Our ideal PDF is:
- Version 1.3
- All fonts converted to outlines (curves)
- All transparencies flattened
- All colours converted to CMYK using the FOGRA 39 colour profile
If
you're using Adobe Acrobat Distiller then select 'Press Quality' - this will
automatically download all fonts and convert colours to the CMYK colour model
ready for printing.
NOTE:
If you don't supply CMYK files then we'll convert them at this end - but this
can result in unexpected colour shifts.
If
you don't have a PDF writer you can download one here - it's free.
We can also accept native files from most
graphics applications (both Macintosh and PC) but you must embed the fonts first (or email them separately). We'll process your documents to make them
CMYK 'print-ready' and send you a proof for checking. These files need to be
checked very carefully for processing errors before printing.
NEVER enlarge images in your artwork - this can seriously degrade quality. For good
reproduction scan/create your images at the size you intend to print them (or do as graphics professionals do, scan oversize and do any retouching and
airbrushing before reducing them to the required printed size).
Create/scan
your images at 300dpi and save them as TIF, PSD or EPS formats.
JPG
(or JPEG) files are fine as long as you use minimum compression and you don't
alter and save the images too many times (you lose quality each time you
save).
BMP
and PCX formats are ok, but tend to produce very large files.
Internet
images: GIF format can only cope with 250 colours so they give inferior
results when printed - and most JPG images on the internet use extreme
compression which can cause colour shifts and blurriness.
Since JPG and GIF are
the most common image formats on the web, it follows therefore that it's not a
good idea to simply lift an image from someone's website - and it's almost
certainly an infringement of copyright. |
