Artwork Specifications for Full Colour Printing
PDF – Portable Document Format
We can only accept “print ready” artwork in PDF (Adobe Portable Document Format).

A large number of artwork creation applications/tools will allow you to save or print your artwork in PDF format. There is also software tools that allow you to create PDF file(s) simply by printing to a PDF printer. Probably the best known is Adobe Acrobat which incorporates Adobe Distiller. Adobe Acrobat integrates seamlessly with your desk top applications allowing you to create PDF(s) directly from your artwork application.
For more information on Adobe Acrobat click here: www.adobe.com/products/acrobat

We have listed the most important requirements for the preparation of your artwork.

Colours

Colours must be set to CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) this is because these are the colours used in the printing process. The colours used to display your artwork on screen are made up of Red, Green and Blue (RGB) and it is not always possible to match the RGB colour range with CMYK. If you supply us RGB artwork we will convert it to CMYK but the colours may not be as you might expect!

Image Resolution

Colours must be set to CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) this is because these are the colours used in the printing process. The colours used to display your artwork on screen are made up of Red, Green and Blue (RGB) and it is not always possible to match the RGB colour range with CMYK. If you supply us RGB artwork we will convert it to CMYK but the colours may not be as you might expect!

Colours

PDF files that include images need to have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch), if not the images may appear pixilated or unclear. Image resolution for the web only requires 72 dpi which can look perfectly acceptable on screen or when printed on a desk top printer but are not generally suitable for professional printing.

Fonts

All fonts should be embedded in your PDF file. This is to make sure that the font(s) you used in the creation of your artwork are replicated when printed. If you do not embed the fonts, the fonts will be substituted and may not match those used in your artwork! When you create your PDF the fonts are generally embedded but please check before sending us your PDF(s).

Bleed

Bleed refers to printing that goes beyond the edge of the media after trimming. The bleed is the part on the side of your document that gives us that small amount of space to move around paper and design inconsistencies. If for example, you want the background of your business card to be entirely red, you must extend or bleed the background beyond the edge of the final size of your business card. This also applies to images that you want to extend to the edge of your media. If you do not add bleed you may end up with a fine white line down one or more edges of your print! Please include at least 3.0mm bleed on each side of your artwork. Please also make sure you keep your text a few millimeters from the edge of your artwork.

Artwork Size & Trimming

The finished printing size is shown in the following table. When creating your artwork you must include trim marks and increase the artwork size to include the trim marks and allow for 3.0mm for bleed.
Product Finished Size (After Trimming)
Business Card – 90mm x 55mm
Compliment Slips – 210mm x 99mm
A7 Leaflets – 74mm x 105mm
A6 Leaflets – 105mm x 148.5mm
A5 Leaflets – 148mm x 210mm
A4 Leaflets – 210mm x 297mm
A3 Leaflets – 297mm x 420mm

Supplying Artwork

PDF Files can be uploaded using the web site, via email or via post. If you don’t upload your PDF(s) when placing your order you will receive a request via email.

Supplying a proof

Please supply a proof with your artwork, this ideally needs to be in a Jpeg or png format in order that we can check your artwork has not been corrupted in transit.