Tips for Submitting Print Files

Here we provide information on what to consider before you submit your materials for printing.Before sending the file, there must be an order or request to which the files can be matched.

Our prepress department checks that the file matches the order in terms of the number of pages, format, and colors, and whether the file should be printed in CMYK or PMS. We also verify that the images included have a sufficiently high resolution and that the file has been provided with bleed, meaning there is a margin beyond what will be the final product so that there is room to trim the edges of the paper as needed for the machine to hold onto the paper.

When it comes to colors, it's important that the print file is saved in the color space specified in the order. The most common is printing in CMYK, but there are occasions when PMS colors may be a better choice. PMS colors are mainly used in screen printing, for example, when a logo is printed on a garment or simply something other than paper. However, there are some critical colors such as orange and certain green tones that can be difficult to reproduce accurately in CMYK. In such cases, choosing to print in PMS colors can help retain the brightness and depth of the image in the printed material. However, printing in PMS colors is more expensive, so it's less common. The reason it's so important for the print file to be provided in the correct color space is primarily because a PMS color that is simply converted to CMYK color can be inaccurate.

If you want to add or remove pages in a document, the number of pages must always be divisible by four. There are exceptions, but the most common and economical approach is to assume that the number of pages should be divisible by four. However, we do print materials with six or ten pages occasionally. 

For the printing press to read the strip and hold the paper properly, correct margins are needed on the sheets to be printed. There must also be space on the sheet to allow for trimming the finished print material to the correct format.

Checklist for submitting material:

• Check that the page count and format match the order.
• Check images to ensure they are 300 dpi.
• Add a bleed of 3mm to the file to allow for trimming the printed material to the correct format.
• Ensure the file has the correct color mode (CMYK or PMS).
• Export a PDF with the correct ICC profile. Available for both coated and uncoated paper.