Artwork Requirements & Specifications
PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION BEFORE YOU UPLOAD ARTWORK
In order to process your print order with the utmost speed and minimum fuss, it is vitally important for every customer to comply with our artwork specifications and requirements. Along with the type of products and services we offer is the way we require art to be supplied so as to be able to produce consistently good results every time. “Plan well and you will be rewarded with great results”
As an architect requires fundamental knowledge before he builds, so to does a graphic professional require basic specifications in order to realise the finished printed product. In order to receive a good printed result you must create well constructed artwork. We are simply your print manufacturer at the end of the line. You are the architect of your design, we are the construction company putting it all together, and if we are given badly constructed artwork it will probably end with a less than perfect result...
REQUIREMENTS
The basic construction components of any good files are made up of CMYK, or CMYK plus spot colours.
ONLINE ORDERING INFORMATION
When ordering online you must take full responsibility from the information gained from the file upload report for each and every order you place.
PDF’S ARE NOW THE STANDARD
Whilst we accept other file formats, PDF’s are definitely the most preferred file format. Ensure all fonts are embedded, all colours and images are CMYK, (unless CMYK and Spot colour required, an additional cost will apply)
DO NOT UPLOAD RGB FILES!
If you upload files that are RGB they will automatically be converted to CMYK - this conversion is not a recommended outcome as many colours may not output with required results - (e.g. quite often when an RGB yellow is converted to CMYK it may convert with a percentage of Cyan in the CMYK mix which can give it a limey yellow appearance). CJ Kings will not accept responsibility for the outcome of such files, but if we pick up the problem before it is printed we will contact you to ascertain if you would like to cancel the order.
CONVERT YOUR FONTS
In order to avoid font incompatibility when printing, it is a requirement that you convert your fonts to 'outline' or 'curves'. This terminology can vary according to you design package. While we try to keep a complete list of fonts there are a multitude of fonts (and variations) available, slight changes in font types, names and styles may result in printing errors. If you do not convert your fonts, errors may result on the job needing to be reprinted at the client's expense.
OVERPRINTING
Make sure you also check for any overprinting errors within your artwork. you can do this by cycling the 'overprint preview' view on Acrobat or your art program.
Overprinting is also a great method to blend colours! if your experiencing slight white lines between where colours touch a good idea is to lip the colours over one another by approximately 0.2pt and applying overprinting to the above layer (providing there is nothing else below this overprinted layer). email brendan@cjking.com.au or phone 07 5564 2022 for more information.
INCLUDE BLEED AND TRIM MARKS
When preparing and uploading files it is imperative to include minimum 3mm bleed to ALL artwork that has image or colour extending outside the trim marks. If you do not put trim marks on your artwork we will not accept responsibility for the job being off centre.
INTERNAL BORDERS - VITALLY IMPORTANT
If you have artwork with borders that go to the finished edge of any printed job, it is imperative that they be at least 3mm thick from the edge of the finished product. Our trimming tolerance is +/- 1mm, so if your internal borders are set at 2mm, you may end up with a border which is 3mm at one side and 1mm at the other. (It is recommended that you avoid boarders where possible as we cannot accept responsibility for uneven trimming).
INK SATURATION (except UV printing, see below)
Be very mindful of not using to much ink coverage. As a rule never use more then 300 % ink coverage i.e. 100C 100M 100Y 0K =300% ink out of a maximum 400%. The more saturated the colours the more difficult it is to dry, trim, fold etc and could cause scuffing or set off
UV PRINTING
Although most of the standard settings for standard printing will also apply to UV printing, there are a few minor differences that need to be pointed out.
INK SATURATION - Avoid maximum ink saturation of more than 250%. Dot gain on non porous material needs to be minimised and reducing the total amount of ink applied will help significantly.
SOLID BLACKS - To avoid 'muddy' blacks, we recommend that you set up your blacks as 100%K and 50%C. Please don't include any other colours in your blacks.
Failure to comply may result in substand results that we cannot be held responsible for.
TRIMMING
On some rare occasions, due to our 'Gang Printing' process, there may be slight alignment issues resulting in image movement on the printed sheet. If this occurs, CJ King & Co cannot be held responsible for reprinting as the effect is outside our control. This may also result in slight shift when trimming of up to 1-2mm. We suggest you keep all artwork away from trimmed edges to minimise this effect. Trimming misalignment will not costitute a reprint, this may be more apparent on business cards or any job where artwork is close to the trimmed edge.
CANCELLATION OF ORDERS
Cancellation fee applies to any order that is found to be problematic because it has not been designed to specifications. This also applies if a customer rings up to cancel a job for whatever reason
Cancellations will incur a fee based on the following formula:
- Business cards, Stickers etc. - $11.00
- A4, DL Comp, A3, Envelopes,Presentation folders, Dye Subs,Slimlines, A2, KingFoil, Plastic cards, Greeting cards, magnets - $55.00
- All books & Magazines - $75.00 (inc GST)
Administration fee (minimum) plus any cost of plates/proofs if applicable.