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Q: In what formats can you accept artwork?
A: Our preferred format is Quark Xpress for Macintosh or PC. We can also accept artwork in other applications such as Adobe InDesign, Pagemaker, Illustrator, Photoshop, Freehand, CorelDraw and high resolution Acrobat PDF. Please call us so that we can advise you on how to set up your artwork in order to minimise any potential problems during printing.
Q: Can you supply templates for setting up the artwork on a Mac or PC?
A: Yes, in most cases.
Q: How should images be supplied?
A: Photographic images should be supplied scanned in CMYK mode. Images should be saved in TIFF format or Photoshop EPS format (with JPEG encoding at the maximum quality setting). JPEG format should be avoided if possible. Line art should be supplied in Illustrator EPS or Freehand EPS format.
Q: Are pictures taken with a digital camera good enough for large-format printing?
A: The optimum resolution for large format printing is 150 dpi at the final printed size. If the digital picture is between 72 and 150 dpi at the final printed size and has good quality colour and contrast then it should be fine.
Q: What about fonts?
A: Use Postscript fonts wherever possible. We can handle TrueType fonts as well, but a lot depends on which application has been used to create the artwork. To avoid potential font conflicts, please supply screen and printer versions of the fonts used. Alternatively convert text to curves or supply the artwork as a high resolution Acrobat PDF file.
Q: We need a good colour match for our company logo. How should we set up the artwork?
A: If your logo uses particular Pantone spot colours, keep those colours as spot colours in your artwork and do NOT convert them to CMYK. Let us know what these spot colours are and we shall try and match them as close as possible within the confines of 6 colour (CMYKcm) large format printing. If you can provide previously printed samples, that can also help.
Q: Quark Xpress does not allow me to set up a document size exceeding 1220 mm. What should I do?
A: Many applications enforce a maximum document size which is smaller than panel sizes for pop-up displays and banner stands. In this case, set up the artwork at 50% or even 25% of the real size and let us know so that we can scale it upwards at the printing stage. Remember to ensure the image resolution at the final printed size (after scaling up) does not drop below 72 dpi, although 120 to 150 dpi is preferable. Avoid setting up the artwork at 33%, 10% or less than 10% of real size as this may cause rounding errors when scaling up.
Q: How much bleed should I allow?
A: Depends on what you are setting up artwork for. In general, allow at least 3 mm bleed life size all round. Artwork for roller banner stands should allow at least 50mm bleed at the bottom to avoid a white sliver showing at the bottom when the graphic is on display.
Q: Should I send you a colour proof or a PDF file?
A: Yes, hard copy is the best. However, if you are working to a tight deadline, send us an Adobe Acrobat PDF proof. Please mark any special spot colours eg. Pantones.
Q: Can I email you artwork?
A: Email is okay for sending small files, however, if your file exceeds 40 Mb in size it will probably get held up at one of the email servers on the internet. Please send files larger than 40 Mb on disk or via FTP - contact us for details on how to upload to our FTP site.
Q: Can I send artwork by FTP?
A: Yes. Please contact us so that we can provide you with login details. Compress the artwork with Stuffit or WinZip and then you can upload the .sit or .zip file. Call or email us once you have completed uploading the file.
Q: My files are just too big for email or FTP. What disk formats can you accept?
A: You can send us Macintosh or PC artwork on CD or DVD.
