Artwork Guidelines
We have prepared the following guide to assist you with your electronic file preparation and submission. If you have a specific problem that is not covered in this guide, or have other questions, please feel free to contact us. Incorrectly prepared files can cause delays in manufacturing.
Quick Checklist
All fonts to be included.
– Type is legible and crisp.
– Page layout is correct.
– Margins are set.
– Artwork matches the specified dimensions.
– All linked files, images, and fonts are placed in separate folders.
– Colors in CMYK mode.
Bleeds
A minimum of 2mm must be added to pictures and designs bleeding to the edge, so that there is no white space or border showing around the artwork. It is also important to keep text at least a 3mm away from the paper edge or the trim line to prevent accidental cropping.
Color Specifications
Print previews are not a safe and sure measuring tool for color accuracy. Colours on the file might be affected by monitor calibration, screen resolution and lighting, just to name a few. Many Pantone colors show a marked color shift when converted to four colour process.
To achieve the desired colour on press, digital files must reflect accurate colour models and percentage. Please make sure all colours are in CMYK mode for colour accuracy and a better quality output.
Image Resolutions
– All images and pictures should be 300 dpi. Minimum recommended resolution is 150 dpi (active resolution, i.e., resolution after scaling).
– Rasterized text or logos (line art) should be 1200 dpi.
Guidelines by Application
The following outlines the specific file requirements by application. If you have any questions, please contact our graphics department.
Adobe Photoshop
– Files should be 300 dpi at 100% of actual size for quality offset reproduction.
– Files should be saved in PDF format (Print ready PDFX4.)
Digital Proofs
We provide PDF files as electronic soft proofs. These digital proofs intend to show you the layout and design elements of your job, but cannot be a guarantee of color accuracy. If colour accuracy is of extreme importance to you, please ask for a hard copy proof. Scan all transparencies and line art at 100% of final size unless data size is prohibitive.