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Create artwork easily & quickly


1. Lay out artwork
Resolution of graphics and images
  • Photos, images and graphics 250dpi
  • Greyscale and colour images 250dpi
  • Line art 1200dpi
  • Posters 200dpi
Colours/Colour mode
  • CMYK colour mode
  • Greyscale
  • Spot colours (HKS): ensure that the colour names are entered correctly. To prevent stained surface of your product you have to create the spot colour area as ‘leaving blank’ and not as ‘overprinting’ if another process colour (CMYK) is placed above the spot colour.
  •   If you have not selected a superior artwork check, documents in RGB mode will be automatically converted to CMYK mode. We do not accept any liability for any resulting colour deviations.
  • Please do not use mixed colours (4c) for black texts, but use 100% black regarding the K-channel for black fonts.
  • We do not need pre-separated files!
Size
  • Always apply artwork in the original size (open original end format incl. trim)!
  • Orders without superior artwork check with too big or too small artwork will be scaled automatically to the ordered size (without bleed). This can cause a negative effect on the resolution and the quality of your artwork. Please note that the scaling does not include the bleeding.
Cropping
  • Ensure that there is a surrounding bleed of 2 mm.
  • Position contents (text/images) min. 3 mm from the edge of the end format. When ordering desk or wall calendars and brochures with spiral binding please position contents min. 15 mm from the side on which the calendar will be bound.
  • Position background graphics and images which are supposed to reach the edge of the page within the cropping area.
  • Keep shingling in mind when placing images and texts in brochures!
Fonts
  • Convert lettering into paths / curves or embed completely.
  • Make sure you set the correct font size for your product (at least 6 pt!)
  • Make sure there is sufficient contrast between the background and font colour!
Lines
  • Do not use hairlines (at least 0.75 pt)! 
  • Lines which are too thin will automatically be increased to a printable size, which will make lines set at 0 pt visible.
  • Do not use frames as layout limits, as these can be partially truncated by machine tolerances.
Multiple-side documents
  • Create bound products (brochures, cd booklets etc.) as individual sides. Save consecutive individual sides in a PDF document (no double sides) or compressed in a ZIP or RAR file.
    Give individual files clear names (e.g. Sample brochure s1, Sample brochure s2…). The assignment of side numbers is based on the file identification. A sorting based on the side numbers in the file will not be done. 
  •  Exception: Create documents with multiple sides which are separated by folding (folded leaflets, covers for brochures) in a file next to each other, i.e. pre-assembled.
  • Please lay out brochures with perfect binding as follows:
    Inner sides: as consecutive, single sides in one file, beginning with the right side (side 1) and ending with the left side
    Cover: in a file with two sides (inside and outside cover) including the spine, allowing for the appropriate spine thickness 
         Side 1 = outside back cover (C4) + outside spine + outside front cover (C1)
         Side 2 = inside front cover (C2) + inside spine + inside back cover (C3)
UV-Coating
  • If you opt for a one-sided UV coating, please pay attention to the correct name of your print data according to the selected page, which is finished with UV coating.
  • Send your print data in multiple documents (one document per page), please name the document unequivocally, e.g. "Job Number, page 1, UV coating". If you send your print data in a single document (one document all pages), then the first page in the document corresponds to the front and the second to the rear page.

2. Save artwork
File formats
  • Use closed formats: PDF, JPG, TIFF, EPS, PS (PostScript).
  • PDF/ X-standard (PDF/ X3-standard or PDF/ X1a-standard).
  • As a basic principle, keep compatibility 1.3.  (i.e. use of PDF-Version 1.3; Acrobat 4.0 compatible) in mind.
  • Reduce TIFF files to one layer!
  • In the case of PDFs which are created in CorelDRAW, there may be an inaccurate representation of colours. Please therefore only use CorelDRAW to create JPEG files.
Multiple-side documents
  • Ensure that the files are described clearly (e.g. order number s1, order number s2,…..)!
  • Where possible, combine products with multiple sides into one PDF document.
  • You can also transfer your files in compressed format as a ZIP or RAR file.
  •  Please always deliver brochures with perfect binding in two files: 
         Content file: consecutive single sides in a PDF file and
         Cover file: imposed file with two sides (outside and inside) including the spine

