are ready for print or if they need some work. If they need some work, we will work with you to get them fixed up.
It’s important to optimise your artwork for print. If you have not created artwork for printing, please talk to us early in the process. We are experienced and can help you with your artwork.
Press Ready Files
"Press Ready" or "Print Ready" means the PDF is ready to be printed. The file has been setup to match the size that was ordered, with an additional 3mm bleed added on all sides and trim marks included. The colour mode is set to CMYK, no spot colours in the file. Images should have a resolution of 300dpi. All text, paths, and strokes have been converted to outlines. Transparencies have been flattened, and overprint is switched off.
Bleed
We recommend that you have 3mm of bleed on all sides. Bleed is part of the artwork that extends past the trim edges. So if you want a card to be cut as 90mm x 55mm, your artwork will be 96mm x 61mm. This way, we will have a buffer when printing, and you won't end up with white edges. For larger signage, we recommend a 10mm bleed on all sides.
Safe Area
The space from the trim edges to any important elements in the artwork should be 3-5mm. This is called a safe area. What this means that all your important information (like text and logos) would not risk being cut off. For booklets, you will need a bit more space: 6mm for up to 30 pages, 10mm for 32-50 pages, and 12mm for over 50 pages.
CMYK
Make sure to set the colour mode to CMYK, not PMS colours, RGB, LAB, etc. All other colours will be converted to CMYK, which will change how they look. You can use PMS colours if your job has been specifically quoted that way.
Rich Black
For large areas of black, we strongly recommend using CMYK Rich Black. This will ensure a nice solid result. The following are a good mixtures for CMYK Rich Black:
- Heavy card stock – 60 / 50 / 50 / 100
- Lighter weight stock – 30 / 20 / 20 / 100
On-Screen
Be aware that colours may appear different on a computer screen than they are when printed. They might also look different if you print a sample on your home or office printer. If you want to make sure of the colours, ask for a proof or mock-up before printing the main run (which might cost extra).
Font
All fonts need to be converted to outlines or embedded before printing. This is so the right font prints on your job. If you don't do this, a different font might be used instead. Note that you will not be able to edit the text after converting it to outlines.
Got something to print?