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FAQ'S
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Set Up
Files should be supplied including bleeds (the part of an image that extends beyond the trim marks on a page) if needed. Print will be returned as the finished sizes. Please ensure all artwork is centred within the document page. Please ensure no excess artwork which is not to be printed remains on the artboard.
A2 finished size = 420mm x 594mm, with bleed = 424mm x 598mm
A3 finished size = 297mm x 420mm, with bleed = 301mm x 424mm
A4 finished size = 210mm x 297mm, with bleed = 214mm x 301mm
A5 finished size = 210mm x 148mm, with bleed = 214mm x 152mm
A6 finished size = 148mm x 105mm, with bleed = 152mm x 109mm
A7 finished size = 105mm x 74mm, with bleed = 109mm x 78mm
Business card finished size = 85mm x 55mm,with bleed = 89mm x 59mm
Bleeds
If your artwork needs to be printed to the very edge of the finished size document, any images, colour etc. needs to "bleed" off the edge of the paper by at least 2mm - this bleed will be printed but then cut off in the final cropping process.
2mm area outside the finished paper size. The image should project into this. This will be trimmed off.
Trim Edge
This is the final edge of the leaflet or flyer after the bleed area has been trimmed. eg. A6
Text Margin
Keep your text at least 5mm inside the trim edge to ensure that it is not trimmed off with the bleed area.
The Finished Leaflet
The bleed area has been trimmed off.
Resolution
All non-vector artwork should be supplied at a minimum of 300 dpi size for size. If images have been downloaded from the Internet, normal screen resolution is just 72dpi. These images are very poor quality and are not suitable for use on printed material. Remember that the resolution changes with the size of the image! For images smaller than actual size, increase dpi proportionately e.g. 50% of actual size = 600dpi. For images larger than actual size, decrease dpi proportionately e.g. double actual size = 150dpi. Please do not decrease resolution of images any lower than 100dpi. |
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Correct Resolution - 300dpi (or higher) resulting in clear text and sharp images |
Incorrect screen resolution - (72dpi) too low resulting in blurred images and illegible text |
Colour
Full colour artwork should contain CMYK colour only, RGB files should be converted to CMYK. All colour proofs would be converted to CMYK and may affect appearance of any artwork in RGB format. Pantone colours made up of CMYK should be checked on a correct pantone colour chart before print, due to certain colours being unachievable in the CMYK process. Printplus cannot take responsibility for any unexpected results experienced from artwork supplied in non-CMYK colours.
Pantone
All mono/two/three colour printing needs to be set up in the correct pantone colours and not in CMYK otherwise an extra charge may be added. Pantone colours need to be checked on the correct paper stock i.e. Coated or Un-coated.
Colour Proofing
Digital proofs will not be 100% colour accurate to the final Litho print, they can be used as a guide only. If you require a more accurate proof, a Print Match Proof can be supplied for an additional charge of £15.00 per proof
Typefaces
All fonts used should be embedded (PDF’s) or converted to outlines (EPS, Illustrator). We can accept both PC and Mac generated artwork. If fonts are supplied, please ensure that all are included and that any redundant fonts are removed. Please include both the postscript (printer) and screen fonts.
Transparencies
If using the transparency functions in Illustrator and Freehand generated files, transparencies must be flattened and the files then converted to PDF or bitmap (TIFF or JPEG) before supplying. Transparency in vector programs is still in its infancy and Printplus cannot accept any responsibility for any unwanted results if this is not done.
Overprint / Knockout
Please ensure that no elements of the design are set to overprint unless specifically required. We cannot always check for this and it is likely to generate unexpected results.
Quark Features
You should not change imposed picture sizes in Quark, the files should be re-sized in Photoshop / Illustrator and then imposed at their full size. You should also not use the text display attributes (Bold, Italic, etc) in Quark, instead use font families with suitable choices. Both these options may not work when the file is ripped and may generate unwanted results. (please check everything is collected ready for print)
Illustrator / Photoshop / Freehand Generated files
Please save all Freehand generated files into EPS or PDF files. With fonts converted to outlines or with fonts supplied.
Corel Generated Files
We can except Corel files ( V12 or below) with all fonts converted to curves.
Other Formats
We can accept artwork in any of the Microsoft programs ie Word, Publisher, Powerpoint etc but generally we cannot print directly from these and are required to do some work on them to make them print ready. This will incur an extra minimal artwork charge – please contact us for details.
Artwork Supply Method
We work mainly with PDF, EPS, and RAW files - any other format queries please contact us
Files should be supplied uncompressed wherever possible; Zip/Stuffit may be used to compress files if necessary.
