Supplying files to Pre Press
These guidelines for digital and litho print. If you have little experience in producing artwork, then it is important that you read these pages.
Artwork for digital presses
When setting up your files for digital print please pay particular attention to the following guidelines. High quality digital print can only be achieved if your files are set up correctly. Anything that is not to our specifications can always be rectified, but will take extra time incur extra costs and delay delivery.
If you are unclear on any of these points or have any other queries it is advisable to contact us directly. We prefer to get your file right first time and therefore do not charge for helping you set up your files correctly.
Before we start
We will always try to give you a written estimate by email or letter. If you do not receive an estimate in writing then please request it before we start printing. Our costs are fixed and if there is a discrepancy because of error on our or your part we will charge the price in our Print Price Guide. Any amendments are charged extra.
Your Order
Please provide a written order by email, facsimile or post.
It is advisable to include a proof. PDF’s or soft proofs are not acceptable to proof against except for text. Without your proof we accept no responsibility for missing fonts, pictures or other variations as we will only be able to print what we anticipate as being the correct version. Remember your proof will not be the same as our digital printers. Colour and fonts might be affected even with PDF files. To avoid this potential problem we advise that you supply PDFX files.
Design
If you require creative design or reprographics service then we can offer these. We have one of the most advanced studios around with professional designers, journeymen and new media specialists offering competitive rates with agency quality.
Proofs
We recommend that you sign off your Digital Proof before printing commences. We realize that it today's hectic lifestyles this can be difficult. Never the less if you have colour critical artwork or branding it is vital that you sign off hardcopy proofs. Softproofs are good for checking content, but not good for colour. If your deadline or budget does not allow for checking then please be aware that we accept no responsibility for any colour accuracy variations to what you may have expected.
We always spell check and proof read all work produced at our studio, however no system is Full Proof ( foolproof ) and you should always double check ALL copy supplied before signing off, especially on second proofs.
Clients Supplied Proofs
In the absence of proofs with any orders supplied for processing and printing we will output a version of the file which we anticipate as being the correct one and charge the result out at the relevant rate.
Applications
Quark Xpress or Adobe InDesign are the graphics industry standards and our preferred choice for fast turnaround work. Photoshop, Illustrator, Publisher and Coreldraw files are also acceptable but these and others may carry additional charges. We also accept Adobe Acrobat PDF and PDF/X format files.
All files supplied must be on the correct size page. They must have bleed if applicable. You will be charged if we have to resize files. Imposition is included in the price.
If your artwork requires 'bleed' (i.e. if it extends off the edge of your page) you must allow at least 2mm. Any text must be a minimum of 3mm away from the edge of the page. Do not have straight lines or borders around Digitally printed mater. The process has +- 1mm therefore making borders impracticable.
Multiple page documents must always be supplied as one file in the correct page order including blank pages. If you supply as individual files this will incur additional costs.
Graphics and images
Photographic images should be supplied as 300dpi CMYK .tif or .eps files with no compression and placed into your document at 100%.
Avoid Quark 5.5 - 7 clipping paths as they can cause unpredictable results.
Most of the time .jpeg files are fine. However by using compression you will lose essential information. We recommend that you do not compress any file. Never re-save a .jpeg. Turn all colour management off and do not save file with ICC profiles. NEVER use LZW compression - it will cause problems.
Please note: If you are asked to re supply an image that is low resolution it means that it may print, but the quality will be very poor. This problem is particularly noticeable on logos. Do not re-supply the image back to us by simply increasing the resolution, because if that worked . . . we would have done it.
Logos
Your company logo is extremely important. We recommend that any logo is supplied as a vector image to attain the highest possible quality.
Imported graphics
We recommend that these should be in .eps format with fonts converted to paths or curves. Never copy and paste graphics from other programs especially PowerPoint, Excel and Word. General rule of thumb - do not use free artwork downloaded from the internet.
