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Supplying artwork can be easy! Just follow these four simple points and you will be bang on with your artwork:
We accept many formats, as shown below, but our preferred are PDF and JPEG files. See below for instructions on how to correctly save PDF files.
Key point 1) For high-quality print output, save your files at 300ppi, which indicates pixels per inch. Anything less than 300ppi may result in prints that are dotted or fuzzy.
Key point 2) Always save your artwork at the final print size. If you send artwork saved at a smaller size and want it enlarged, the quality will suffer. We can scale artwork down without issue, but enlarging it can compromise resolution, affecting sharpness and clarity.
Whenever possible, save your artwork in CMYK color mode, as these are the inks used in printing. We can convert files to CMYK, but this might alter the colors and potentially impact the print quality. Designing in CMYK from the start provides a better preview of the final appearance.
Bleed is the extra area around your design that extends beyond the final trim line. We print and then trim this area to prevent white edges, ensuring a clean, seamless look. Usually, a 3mm bleed on all sides is recommended. For example, an A6 flyer with a finished size of 105 x 148mm will be supplied with a 111 x 154mm artwork size to accommodate bleed.
We prefer all artwork to be supplied as high-resolution PDF format with fonts embedded.
PDF's are rapidly becoming the standard file format for transmitting files for printing, but it is important to prepare your PDF file in the correct way.
Correct Preparation of PDF Files
When creating a PDF in Acrobat Distiller, it's essential to configure job options for commercial printing. This includes setting the default resolution, compression parameters, and font embedding. Aim to generate a 300dpi PDFx1a 'print' or 'press-ready' file whenever possible. Include a 3mm bleed, crop marks, and supply the document as individual pages. Make sure to select high resolution settings. For colour and greyscale images, downsample to 300dpi with "auto compression" set to high. Monochrome (bitmapped line art) images should be at 600dpi. Additionally, set font embedding to "embed all fonts."
Bleed and Crop Marks
An essential aspect of print-ready artwork! Make sure to include a 3mm bleed around your PDF, which means adding 6mm to each measurement. For example, for A4 size (210mm x 297mm), save it as 216mm x 303mm. Crop marks should be added if the artwork does not cover the entire page (no bleed). These marks should be 5mm long, positioned 3mm outside the page boundary, and colored in 'registration' to show on each color separation.
Please make sure the artwork is supplied at the correct final size. If that's not possible, inform us in advance so we have time to make adjustments. If your artwork is submitted without bleed, we might not be able to add it later, and you may need to revise and re-submit the file artwork.
CMYK not RGB Please!
Please ensure that all embedded images are CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) files. RGB images may look good on your screen but final output to print is always in CMYK. One should be aware that files converted from RGB to CMYK may alter the colour composition significantly!
Microsoft Office Files
When converting a PDF from a MS Publisher or Word document, ensure that spot colours are accurately created in your original files. Avoid using RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colours, as they cannot be printed in that format.
Press ready PDF - with fonts embedded, for best results high resolution 300dpi.
Quark Express – Collect for Output and zip fonts, images and Quark file in one file. Or output 'Press Ready' PDF from Quark.
Illustrator – fonts converted to outlines and supplied as AI or EPS files. Or output 'Press Ready' PDF from Illustrator.
Freehand – fonts converted to paths.
Photoshop – layers flattened, at least 300 dpi, JPEG, PDF or Tiff. Remember to include 3mm bleed. PSD files can be supplied - please advise if your artwork contains layers.
Corel Draw – fonts converted to Curves then export as Illustrator AI file.
InDesign - fonts converted to outlines. Save as a 'Package' and zip the fonts, images and inDesign file in one file. Or output 'Press Ready' PDF from inDesign.
Raster or Pixel Based Programmes - ie Photoshop/Paint/Gimp. Export as Tiff, JPeg or PNG. Ensure the original artwork is 'press ready' at 300dpi and includes 3mm bleed.
Supplying Native Files - When supplying native files e.g. Quark Express, please ensure all elements, document, images and fonts are in one folder and please compress using Stuffit or similar to .sit or zip files before sending.
Artwork in Different Formats - If you wish to submit artwork created using a program not listed above we will try to accommodate you, but please call us to discuss first on 01903 742003
Supplying EPS Files
Any file formats not mentioned earlier should be saved as an EPS or JPEG. If there are any modifications to the job, you might need to update and resubmit the artwork, as we may not be able to make changes later. Make sure your files include bleed and crop marks. Also, verify the final artwork size and provide a hard copy for reference.
Fonts
Include all fonts you have used in the file. Whilst we have an extensive font collection, there is no guarantee the version you have used matches ours. This can create problems with line lengths and spacing of the type.
At A Local Printer we assume that all the fonts supplied are licensed and takes no responsibility for embedded fonts.
Lineart and Images
Scanned colour and greyscale images should be 300dpi at the final size in the document submitted for output.
Images should be submitted as TIFF's, JPEG's or EPS.
Lineart (bitmapped) should be 600-1200dpi at the final size in the document submitted for output.
Screens
Screen tints may range from 99% down to 1%. From a practical printing viewpoint, anything above 90% or less than 5% will generally not be visible to the naked eye.
Please do not supply imposed pages or "printers pairs" because our workflow includes imposition software to impose correctly for our printing processes.
Booklets
If you are supplying a document with multiple pages, please try and make the front and back cover of the document a separate file, and supply as single pages in page order. Also, please remember to allow for "creep" - we suggest you keep all text and copy at least 5mm away from the trimmed edge.
Our prices include "pre-flight checking" your artwork and submitting a PDF proof for your approval. We will correct any easy to rectify issues that we spot as part of this process - free of charge.
If we need to amend your artwork or you need to re-submit corrected files to us there may be an additional charge which includes te cost of an additional PDF proof. More extensive amending or correcting is charged dependent upon the amount of time required to rectify.
Sending Artwork by Email
Please address it to studio@alp-group.co.uk with any relevant information regarding the job. Maximum file size preferred by email is 15mb. Files larger than this should be sent on disk or by using one of the many file sharing sites that are now readily available and allow you to send large files normally free of charge, ie wetransfer or yousendit.
Sending Artwork on Disk
CD Rom, DVD, and USB memory sticks can be sent to:
A Local Printer Ltd, Solutions House, 18 Robell Way, Water Lane Trading Estate, Storrington, West Sussex, RH20 3DN.
Please include a hard copy of your artwork for reference with any useful instructions. Please quote the order reference number and include a contact name, email address and telephone number in case of a query. Don't forget to keep a copy of your file, in case we need you to undertake changes or corrections.
High Resolution Digital Proofs
Our prices include a PDF proof. If you require a high resolution digital proof these can be supplied for an extra charge. Our Epson proofs are calibrated to our printing presses.
Further Assistance - We are here if you need us!
If you need any help with creating or sending your artwork, please contact us on 01903 742003
