Artwork Tips

Artwork Tips

Have you ever had an artwork question and either didn't know where to find the answer or were a little embarrassed to ask? If so, you've come to the right place.

As the name of this page suggests, this is a compilation of information, answers and tips for common artwork questions and queries.

Accepted File Formats

Artwork Sizes

Bleed

Image Resolution

Saddle stitching

Perfect Binding

Folding Information

Invoice / Quote Carbonless Book & Pads

Envelope Sizes and Printing

Plastic Loyalty Cards

Presentation Folders

RGB, CMYK and PMS Spot Colours

Explanation of blacks

Fonts and line thickness

 

 

Accepted File Formats

What types of files do you accept?

Our preferred file format is press ready PDF’s, however we do accept other file types as long as the artwork is correctly prepared for commercial printing. Please see below:

- Illustrator files (.ai)
- Photoshop files (.psd)
- InDesign files with all links embedded (.indd)
- EPS files
- Word Documents (.doc, .docx)
- Publisher files (.pub)
- Image file formats (.bmp, .tiff, .jpeg, .png)

What file sizes do you accept?

The maximum file size that we accept is 500 megabytes.  However, it is quite rare to receive such large files as most artwork correctly prepared for commercial printing is under that limit.

Do you have guideline templates?

Yes we certainly do. Please click here to view our extensive range of guideline templates. When using the templates please ensure you read the “read me” file first.

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Artwork Sizes

What artwork sizes do you offer?

Our size specifications in millimetres:

Items:	Finish Size	With Bleed (3mm)	With Bleed (5mm)
Bookmark - small	55x200	61x206
Bookmark - large	55X250	61x256
Business Card	54x86	60X92
Business Card	55x90	61x96
Postcard	100x150	106x156
A6	105X148	111x154
DL	99x210	105X216	109X220
DL Envelope	110x220
Double DL	198x210	204x216
A5	148.5x210	154.5x216	158.5x220
A4	210x297	216x303	220x307
A3	297x420	303x426
A2	420x594	426x600
A1	595x840	601x826
A0	840x1189	846x1195

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Bleed

Do I need to include bleed with my artwork?

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

Please click here  to download our guideline templates (please ensure you read the “instructions” file first.)

How much internal bleed do you require?
We require 3mm of internal as well as external bleed on all files (5mm on all magazines/booklets, plastic business cards, loyalty cards and presentation folders).

This means all text/important graphics must be kept a minimum of 3mm (5mm) from the trim edge of your artwork.

How much external bleed do you require?
We require 3mm of external bleed on all files (5mm on all magazines/booklets and presentation folders).

External bleed is the area extending past the trim line, it allows for a small amount of movement that may occur when your order is being cut to size.

Please refer to the following A6 artwork with 3mm of internal and external bleed (click to enlarge).

 

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Image Resolution

A common printing mistake is to set image resolution too low or too high.  

An image with a resolution that is too low will result in inferior image quality, a resolution that's too high will increase overall file size and printing time without actually increasing the image quality.  

We advise all images in your artwork are always set at 300dpi when placed at 100%.  

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Saddle stitching

Saddle stitching is a form of binding in which all pages are bound in the centre of the booklet from the outside in using wire staples.  At CMYK Colour Online we offer an extensive range of saddle stitched magazines/booklets.  We print magazines/booklets in A4, A5 and DL sizes in both landscape and portrait orientation.  We also offer a large range of self cover and hard cover options.   

When ordering saddle stitched magazines/booklets, it is very important that all artwork has been set correctly.  To assist in preparing your artwork correctly, please click here to view detailed explanations, information and images.  For guideline templates please click here. Before using our templates, please ensure you always read the “read me” file first.

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Perfect Binding

Perfect binding is a form of booklet making in which all pages are glued along the spine using special adhesive (all of our perfect bound books are created with PUR adhesive).   PUR adhesive offers a distinct performance advantage in comparison to regular glues.  For further information in regard to this please follow the links provided below.

We print perfect bound books in A4 and A5 sizes.  We also offer of a combination of different hard cover and text pages options.    

When supplying artwork for perfect bound books it is very important that all artwork has been created correctly.  To assist you in doing this we have included  artwork instructions, helpful information and diagrams (please see the link below).  We strongly recommend that all customers read and view our artwork instructions before supplying artwork for perfect bound books. If you are not experienced in preparing this type of artwork for commercial printing, we reccomend that you consult with a graphic designer.

 

How to supply artwork for perfect bound books

What is PUR adhesive?

 

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Folding Information

At CMYK Colour Online we offer a number of different folded brochures. Although our most common is an A4 roll folded to DL we do have a large variety of options available when it comes to folded brochures.

When creating artwork for folded brochures, it is very important to set the panel orientations and the fold locations correctly. To assist you in this, we have created detailed explanations, folding diagrams and templates for all of our folded brochures.  Please refer to the links provided below:

A4 Brochures Roll Folded to DL



A4 Brochures Z-Folded to DL



A4 Brochures Folded in half to A5



A3 Brochures Folded in half to A4



Double DL Brochures Folded to DL

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 Invoice / Quote Carbonless Books & Pads

At CMYK Colour Online we provide extensive options for carbonless (NCR) printing.  We print both books and pads in duplicate, triplicate and quadruplicate in a number of different sizes.  Prices and delivery estimates for all of our carbonless books and pads can be found by clicking here and navigating to the items you require.

