July 2014

We are often asked “How should we submit our artwork” and other similar questions.

Below is a FAQ that we have compiled over the years to help our clients!

Preparing Files

Our preferred files are Adobe Acrobat PDF which can be used with both Mac and PC. Make sure you choose the Press-Ready setting for hi-resolution print. If supplying other programs, please include all original image and graphic files imported into your document.

CMYK or RGB

Our printers use CMYK format so please convert all your colours from RGB (standard setting) to CMYK. If converting a Pantone colour to CMYK make sure you check the CMYK colour is equivalent to the original colour. Your screen will give you a rough idea of what colour to expect but please see a Pantone Colour Conversion guide for the exact colour.

Images and Pictures

We suggest the following correct resolution and formats for your images: –

• Websites
  72 dpi – RGB
• Newspaper
  120-200 dpi – Grayscale
• Magazine
  300-350 dpi CMYK
• Brochures
  350-400 dpi – CMYK
• Large Format
  72-100 dpi – CMYK/RGB

Paper Weights

A paper’s thickness is measures in grammes per square metre (GSM) or microns (MIC)

• 80-100 gsm
  Standard light weight paper used for letterheads, documents, manuals and digital & laser printing
• 100-120 gsm
  Opaque sheet ideal for letterheads and corporate stationery
• 115 – 170gsm
  Gloss, Silk or Matt coated paper ideal for leaflets, flyers, brochures, newsletters and documents
• 200 gsm
  Light weight coated paper used for brochures, leaflets and report & accounts
• 250 gsm
  Mid-weight coated board used for covers, postcards, wallet folders and calendars
• 300 – 350gsm
  Heavy weight coated board ideal for covers, wallet folders, certificates and point-of-sale
• 400 gsm
  White ivory board used for business cards

Fonts

There are so many different font variants and styles, so please supply us with all fonts used in your job – that’s both printer and screen fonts. If printer fonts are missing we will not be able to print your job.

Confused about which paper to use? We have produced a useful guide to help you make a choice.

There are many different textures, feel and appearances of paper, below is a definition of the different finishes:

• Coated
  A paper with a waxy finish on both sides. Gloss, Silk & Matt papers are generally used for Brochures, Company Publications, Catalogues, leaflets, Posters and Postcards
• Uncoated
  A paper with an untreated surface that is dull and unreflective. Commonly used for Letterheads, Stationery, Envelopes, Business cards, Newsletters and Documents
• Cast Coated
  A premium ultra high gloss paper or board coated one or both sides. Used mainly for Covers, Postcards and Document covers
• Wove
  A high quality smooth uncoated surface. Ideal for Letterheads and Corporate Stationery
• Laid
  With a textured surface this high quality paper is used for Letterheads and Corporate Stationery
• Linen
  Similar to Laid with a finer and more regular texture. Also ideal for Letterheads and Corporate Stationery
• Laser
  An uncoated paper guaranteed or compatible with digital and laser copying

Trims and Bleeds

Make sure all bleeds extend 5 – 10mm beyond the edge of your finished document

It is always useful to provide us with a mock-up as a guide for printing.

Don’t worry if you don’t do all of these steps or don’t understand them. We can work with any file you provide. Give us what you can and we’ll call you if we have any questions.