Do you need more help?
We've put together some helpful advice to help you prepare your 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Paper Weights
A paper's thickness is measures in grammes per square metre (GSM) or microns (MIC)
80-100gsm - Standard light weight paper used for letterheads, documents, manuals and digital & laser printing
100-120gsm - Opague sheet ideal for letterheads and corporate stationery
115-170gsm - Gloss, Silk or Matt coated paper ideal for leaflets, flyers, brochures, newsletters and documents
200gsm - Light weight coated paper used for brochures, leaflets and report & accounts
250gsm - 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
400gsm - White ivory board used for business cards
Trims & Bleeds?
Images & Pictures
CMYK or RGB?
Fonts
Preparing files