File Formats
We accept most correctly prepared press ready file formats for printing, but best results are usually achieved by supplying press ready pdf files with 3mm bleed if applicable.

Other Tips

1. Compose screens of as many process colours as possible. (When they overlay each other they tend to cover better.)
2. Boost fountain steps to the maximum (256+)
3. All scans should be saved as CMYK or grayscale in TIFF format. Do not use RGB images.
4. When using graduated blends, please note that lighter ones are preferable as darker blends tend to band. Introduce noise to blends to help counter banding problems.
5. Never submit a file for output with anything other than the files to be output. It can cause confusion and waste time and your money.

Colours may slightly vary from day to day and press to press. Various conditions affect colours printed by the CMYK Processes and for this reason CMYK Colour Online will not be held responsible for any reprint as a result of colour fluctuations, densities and variations.

If you upload files that are RGB they will automatically be converted to CMYK - many colours may not output as they appear on screen - (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). CMYK Colour Online will not accept responsibility for the outcome of such files.

Bleed

For borderless printing files must have a minimum of 3mm internal and external  bleed. For magazines, booklets, magnets and stickers, 5mm internal and external bleed is required.

Please note there can be a trimming variance of plus or minus 1-2 millimeter due to automated cutting systems, allow for this when setting up artwork. Allow 3-5mm bleed all round and keep important information 3-5mm in from trim lines.

If you have artwork with borders that go to the finished edge of any printed job, it is imperative that they be at least 5mm thick from the edge of the finished product. Our trimming tolerance is +/- 1-2mm, so if your internal borders are set at 3mm, you may end up with a border which is 3mm at one side and 1mm at the other.

Envelopes
The paper used for manufacture of envelopes is not the same material as normal business stationery. Please be aware that printing is usually lighter (especially CMYK / Full colour) on envelopes to avoid "set off" (where the ink from one envelope smudges onto the back side of the envelope above it during the printing process. Colours may slightly vary from day to day and press to press. Various conditions affect colours printed by the CMYK and Pantone Processes and for this reason CMYK Colour Online will not be held responsible for any reprint as a result of colour fluctuations, densities and variations.

Folding
Paper being made of fibre can naturally crack ink on the fold line of a print job. This is unavoidable. If this is an issue we recommend avoiding heavy ink coverage in your design where the folding is to occur.

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