Upload your artwork for print as a PDF
Our preferred file type is a 'Press Quality' PDF (Acrobat 5 (PDF 1.4) or later).
This can be saved from any of the industry standard graphics applications such as:
Adobe InDesign®
Adobe Illustrator®
Adobe Photoshop®
QuarkXpress®
Corel Draw®
If you are familiar with Adobe Distiller, we have some optimised settings that you can load in ready for PDF creation, please ask for a copy.
If your chosen software can't produce a PDF, then you may be able to save a 'flattened' graphics file such as a TIF or JPG file. If you are using this option, please ensure that you save the files at 300dpi resolution.
PDF Version 1.3 - transparency and flattening
If your artwork contains transparent artwork and is saved as PDF version 1.3 it usually needs to undergo a process called Flattening. Flattening divides artwork into vector-based areas and rasterized areas. As artwork becomes more complex for example mixing images, vectors, type and overprinting so does the flattening and it's results.
Flattening can result in images being sliced into individual sections. If your artwork exceeds our recommended ink limit for your chosen stock our automatic preflight software will reduce the ink levels for the individual sections affected. For this reason we do not recommend supplying your files using PDF version 1.3, which does not support transparencies.
Please see above for advice on exporting your PDFs.
I don’t have a PDF or flattened graphics file, can you work from my native file?
Yes, absolutely. We prefer PDF files, but if you don’t have one then we’ll be able to work with your native files. Please contact us to discuss your project further.
Please make sure you have read our the minimum essential guidelines before sending your files to us.
