Supplying Artwork Guide

This guide outlines issues you’ll need to consider when supplying artwork so as to avoid delays and ensure great quality print.

File formats

Regardless of what software is used to create your artwork, your final artwork file should be exported to a print-ready file format at an appropriate size, in the correct colour mode and featuring sufficient bleed area around the edge.

File size

The maximum file size that can be uploaded via our website is 100MB. This should be more than enough capacity to accommodate artwork at the required resolution for most of our products, provided an appropriate file format is used.

If for any reason you find you’re unable to upload your file, you can call our Design Team on 01702 460047 who’ll be able to diagnose the issue or organise an alternative way for you to supply your file.

It’s also important that your file is not too small. An image that appears fine on screen may lose quality when printed full size. Read our Resolution Guide for information on how to ensure your image quality is up to spec.

PDFs

PDFs.jpg

We request all our artwork to be supplied as high resolution (300dpi). It is important that you prepare your PDF file in the correct way. These options must be set for commercial printing:

  • Resolution - Choose High Resolution
  • Compression Settings - For colour and greyscale this should be downsampled to 300dpi with "auto compression" set on high
  • Font Embedding - Should be set to "embed all fonts"

Colour needs to be set as CMYK not RGB (RGB artwork will be converted to CMYK and this could affect your colours, see Colour Guide).

The colour profile needs to be set to FOGRA39.

Illustrator

Illustrator.jpg

Include all embedded images and convert all text to curves. Save as an EPS file.

Photoshop

Photoshop.jpg

Set Resolution to 300dpi when starting your new document. Save the file as either TIFF or JPEG.

Other files not listed above must be saved either as an EPS or JPEG.

If you need us to make changes to your file (JPEG / EPS), we will require you to re-supply new artwork as either a PSD, PDF or AI file as we are unable to make changes to flattened images (JPEG / EPS / TIFF).

InDesign

InDesign.jpg

Please ensure all fonts and pictures used in your artwork are supplied to us in a separate folder using the "package" function under the "file" menu. Use a compression tool such as Stuffit or WinZip before uploading your order or sending it via e-mail.

Please include a PDF to allow us to check that no elements are been moved or omitted in the final artwork. Please be aware, this additional proofing task can occasionally delay delivery.

Microsoft Documents

Unfortunately, we’re unable to use the following formats for printing:

  • Word
  • Excel
  • Powerpoint
  • Publisher
  • Works

As these applications aren’t designed to prepare print-ready artwork, we recommend you avoid them in favour of dedicated design software.

However, if you’re unable to create your artwork in any other program, it is possible to convert your Microsoft document from the proprietary file format into a print-ready PDF.

Below is a link to a free and easy-to-use website that can convert most image files into a useable PDF.

https://www.zamzar.com/

When you convert a Microsoft document into a PDF, it’s important to check that the colours still appear correct, that all text and design elements are present and that the image resolution is sufficient for print. For more information on resolution, see our Resolution Guide.

 

Colour

Any artwork that’s intended for print should be created in (or converted to) CMYK – not RGB. That’s because CMYK files achieve colours by mixing Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black) in the same way that printers mix inks to achieve colours on the page.

For handy information on the differences between CMYK and RGB colours, and how to convert your artwork into a print-ready format, take a look at our Colour Guide.

 

Trimming

Artwork Bleed

It is essential that there is a minimum 3mm bleed around your artwork to account for very slight variances during the trimming process.

For example, an A6 size product is 148 x 105 mm.

In order to supply artwork for this product, your file would need to be 154 x 111 mm

Any background colours or designs would need to extend right to the edge.

For further explanation of why we require a bleed area and how to avoid common mistakes, check out the Bleed Guide.

Crop marks

Adding crop marks to your artwork is not necessary. If you have experience designing for print, by all means, add them as correctly placed crop marks can save time and help us align your design.

However, as long as the artwork is supplied at the correct dimensions with a 3mm bleed on all sides, we’ll be able to set it up for print without crop marks.