Suitable file formats

Acrobat PDF  

Is our preferred format, as either single page (1 PDF with single or multiple pages) or ‘printers pairs’ never as spreads. (For an explanation of 'printers pairs', please see our handy tips section below).

You can create a PDF from the majority of software packages:

• Indesign - FILE, EXPORT, ADOBE PDF

• Illustrator - FILE, SAVE AS, ADOBE PDF

• Photoshop - FILE, SAVE AS, PHOTOSHOP PDF

• Most Microsoft applications give you an option to ‘PRINT PDF’. 

Please be sure when saving your PDF that you use the ‘MARKS & BLEED’ settings (details of these below). Although in Photoshop you will need to do this manually - this is why we don’t recommend using photoshop for 'design' purposes.

Indesign INDD 

This format is preferred if amendments are required or variable data is to be added. 

Must be supplied with all fonts and links (you can do this via: FILE, PACKAGE). 

Illustrator AI or EPS

This format is preferred for large format printing or 1 page documents requiring amendments or re-design. 

Please supply all links. Either embed or outline fonts, unless amendments are required, in which case please supply all fonts used.

JPG or PSD - Photoshop

Supplied with a minimum of 300dpi at the correct size (plus 3mm bleed if neccassary). 

Microsoft documents are not recommended for print, although we will do our utmost to help if this is the only format available, a PDF of your word document would be more appropriate.

Colours

Our HP Indigo prints using a 4 colour process (with options for special colours - white, grey, violet & orange), therefore your file needs to be setup in CMYK colour mode, this includes all images that are placed within your document, these should be converted before being placed.

Please be sure that RGB is not used, this may result in images looking weak and washed out.

To include grey, orange or violet simply use your prefered colour within your artwork set as a SPOT colour.

For white ink layering please see our handy set up guide below.

Guides

When using guides for fold / cut / perforation placement, please add these on a seperate layer and create them in magenta or cyan for clarity. 

If printing with a Spot UV or Foil finish: Create your Spot UV/Foil guide in black on an extra page in the position you would like it to print.

Bleed & Crop Marks

Any objects in your artwork that touch the edge of the document need to 'bleed' off the edge by at least 2mm, for instance a background colour or image should spread to cover the entire bleed area.

2mm bleed minumum is required on each edge, for example A4 (210mm x 297mm) with bleed = 214mm x 301mm.

Where possible please provide crop/trim marks offset by 2.5mm

Saving your ducument with bleed and crops

Indesign: 

1. FILE, EXPORT, Format: ADOBE PDF, SAVE.

2. Within the following window please select MARKS AND BLEEDS located on the left hand panel. You should then find tick boxes under MARKS, please tick CROP MARKS only and offset these by 2.5mm (located to the right).

3. Next please locate BLEED AND SLUG, if you have created a document with bleed settings you can tick 'USE DOCUMENT BLEED SETTINGS'. Otherwise (or if you're unsure) please add 2mm to all four boxes (Top, Bottom, Left & Right).

Illustrator: 

1. FILE, SAVE AS, Format: ADOBE PDF, SAVE. 

2. Within the following window please select MARKS AND BLEEDS located on the left hand panel. You should then find tick boxes under MARKS, please tick TRIM MARKS only and offset these by 2.5mm (located to the right).

3. Next please locate BLEEDS, if you have created a document with bleed settings you can tick 'USE DOCUMENT BLEED SETTINGS'. Otherwise (or if you're unsure) please add 2mm to all four boxes (Top, Bottom, Left & Right).

Text Margin 

As a guide, it is advisable that you keep your text at least 5mm from each cut edge to allow for slight movement during the trimming process.

Do call or email for advice if you’re unsure, or email your artwork for free checking to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   We are happy to advise and help you to get the exact result you require if you do not have the software or experience.

White Ink Setup

For help with setting up white ink within your artwork download our setup guide here.

Paper Sizes

SRA3 - 460mm x 320mm (this is our maximum sheet size)
440mm x 308mm (this is our maximum PRINT area)

A3 - 297mm x 420mm
A4 - 210mm x 297mm
A5 - 148.5mm x 210mm
A6 - 105mm x 148.5mm
A7 - 74mm x 105mm

Business Card - 85mm x 55mm
Compliment Slip - 210mm x 99mm
CD/DVD Label - 116mm diameter
Document Folder - 430mm x 305mm (flat)

A0 - 841mm x 1189mm
A1 - 594mm x 841mm
A2 - 420mm x 594mm

Fold Guides

Concertina fold	Roll fold
Gate fold

Handy Tips

• FST/saddle stitched booklets and brochures need to have a page count divisible by 4. i.e. 12, 16, 20, 24pp etc. 

• Please supply either single pages (1 PDF with single or multiple pages) or printers pairs - never as spreads.

(Printers pairs are the position in which the pages need to be in order to be printed and collated into a book, i.e. for an 8 page booklet page 8 and page 1 should be side by side, page 2 & page 7, page 6 & page 3, and page 4 & page 5. If necessary you can make a mock up using some A4 folded paper to work out what goes where).

• When creating files for wire binding, please allow room in the artwork for the wire, we suggest at least 15mm from the relevant edge.