Size, Bleed and Margins

Please ensure your artwork has the exact size of your printing product.  A bleed of 3mm must be added to every side, and we recommend a 3mm margin inside from the edge. Trimming can shift slightly in any direction, so be smart in how you prepare artwork near the trim line.

File Format

PDF is the preferred file format for supplying artwork.  You may use your preferred program to create artwork, as long as the program can export a final PDF suitable for printing.  We recommend using Adobe Creative Suite, and our blank templates with the correct specs.

Colour Format

Use a CMYK colour format in your artwork. If your artwork contains RGB colour, it will be automatically converted to CMYK which sometimes produces unexpected results.

Resolution

Use vector artwork for the best results, and 300dpi resolution for any images.  Lower resolutions will produce fuzzy or pixelated printing.

Black

For a rich and smooth black print, we recommend using a CMYK mix similar to 40,40,10,100.   Using a pure black (0,0,0,100) is suitable for type, but can appear less than “black” with backgrounds.

Multiple Pages

Booklets with multiple pages require a single PDF with each printed page represented by 1 page in your PDF.  For example, an 8pp booklet will need PDF artwork with 8 pages. Do not be concerned whether “page 1” will be on the same sheet as “page 8”, and just provide all of the pages in order (1-8) in a single PDF.

Read more about artwork for booklets & magazines.

Folding & Scoring

Folding and scoring is often placed in a standard position, eg folded in half.  If you require a custom placement for folding or scoring, please provide a separate proof document displaying exactly where the fold or score should be placed.  You may also want to describe the placement in your order notes.