3. Transfer artwork
Artwork transmission options
  • File upload: directly after the order process using the upload centre or in the "Order Overview" section of the customer area
  • By email to data@saxoprint.co.uk: as an attachment (please provide the order number in the subject line).
     Please note that this e-mail-address is only used for data transmission, any information concerning your order will not be taken into consideration. Should you have any further hints or additional information please contact our customer service on 0808 23 44 752 or by e-mail to service@saxoprint.co.uk.
Standard Artwork Check
  • Our “Standard Artwork Check” is always included and the following will be checked:
  • if your artwork is provided in a closed and correct file format (PDF, JPG, TIFF, EPS or PS)
  • if the number of pages is correct
  • if your artwork is provided in the correct size
    We will scale your artwork automatically to the desired size (without bleeding) if the provided size is incorrect.(only if possible/proportional) Please note adjustments to the size, especially when scaling up the artwork (e.g. A6  A4) can cause a decrease in the resolution and furthermore no bleeding will be added.
  • if your artwork is pre-assembled in case you have ordered folded leaflets with more than 4 sides
  • if the binding is clear to us in case you have ordered brochures
  • if perforation lines have been indicated and whether they are possible at all
  • if your artwork is provided as greyscale (if you have ordered one colour printing (black))
  • if HKS spot colours have been laid out and named correctly (if spot colours were ordered)
  • your artwork will be converted automatically into CMYK if it was created in RGB colour mode or with spot colours
    Please note that the conversion can cause colour differences.
  • if all fonts are embedded
  • Our customer service will contact you immediately by email if your artwork present any of the problems mentioned above. Please note that conversions of size and colour mode will be processed automatically and there will be no information. Furthermore, we will not check if the side sequence of your artwork is correct.
Superior Artwork Check
  • Use our “Superior Artwork Check” if you are uncertain whether your artwork meets all our requirements and if a high quality product can be provided. For a small fee of £14.10, the professional pre-press staff will carry out a review of your artwork files on the basis of the following checklist in addition to the standard artwork check:
  • if there are any layers or transparencies in the artwork files (Advice: can be avoided if you provide a PDF 1.3 compatible with Acrobat 4.0)
  • if your artwork is provided in the correct size
     Should your size differ from the one you have ordered our customer service will get in contact with you immediately, although we might be able to scale it.
  • if a bleed of 2 mm has been provided
  • if the correct type of fold has been chosen and if the layout matches the position of the folding lines when ordering folded leaflets (gate fold, letterfold, z-fold, landscape or portrait)
  • if there is enough space between letters/graphic elements and the border (at least 3 mm)
  • if your artwork is provided in CMYK colour mode
     Our customer service will get in contact with you if your artwork files are not created in CMYK. At your express request we can convert your artwork into CMYK, however this may result in colour deviations.
  • if the image resolution is sufficient (at least 250 dpi, posters at least 200 dpi, line art 1,200 dpi)
  • If your artwork presents any of the problems mentioned above our customer service will contact you immediately by email. Please note that no automatic conversions/adjustments will be made. Please also note that we will not check if the side sequence of your artwork is correct.
Galley proof
  • Please be aware that the galley proof will be delivered as a digital print and with no further processing on 80 gsm offset paper. It is therefore not colour consistent and will not be printed on the ordered paper!
  • The maximum format for the galley proof is A3.
    Galley proofs for products which are larger than A3 (e.g. advertising posters and posters) will be produced in A3 format.
  • We will send you the galley proof by post after receipt of your artwork. Delivery time is 6-10 working days.
     

Would you like to find out more about these topics?

In our detailed and illustrative artwork guide you learn what to pay attention to when creating printable artwork files.

Download Artwork guide
 
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