How to prepare file for printing

prepararefIle
Here are a few suggestions to
optimize the workflow
1
ACCEPTED FILES

PDF created following the standard PDF/A (CMYK) or PDF/X.
JPG (highest quality).
EPS Photoshop [Preview: TIFF (8 bit/pixel) and Code: JPEG (highest quality)].
EPS Illustrator [Preview: TIFF (8 bit color). Transparency, predefined: high resolution. Active Font with Incorporate font (for other applications). Options, include PostScript CMYK in RGB file. Adobe PostScript, Language level 3].
TIFF (without compression if in CMYK) with minimum resolution of 300 dpi.

The dimensions must correspond to the printout.

2
IMAGES/COLOR SEPARATION

  • Verify that the images are separated in CMYK (not RGB) at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi using the Color Method of the CMYK document, plus an eventual special color Pantone channel for printing with more than 4 colors.
  • Verify that the images are separated in Shades of Grey at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
  • Black text must be created as C0, M0, Y0, K100 and overprinting.

 

3
EDGES

The measurements of the layout must correspond to the format after the crop. Margins/allowance of at least 5mm must be provided on each side of the document, if the document includes bleed images.

4
CROPPING AND FOLDING MARKS

  • Include the markings for cropping 3mm from the finished format.
  • Include the markings for folding with a broken line 3mm from the finished format.

NB: fliers for mass distribution do not require crop marks.

5
BOOKS, MAGAZINES AND CATALOGUES

Cover

create a single PDF file, separate from the text file, consisting of two pages, with allowances and crop marks:

  • 1′ Format must contain in the same area page 4 (the back cover), the spine and page 1 (the front cover).
  • 2′ Format must contain in the same area page 2, the spine and page 3 of the cover.

The two pages must be centered in the pdf file.

Inside
create a pdf file with a single pages with allowances and crop marks.

6
FILES WITH DIE-CUT

The outline of the die-cut should be inserted in the file and handled as a flat color in overprint.

7
FILE NAMING

File names must conform to the following criteria:

  • they must end with an extension (e.g. .jpg .pdf .tiff), all extensions must be written in lower case;
  • the names should not be excessively long;
  • there should be no spaces;
  • the names should not contain accented letters, apostrophies or special characters. The only symbols permitted are the underscore “_” and the minus sign “-”
  • they should not begin with a period (.).

8
FILE TRANSFER

To successfully transfer a file, it should be compressed into a .zip, .sit, or .rar.