ARTWORK FILE REQUIREMENTS

What you supply is what you will get and only human intervention can fix or clean up poor quality artwork. Please remember that the image you see on your computer screen or tablet is NOT necessarily how it will print.

 

We need print ready artwork to be supplied at actual size.

A high definition (300dpi) file or a Vector file please so we 

can manipulate it and directly output it to our printing process.

We cannot manipulate jpeg, png or bitmap files.

If we have to redraw artwork we will need to quote for it, but we 

try to keep art charges to a minimum.

CMYK files please, not  RBG

Please supply PMS numbers for spot colours

Corel Draw (CDR – Vector with text converted to curves)

Illustrator (EPS – Vector with text converted to curves)

PDF (High resolution that has been vectorised before saving)

We need: High Resolution file @ 300 DPI and actual size.

 

PREFERRED FILE FORMAT:
Corel Draw (CDR – Vector with text converted to curves)
Illustrator (EPS – Vector with text converted to curves)
PDF (High resolution that has been vectorised)
JPEG (High Resolution / with print limitations)
Bitmap (High Resolution / with print limitations)
 
We cannot use images that have just been saved as one of these file types: it needs to be created in the program then saved as above, to allow us to manipulate the artwork for printing.

 

LARGE FILES:

If your artwork file is too large to send by email, please send it via an FTP site such as youSENDit.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
If your artwork is full colour / four colour process please supply file in CMYK.
If using spot colours please supply PMS references.
The same file should be supplied as an additional .pdf file for visual proofing
(objects and type can sometimes change appearance once opened with different software).
Please allow (Text, Graphics, Logos, etc) 2.5mm from edge of cut for cutting shift - unless image/artwork is bleeding past the cut line, then allow a further 2.5mm bleed. All images are best embedded. There is no need to add overprint to your artwork.

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ARTWORK:

Artwork conversion and clean-up is an extra expense for YOU but you can decrease the turn around time and cost by supplying high quality electronic artwork.

We need production ready VECTOR artwork (this can be directly output to the printing process).

Vector artwork is composed of lines that have been created in an illustration program such as Illustrator or CorelDRAW. Vector art is preferred because it can be easily manipulated, edited or sized without any loss of quality.

Bitmap artwork is composed of pixels that have been created in a desktop publishing program, photo editing program or through the scanning process.

Bitmap artwork CANNOT be easily manipulated and will lose quality when it is resized. However, if your file is EXACTLY the size and colours you want then we can use it BUT IF it needs to be altered in any way:

To convert bitmap artwork to vector artwork is a time consuming and labour intense process but whoever holds your original artfile can be told to save the artwork as a vector file and to convert text to curves. Then it can be saved as a .pdf file.

IF your artwork is a bitmap it needs to be saved at 300-600 dpi.

  

DIGITAL INKJET PRINTING
(All files are printed as full colour - CMYK)

• Very economical for small print runs but unit costs do not decrease greatly as quantities increase. (Screen printing recommended for larger runs)

• Photographic images reproduce exceptionally well

• Some solid colours may appear 'grainy'

• Matching spot PMS colours can be difficult

• Small type and logos printed in colour or reversed out of coloured backgrounds are a problem (black is normally OK)

• External life expectancy (weather resistance and lightfastness) of up to 3 years.

 

FULL COLOUR SCREEN PRINTING
(This information only applies to full colour - CMYK files)

• Unit costs decrease significantly as quantities become higher. (Digital Inkjet is recommended for small print runs)

• Photographic images and some solid colours can appear 'dotty'.

• Print resolution is more obvious as the image gets smaller, but not noticeable when viewed from a distance.

• Matching spot PMS colours can be difficult

• Small type and logos printed in colour or reversed out of coloured backgrounds are a problem (black is normally OK)

• External life expectancy (weather resistance and lightfastness) of up to 3 years.

 

 

CUTTING TO SHAPE.

If printing on a sheet that is to be diecut (the backing paper is cut) or facecut (the vinyl on top is cut but not the backing paper) we need:

• 10mm border on each edge

• images at least 2.5mm inside each cut line or 2.5mm bleed if the image is going to the edge.

• 5mm between the diecut lines

• 710mm is the maximum we can diecut in-house. Larger sizes have to be outsourced and this will add significantly to the delivery time. However, we can face-cut larger sheets.  

• IF single stickers are being facecut we need 2.5mm of bleed

 

1. PMS COLOUR MATCHING

The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a colour system that acts as a GUIDE only for colour matching. PMS books are printed offset (lithographic) and clearly state in the introduction that the colours indicated would only be achieved using this print process on the same papers used in the book. Variables to colour accuracy include:

• the printing process used,

• material being printed,

• ink density,

• the age of the PMS book (should be replaced every 12 months),

• and most importantly, viewing conditions.

Viewing colours under different lighting systems seems to be one of the most important factors in colour matching. Lighting in offices, studios, workplaces and even natural light can have a marked effect on the accuracy of colours. Technically, colours should be matched by the manufacturer in a light booth with a “natural” fluorescent light source, with the customer or end user using the same source. Obviously this is not practical in most situations, which causes further frustrations from a colour matching perspective.

 

2. FULL COLOUR MATCHING

Most full colour printing is generated from electronic files and is viewed on-screen or via a hard copy digital print-out. These print-outs are not a true indication of the finished result and can only be used as a guide. The same restrictions with PMS colour matching apply and the attempt to print spot PMS colours using CMYK is not normally successful. Different printing processes will deliver varying resolutions which again will impact on the final result, however, digital printing does allow the customer to preview the finished product. Machine proofing is an expensive option and unnecessary if the colour and resolution variables can be demonstrated by way of sampling.

 

3. SCREEN-PRINTING INKS

PMS colours are formulated from a set of 14 base Pantone colours. Unfortunately, these base colours are not manufactured for the screen-printing industry. Sericol is the largest and only dedicated screen ink supplier in the world and we have developed a computerised colour matching system that can emulate PMS colours. The accuracy however, is not consistent and colours still need to be manipulated to get a reasonably close match. Most colours will be deeper and brighter than PMS colours, mainly due to the ink deposit and pigment strength needed to ensure light fastness for outdoor and UV conditions.

Given the variables and inconsistencies associated with the Pantone Matching System itself, and further complications with the screen-printing process, it is difficult to find a complete solution to this important aspect of print manufacturing. Because of the restrictions previously outlined, an exact match cannot not be guaranteed.

However, we have a reputation as one of the best printers in the country and we will get it as close as humanly possible.