We prefer all artwork to be supplied as high-resolution PDF format.

PDF's are rapidly becoming the standard file format for transmitting files for printing, but it is important to prepare your PDF file in the correct way   However we can accept a variety of file types, including PDF, Indesign, Quark, Illustrator, Photoshop, Publisher* and Word*. If your files are under 10mb in size, we can accept them via email. If they are 10mb or over, please place use MailBigFile.com, (see instructions at bottom).   Any other file formats not listed above must be saved as an eps or jpeg.  If there are any changes to the job, you may have to amend and re-submit the artwork as we will be unable to change it. Ensure file has bleed and crop marks and please confirm the final size of the artwork and supply a hard copy for reference.

* In .eps .tiff or .jpg format only.

Correct Preparation of PDF Files

When creating a PDF in Acrobat Distiller, there are job options which must be set for commercial printing. These include default resolution, compression settings and font embedding.   Please ensure you choose high resolution. Compression settings for colour and greyscale should be down sampled to 300dpi with "auto compression" set on high. Bitmapped (monochrome: i.e. line art) images should be set at 600dpi. Font embedding should be set to "embed all fonts."

Bleed

What is ‘bleed'?

Bleed is needed to ensure your finished product looks its best. Images, background colours and other fills, which are intended to print to the trimmed edge of the page, should be extended 3mm beyond the edge to give a ‘bleed' and allow for any movement during the cutting process.   Make sure there is 3mm bleed all round the PDF, i.e. save the PDF with 6mm added to each measurement (i.e. for A4 usually 210mm x 297mm, save as 216mm x 303mm). Crop marks may be included.

CMYK not RGB!

‘Four Colour Process Printing', which is also known as ‘Full Colour Printing', is a widely used printing technique.  The system uses four base colours - Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y) and Black (K) - and, by using combinations of these in various tints, it is possible to produce virtually every colour imaginable!   Please ensure that all embedded images are CMYK files please.  RGB images may look good on your screen but final output to print is always in CMYK.  One should be aware that files converted from RGB to CMYK may alter the colour composition significantly.

Fonts

Include all fonts you have used in the file.  Whilst we have an extensive font collection, there is no guarantee the version you have used matches ours.  This can create problems with line lengths and spacing of the type.  Xpelusic Print assumes all fonts supplied are licensed and takes no responsibility for embedded fonts.

Artwork Guidelines Summary

Before you send us your artwork, please read the following guidelines:

For all 4-colour work, please supply CMYK files at 300 dpi. A lower dpi means a lower resolution, which will in turn mean blurry images. Files supplied as RGB must be converted to CMYK in order to print them. The process of conversion always changes the colours used - sometimes slightly, sometimes significantly.  Please note, the image you see on screen does not necessarily represent the final printed result.   Please ensure all fonts used are embedded or outlined as applicable.  

Once you have placed your order, please email all relevant files (below 10mb) through to us at sales@xpelusic.co.uk.