Help Center

General rules and common questions

Accepted File Resolution

Resolution, also known as DPI (Dots Per Inch) or PPI (Pixels Per Inch), can be described as the number of dots that fit horizontally and vertically into a one-inch space. Generally, the more dots per inch, the more detail captured and the sharper the resulting image. The resolution should be set to 300 dpi. Here are some points to keep in mind when creating files:
• Resolution for black and white printing should be 300dpi, ideally saved as grayscale or bitmap.
• Resolution for color printing should be 300dpi, saved as CMYK. If your job will print as spot colors, please ensure there is only one color call-out per spot color identified. Example: If your job prints with PMS 185 C, there should not be a PMS 185 U identified within the same file.
• To obtain areas of solid, rich black (not including text), use CMYK settings of 40% Cyan, 40% Magenta, 40% Yellow and 100% Black.

Accepted Color Mode

Color mode must be in CMYK to be a print ready file. If file(s) are submitted using any other color mode, such as RGB or Pantone, the file(s) will be converted to CMYK during preflighting. Conversion from one color standard to another may result in a colors shift or colors dropping out.

File Setup for Bleeds and Cutline

Bleeds are required in all artwork with an image extending to one of the borders. Add 0,3cm to each side to allow for cutting. For example, for a 21x29,7cm page with full bleed, the page size should be submitted at 21,6x30,3cm. At least 3mm on each edge of the product will be trimmed off during the cutting process. This will leave you a 21x29,7cm finished format. Your type (text) should be also 3mm inside the cut box on each side. This will guarantee your text to not be cut off from your artwork .
The cutting process for printed materials has a mechanical tolerance of about 0.5-1mm .

Font and Transparency

Fonts, transparencies and other effects used in vector format softwares (Illustrator and InDesign) must be flattened and the fonts outlined. Not flattening transparencies or outlining fonts may result in some text or graphics dropping out from your artwork.

Color accuracy

It is impossible to guarantee 100% color accuracy. However, you can maximize color quality by ensuring that all submitted files are in CMYK color mode and that the correct color calibration is set for the desired color match. You can prepare images in such programs as Photoshop and Illustrator in RGB, but you must convert them to CMYK in the PDF sent to us that we are to print from. When color fidelity is critical, we recommends that you order a hardcopy color proof. A hardcopy color proof, which can be ordered for most of our products, is the only way to ensure the color accuracy for your print job.

File Format

Our workflow for all prepress file processing is based on the PDF (Portable Document Format) Print-Ready PDF/X-1A AND PDF/X-4 Files. The PDF workflow is the industry standard for file submission and file processing and will likely continue as the industry standard for the foreseeable future. Creating high-quality press PDF files has never been easier, and there are countless resources online that you can read and view that will increase you knowledge as it relates to making acceptable PDF files for print. We will be glad to work with you or your suppliers to test and correctly configure your PDF files for proper print production. More details can be found here:
http://www.adobe.com/studio/print/pdfs/PDF_wp_A9_updates_july08.pdf
http://partners.adobe.com/public/asn/en/print_resource_center/Acrobat6PrintPress.pdf