Ideally artwork should be supplied on a CD/DVD disk or via email to studio@printplusblackpool.com if emailing artwork to us please ensure you put your company name or contact name in the subject field. Artwork may only be e-mailed if the file size is less than 10 megabytes as most internet providers have a limit on the file sizes you can send and receive via e-mail. You can also upload your artwork securely to our FTP site – please contact us for a username and password. CD/DVDs will not be returned unless specifically requested at time of order. We always endeavour to hold any supplied artwork in case of re-printing but this cannot be guaranteed so please do not provide us with the only copy of your artwork. All artwork must be supplied with a colour proof, Printplus cannot accept responsibility for any printing errors if no proof is supplied. All artwork sent to us without a proof will be sent back to you as a print ready PDF file which you will need to approve before we commence to print. This can lead to delays in your printing being ready.
Ownership Of artwork supplied by customers
Printplus cannot be held responsible for any artwork copyright infringements on artwork supplied by customers. The customer must have permission to use all images, text and logos that are supplied to Printplus. When signing off a job, prior to printing, the customer acknowledges that copyright responsibility is held with themselves, and not Printplus.
Copyright
Where artwork has been designed for you by The Printplus Group all images used on that artwork have been purchased by the Printplus Group on the customers behalf. When The Printplus Group purchases an image they obtain a user license for that photograph; this license limits the use of the image. In particular, this license prohibits a person to use the image in a violent, pornographic, racist context or using the images in a way where the people portrayed in the images are discredited. Images cannot be used for any other purpose than for which they are purchased. The Printplus Group will not be held responsible for any copyright infringements were images we have purchased have been used on websites and/or any other printed matter not produced by The Printplus Group.
Saving to disk
After saving to disk please close the file on your machine and check the file from the disk as the file may not have copied correctly. If possible try opening the disk on a different machine from the one on which you created the disk.
Proofing
Where we are creating the artwork for you or where you have supplied your own artwork without a colour proof, before printing, all proofs need to be signed off. After the final proof has been signed off no alterations to text, colour etc can be made without a new proof being provided and signed accordingly.
Confirmation
Artwork will only be processed on receipt of written, fax or e-mail confirmation of the full order and receipt of payment, or authorised Purchase Order where agreed credit terms exist. Standard terms and conditions apply, available on request. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us on Tel: to 0845-301-4445 or e-mail: sales@printplusblackpool.com
FAQ’s
I work in Microsoft Word on a PC - can you print from a file in this format?
Yes, our ability to handle digital design created by others is not limited to the 'run of the mill' programmes favoured by most printers and repro houses. As well as Apple Macintosh programmes such as Quark Express, Freehand, Illustrator & Photoshop we have developed reliable methods for printing from the majority of programmes available on the PC ranging from Corel Draw to Microsoft Publisher, Pagemaker to Pageplus.
I have downloaded some images from the internet - can you print from them?
For best results we need pictures to be supplied at 400dpi and saved in CMYK colour. Most images found online are saved in RGB colour at 72 dpi, so whilst we could print from them the results would be very poor. Also, please be aware that whilst most images are easy to download from the internet the majority are copyright protected and Printplus will not be held responsible for any images supplied to us which are used without permission.
Will colours print as vibrantly on Laser (letterhead) paper as they do on Gloss or Silk Paper?
No, the nature of laser paper means that the ink dots will spread more (Dot Gain). This has the effect of darkening images and colours especially colours which are dark to start with. To get a more accurate result refer to a Pantone chart and compare the difference between coated and uncoated colours, some of which vary greatly.
Will the colour of my printing match the colours shown on my monitor?
No, unless your monitor has been calibrated to our press then the colours on your printing will not match what you see on screen. It is best to use colours specified in a pantone colour swatch to ensure a good match. Please remember - wherever possible try to work using the CMYK colour scheme when producing artwork which is to be printed in full colour. If you want to be sure how your colours are going to appear before we go to print then we can produce a Print Match Proof which is 95% colour accurate, these are available at an additional cost of £15.00 per proof
What is the difference between spot colour and full colour printing?
Spot colour printing is a method that uses a different ink for each colour. By using a single ink for each colour it is possible to achieve exceptional fidelity between print runs and good matching to either existing printing, or to colours from the pantone spot colour swatches. If your printing only requires one, two or three colours, spot colour printing may have an economical advantage over full colour printing. Alternatively, spot colours can be used if a colour needs to be extremely precise. For example, if you need to reproduce a very specific colour for a corporate logo or to match an existing piece of printing, spot colours should be used. Full colour printing uses four inks mixed in different quantities to produce multicolour images. The colour of these four inks are cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Colour produced using these inks is referred to as process colour, CMYK or full colour printing. Almost any colour can be produced by mixing these four inks.
Will the colour of my printing match the colour hard copy I have printed out on my desktop printer and supplied to you?
No, as all printers produce different results we cannot guarantee that the colours your printer produces will be the same as what your finished product will look like. The only way to be sure of how your finished product will look is to ask for a Print match Proof. This is available for £15.00 per proof and is 95% colour accurate
You can send your artwork via email, or on disk. We accept almost all formats of artwork on both Mac and PC platforms but to be absolutely sure there are no problems with your file the most secure format is PDF. Printplus cannot accept responsibility for print errors or late deliveries where artwork has been supplied incorrectly. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us on to 0845-301-4445, or email studio@printplusblackpool.com