 

When ordering carbonless books or pads, it is important that all artwork has been set correctly.  To assist in preparing your artwork correctly, please click here to view detailed explanations, information and images for carbonless printing.  For guideline templates please click here. Before using our templates, please ensure you always read the “read me” file first.

 

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Envelope Sizes and Printing

At CMYK Colour Online we provide extensive options for printing envelopes.  We offer envelops in many different sizes.  Envelopes may be printed in one colour, two colours or full colour (CMYK).  For DL and DLX sizes we offer both plain faced and window faced envelopes.  Prices and delivery estimates for all of envelopes can be found by clicking here and navigating to the items you require.

When ordering envelopes it is important that all artwork has been set correctly.  To assist in preparing your artwork correctly, please click here to view detailed explanations, information and diagrams for envelope printing. 

For guideline templates please click here. Before using our templates, please ensure you always read the “read me” file first. Prices and delivery estimates for all of our envelopes can be found by clicking here and navigating to the items you require.

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Plastic Loyalty Cards

Plastic Loyalty Cards are a great way to encourage repeat customers to your business!  Our plastic loyalty cards are printed on 0.75mm high quality PVC plastic with rounded corners.  Cards are printed double sided and can include any of the following additional features: 

•  Magnetic strip (without encoding) Lo-Co
•  Signature Panel
• Scratch Panel
• Embossed Numbers
• Barcodes

Prices and delivery estimates for our plastic loyalty cards can be found by clicking here and navigating to the items you require.

When ordering plastic loyalty cards it is important that all artwork has been set correctly.  To assist in preparing your artwork correctly, please click here to view detailed explanations, information and diagrams.

For guideline templates please click here. Before using our templates, please ensure you always read the “read me” file first.

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Presentation Folders

At CMYK Colour Online we offer a number of presentation folder options.  Prices and delivery estimates can be found by clicking here and navigating to the items you require.

• All  presentation folders are interlocking (not glued) and are supplied unassembled (flat)
• All folders contain landscape business card slits which can hold one business card
• Presentation folders can be printed single sided or double sided on 310gsm  or 400gsm board
• They can be ordered with our without laminate (gloss or matt)
• Folders can contain one or two flaps, with or without a 4mm gusset

When ordering presentation folders, it is very important that the artwork is set correctly. Our guideline templates must be used to create ALL presentation folder artwork. Guideline templates can be found by clicking here and selecting the style/option you require.  Before using our templates, please make sure you read the “read me” file first.

To further assist in preparing your artwork, please click here to view detailed explanations, information and diagrams.

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RGB, CMYK and PMS Spot Colours

What is the difference between RGB and CMYK?

Red, Green, and Blue (RGB), is the language of computer monitors, domestic scanners and domestic printers.

Cyan, Magenta and Yellow are “subtractive colours”. - Combine cyan, magenta and yellow on paper, and you get what perceives to be black. In practice, printing inks contain impurities that prevent them from absorbing light perfectly. They do a pretty good job with light colours, but when you add them all together, they produce a murky brown rather than black (K). In order to get strong rich dark colours, black (K) ink is added in increasing proportions, as the colour gets darker and darker thus commercial printing is done in CMYK.

We only print in full CMYK and only accept CMYK artwork. If you upload files that are RGB or spot / pantone colours they will automatically be converted to CMYK, this can slightly change colours as they may appear different from what is seen on screen.  CMYK Colour Online will not accept responsibility for the outcome of such files.

What is PMS?

PMS stands for Pantone Matching System. PMS colours are standardized colours listed in the Pantone Colour Matching System. Each Pantone colour has a specific code which different printers and manufacturers can refer to in order to ensure colour consistency.

Do you print spot/PMS colours?

With the exception of envelopes and carbonless books, we only print items in full colour (CMYK).

What is the maximum ink coverage I can use in my artwork?

The maximum ink coverage is 300% for coated stocks and 260% for uncoated stocks. If you add up the cyan, magenta, yellow and black percentages, the total sum should be less than 300% (or 260%).


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Explanation of blacks

What type of black do you recommend I use in my artwork?

Please ensure all fine black text/lines are set to this (C=0%, M=0%, Y=0%, K=100%). All such text/lines should also be set to overprint.

For a full rich black we recommend you use the combination of C=40%, M=0%, Y=0%, K=100%. Rich black should only be used for areas 30mm square or larger, excluding text.

Photoshop Default Black

Do not use Photoshop Default Black (C=75%, M=68%, Y=67%, K=90%).  It is fine for web sites/screen presentations; however it is not appropriate for commercial printing.

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Fonts and line thickness

What is the minimum line thickness I should use in my artwork? 

The minimum line thickness used in your artwork should be 0.3pt (all text should be at least 6pt).

What thickness should my borders be?

Please ensure all borders are a minimum of 5mm wide. Due to automated cutting systems there can be a +/- 2mm trimming variance, if borders are too narrow this can result in uneven borders after trimming.

How should the fonts in my artwork be set up?

Please ensure all fonts in your artwork are outlined (converted to curves). If this is not possible please ensure all fonts are fully embedded in your artwork. 

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