Technical requirements for printing files

1. We prefer composite PDF. Upon agreement, we accept files in any format.
2. The clean format must be positioned at the centre of the page in the file. If the final format is a custom-shaped die-cut print, then the die-cut blueprint must be positioned at the centre of the page.

• Leave an equal amount of bleed 3–5 mm  on every side (even if the edges of the page contain no print).
• Cutting and folding marks should be positioned outside of the clean format – otherwise, they will be visible on the printed product.
• All pages must be arranged separately and consecutively in a single PDF file with the exception of leaflets, perfect-bound covers and document covers.

3. For custom solutions, we recommend putting together a mock-up.
4. Colours must be CMYK. If you also or only wish to use a specific spot colour (e.g., a corporate colour), please let us know, because other colour spaces are converted automatically to CMYK, in which case we cannot guarantee an accurate result.

• Black (K-100%) is automatically given overprint during print preparation. If overprint is undesired for black objects, please use, for example, C-1% M-1% Y-1% K-100%. This should be observed especially if you wish to use objects both with overprint and without overprint (knock-out).
• Rich black may be used for larger objects: e.g., 40-30-30-100. Make sure that all texts are K-100% (especially in the case of smaller font sizes).
• To ensure readability, bar codes should use monochrome (normally K-100%, sometimes 100% spot) vector graphics.
• White objects should not be set to overprint.

In places where the total ink limit (i.e. maximum total raster percent) for the paper is exceeded, the ink will not dry in time and may smear other printed pages.

5. Die-cut blueprints must be in spot colour. Lines must be vector lines (stroke not fill or image) and set to overprint.

The respective objects in foil stamped, embossed and/or spot varnished print designs must be defined as a separate spot colour set to overprint. This also applies to numbering.

6. All fonts must be embedded in the file or converted to curves (outline).
7. Image resolution: min 300 dpi.
8. Avoid using transparency effects!
9. For saddle-stitching,  keep in mind that each successive sheet from the cover to the centre is narrower than the last by the thickness of the paper: the sheets ‘grow out’ of the binding edge. During binding, the excess is trimmed off.

• In the case of 6-page (covers with flaps) saddle-stitched covers, keep in mind that the cover with the flap will be up to 2 mm shorter.

10. For perfect-binding,  we recommend moving content pages about 2 mm away from the binding edge.

• The spine of perfect-bound covers should be designed 1 mm wider than the content block.

11. For envelopes, we recommend leaving at least 10 mm of empty space between the design and the edges.
12. For a quality cliché, we need a vector graphics PDF file, wherein the colour of the foil stamping surface is K-100% (avoid using other colours in the cliché file), the text is converted to curves and the line thickness is at least 0.15 mm.

• The line thickness of negative clichés depends on the material to be used. To ensure quality results, we recommend using clichés with a polymer counter-plate.