Digital print limitations
The print processes used in digital technology are less flexible than litho printing. We recommend you avoid using flat tints of 15% or less, as these can sometimes print with a marbled or mottled effect. Limit large expanses of any flat colour alternatively use a textured area as these will always print much better.
Avoid using solid colours, although our DC260 prints flat areas well some colours have unexpected banding.
For a rich black use an mix of 20% CMY and 100% Black. This will give a stronger, richer black.
Colour colour matching
Make sure all colours in your document are specified as CMYK. If you have used spot colours in your design process you should convert them to CMYK to give more predicable results. This includes imported .EPS graphics from any drawing package. Duotone photos . Ensure that your duo tones have exactly the same pantone reference our they will not print correctly. Although our digital machines are Pantone accredited and calibrated some Pantone colours cannot be accurately reproduced in CMYK.
Fonts
Only use PostScript fonts avoid using TrueType and Opentype. If you are supplying anything than a PDF then please include both printer and screen fonts on your disk. If you must use TrueType then if possible convert them to paths/curves to avoid any potential problems.
NEVER use faux bold, italic or other type options from the menu bar as these may not print as expected.
What we do with your file
When digitally printing, the price we have estimated includes the following,
open your PDF or application file
visually check and impose that file
proof if required. (on correct stock if possible) this will delay the job
trim and finish
pack in suitable boxes
We only print the exact number of copies required. There can be an 8% + or –
We do not produced file copies unless included in the amount ordered.
If we have to amend your file in any way there will be additional charges based on the current hourly rate.
Delivery Times
There is no extra charge for next day service for normal jobs. If you require same day service the price increases by 200%.
Show delivery
Delivery to the NEC and other events before the show is opened to the public is normally no problem. However delivery while a show is on must be cleared with the organisers first. Rejected deliveries must be paid for in full regardless.
Although we will make every effort to meet advised delivery times, we will not be liable for any loss to the Customer contingent on any such delivery not being met. Especially in cases where third parties e.g. carriers are involved. Neither will any such failure to meet a delivery date constitute a breach of contract on our part.
Quick Guide tips
These quick tips are the most common problem areas we deal with.
Add 2mm bleed
Pictures and images at 300dpi
Pictures and images at 100%
Embed or include fonts
Check size and telephone number
Don’t use large areas of flat colour
Digital Print Paper Sizes
DC260
Maximum Sheet Size 350x480
Maximum print area 340x460
Minimum weight 80gssm
Maximum weight 350gsm
Stock
Any digitally approved
Typical stock Range: 80gsm - 350gsm
Accepted Media PC or Mac
CD
DVD
USB flash drive
Standard floppy
To transfer via email send to
info@prepress.co.uk
Upload from our web site at
www.prepress.co.uk/uploader.htm
Pricing and estimates
It is vital that we understand your requirements correctly, if possible please supply a purchase order. We always try to give written estimates either by letter or email. This ‘best practice’ avoids any misinterpretation or confusion and ensures that you receive a first class service.
Prices and Payment Terms
Our prices do not include VAT, delivery or any unforeseen studio time.
There is a minimum charge of £25.00 for any artwork and £15.00 if we start a job and stop because of error on the supplied file. Please read our terms and conditions at www.prepress.co.uk
Additional Charges
Very often customers do not read these instruction and guides. They are made to be as clear and concise as possible to avoid time consuming problems when we receive files to print. If you supply a file incorrectly, for what ever reason, there is time involved to check it, amend it, proof it back and then start again when passed.
Additional charges will be made when;
a. During production the Customer requests amendments, additions or
deletions. Charges to Customer would be based on time and materials at current rates.b. Changes are made to jobs where the style, type or layout have been left
to our judgment. Charges to customer would be based on time and materials at current rates.c. The file fails flight checking
d. The file is supplied incorrectly and time has been spent preparing the file for print.
All work must be paid for on collection or prior to delivery unless a credit account has already been applied for and opened, in any case first job must be paid for on collection.
Preliminary Work
Any work carried out whether experimentally or otherwise, at the customers request shall be charged, unless previously agreed.