Artwork Guidelines - How to Supply PDF Artwork for Print
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What is a Print Ready PDF?
PDF stands for Portable Document Format. Supplying a print ready PDF not only eliminates all of the extra files you would have traditionally sent to a printing company, it will also speed your file through the Perth Printing pre-press department. By supplying a print ready PDF you create a simple workflow between you and us, enabling a hassle free transition from design through to print and final delivery.
A Print ready PDF must meet certain criteria for your file to print without problems.
All print ready PDFs need to contain the following:
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The file is supplied as four-colour process CMYK or PMS colour where required and not RGB colour space. If you are unfamiliar with this terminology don’t worry, we will convert it for you, though some colours may look washed out. |
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The document’s page size is the finished trimmed size. |
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Fonts are embedded or converted to outlines so no fonts are needed. |
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The resolution of any scanned images within the PDF must be 300 dpi at 100% of the final image size. |
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Images use CMYK colour mode and are embedded in the file. |
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Files are supplied with 2mm bleed. |
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Any trim, score or fold marks are indicated and outside the live print area. |
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Artwork elements such as text should be kept at least 5mm from the final trimmed edge of the page.
This is regarded as a Safe Zone. |
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Black text is 100% black and not a mix of CMYK. |
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White text is not set to overprint. |
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Any multiple-page PDF consists of single pages running from the front cover through to the back cover,
including blank pages if needed. |
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What is Bleed?
Bleed is a printing term that is used to describe a document which has images or elements that touch the edge of the page, extending beyond the trim edge and leaving no white margin. When a document has bleed, it must be printed on a larger sheet of paper and then trimed down to the finished size.
The example below shows how a document should be set up with bleed. This is the way you must set up your document if you intend to have graphics that extend all the way to the edges of the trimmed product.
The example uses a business card, however the same principles and measurements apply to a document of any size.
No printers can print right to the edge of a sheet therefore any standard size prints with bleed must actually be printed on a larger sheet and cut down. For example, an A4 (210x297mm) page with bleed must be printed on an A4+ (225x320mm) oversize sheet and then trimmed down to the final A4 size.
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