BRIEF LAYOUT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRINTING
(When in doubt – call us)
FILE FORMATS
Preferred file format is PDF /X-1a
That being said, In-design, Illustrator, Quark Express, Powerpoint, Photoshop, Publisher and Tiff files are OK. Again, when in doubt just ask.
Word Documents (with fonts 100% embedded) are OK subject to proof approval.
PAGE FORMATS
We will print almost any size from small labels to 320 by 450mm , however some sizes are more cost efficient and cause less wastage as we need to print non standard sizes on bigger paper and trim down to the size required hence the wastage).
Paper in Australia comes basically in A series sizes –
A5 (148mm by 210mm),
A4 (210mm by 297mm),
A3 (297mm by 420mm) etc..
8.5" by 11" is an American size paper.
Artwork supplied in this size will not print as you expect, if we print on A4.
(A4 is 8.26" by 11.7" ie narrower and longer)
Please, if using standard page sizing for your print (recommended - for cost reasons alone), set your word-processor program to A4 before you start – this way your print job has more chance of being delivered as you expect and for the lowest possible price.
FILE SIZE and NUMBER
There is no limitation on file size – within reason
Preferred one file for all text pages, one or two files for cover as appropriate.
One file per chapter will be accepted on discussion.
Perfect Bind or Saddle Stitch covers should be one file with spine already incorporated if possible.
LAYOUT and TRIMMING
Allow large margins (distance from the edge of the page to text/images) for trimming, especially saddle stitched documents as the pages get progressively trimmed more and more as you reach the centre of the book. ("Page Creep")
Perfect binding also requires trimming after binding and this therefore also requires adequate margins.
We recommend at least 10mm margin plus bleed and an extra 3 to 5 mm in the gutter area (spine) of the book if perfect binding.
Allow at least 3 mm bleed for all pages where images meet the edge of the printed page. Preferred bleed to be 8mm or 5 mm minimum. 3mm bleed will incur extra cost due to hand alignment required.
Crop marks and fold marks must be included or explained in the order text.
Note if a finished size of a book must be exactly A4 then larger paper must be used so that the mandatory trimming can bring it down to A4 –this costs a lot more than allowing A4 pages to be trimmed slightly smaller than A4 say 3-5mm less width – 6-7 mm less height - because much less paper is wasted (and paid for by you).
FONTS
embed 100% of all fonts
DO NOT SUBSET FONTS
replace any substituted fonts with actual fonts
If in doubt send all the fonts used in a separate zip file.
IMAGES
Either fully embed all images
or
provide the “locally” linked images with the main files
Use High Resolution images preferably not JPG’s (these are lossy and generally poor image quality)
Image Resolution should be 300 DPI or greater (Line art much greater resolution)
COLOUR
Unless there are corporate spot colours (Pantone or PMS colours) which must also be mentioned within the order, all other colours should be CMYK and should not be RGB.
SECURITY
Do not apply any security (restrictions and digital signatures) to your files
REJECTION
Files with the following characteristics will be rejected and returned to you for correction, unless other arrangements are made with us to "make ready" your print job.