Many problems relating to printing and finishing can be avoided right at the very start of your project by spending the time to get the artwork files right.

Here are our preferred file formats and guidelines for providing finished files:

Accepted File Formats

• Press Ready PDF files
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Photoshop
• Vector Based Graphics (Illustrator EPS format preferred)
• QuarkXpress files Version 6.5
• Minimum 300 dpi CMYK TIFF files for any graphics or logos (600-800 dpi preferred)
• Minimum 300 dpi CMYK EPS files for any graphics or logos (600-800 dpi preferred)
• We accept files in PC and Mac format
• Other file formats such as Word and Publisher may be acceptable if prepared correctly but PDF format is preferred and will prevent any additional artwork costs.

Guidelines for Supplying Finished Files

• We require a 3mm bleed past the trim marks
• When preparing PDF files all fonts need to be embedded and the artwork files flattened
• If supplying native file formats please include all fonts and images
• All fonts to be turned into paths or curves
• All colours should be CMYK or Greyscale
• Do not output Adobe colour bars if you are using Spot / PMS colours.
• Reversed type (light type on dark background) should be a minimum of 7pt.
• Please supply multiple page documents as single pages with all trims and bleed in place. You may combine multiple pages into a single PDF file provided they are single pages within that document.
• If you require a Rich black in solid areas use the following breakdown:  Cyan 30% / Magenta 30% / Yellow 30% / Black 100%
• If a colder Rich black is required you can use Cyan 40% / Black 100%. Rich black will also be useful if printing on recycled stocks.
• Metallic Colours need to be reversed out of background - not overprinted

Need Help from the Print Experts?

• Print specifications can be difficult to understand if you aren’t experienced in the print or graphic design industry. Many of the terms used are common speak in the print world but can be a whole lot of jargon to you. Please call us, our graphic designers and pre-press staff are here to help you.
• Sometimes the easiest option is actually to outsource the lot – including the design and making your file print ready. Save yourself a lot of time and hassle.
• If you have outsourced the design then your graphic designer should be able to provide your file to you very easily in the above formats. So just send them the details or get them to talk to us.
• If you do need some minor changes to your existing files we can often make them free of charge. However sometimes getting your file print ready can take considerable time and we do ask that you allow for $60/hr for edits. We will always discuss this with you though so if there is an issue with your file we’ll talk to you about it so there will never be any unexpected surprises.