Suppling Files For Print
We support all professional graphics programs either from a Mac or PC.
When emailing your files, please make a .sit or .zip of your files. This compresses the files into one archive for emailing.
Do I have to provide my own artwork?
All our prices are based upon you providing print ready artwork for your order. If you require artwork layout or alterations this can be provided at an additional cost.
Graphic Designer
A great printed item starts with great design. We suggest you engage a graphic designer, typesetter or finished artist to provide high quality print ready artwork. This ensures a high quality finished printed item.
You can refer your designer to our templates section for the products that you require.
What is a print ready file?
A print ready file is a high resolution PDF file, with bleed, trim marks, CMYK format with no alteration or further work required. We simply place your finished artwork on our print run. The best file format to supply us with is a PDF. This format includes all fonts, images and art details, the layout you see on your screen is what we print.
Please ensure your artwork is in CMYK format, not RGB. For the best results, engage a Graphic Designer to prepare quality artwork for your business.
The print ready file will be set up to the correct size with correct placement of text and bleed with our recommended safe print areas. Colour spaces are correct for the required product and vector art and outlined text is applied where applicable. To download our print guideline templates see our templates page.
What if my artwork is not print ready?
All files will be checked for print readiness. Major discrepancies will be notified and new files may be requested, this will add to the production time. If we are required to amend the files some extra cost may be incurred.
Resolution
If creating or using images in a program like Adobe Photoshop, your files should be at least 300dpi at final print size. You can check this in Photoshop via the Image menu then the Image Size option.
CMYK - RGB
For offset printing we require all files to be supplied in CMYK. This represents Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. RGB is Red Green and Blue and is the colour space for on screen viewing.
CMYK - Spot Colour
We can print in either CMYK or Spot / PMS / Pantone colour. For short run orders CMYK is more cost effective as an individual run has to be scheduled when using spot colours. For more information download our information sheet.
Fonts
If supplying artwork in Quark Xpress or Indesign all fonts must be supplied that you have used.
File Formats
We love to receive your artwork as a high resolution PDF. But if you can't supply a PDF - the just send us one of the following formats. Indesign, Illustrator, Freehand, QuarkXpress, High Res JPG, TIF, EPS or PSD (Photoshop)
Microsoft Publisher or Word files are not offset print ready files, A conversion fee may apply.
Bleed
All files supplied to Splash Print require 3mm bleed beyond the trim size of your job. So if your ordering a 90x55mm Business card, your artwork should be set up 96x61mm, the extra 3mm on each side gets trimmed off in the printing process.
See the quick guide below for trim and bleed sizes.
If your software allows, please place trim marks on your file, and ensure that the artwork is in the centre of the PDF file. We only need trim marks, no colour bars or page information.
Also, any text should be kept 3mm inside the trim size, in a safe area of 84x49mm, this will ensure that your cards are produced to the highest standard. If you are unsure of how to set up your card, download our printable card sizing and bleed PDF. You can also download templates for all standard print sizes on our templates page
Things to check when sending us your PDF file
Has it got bleed and trim marks? Is it high resolution - do any images appear in high quality when viewed at full screen size? Is it one up - you just need to send us a 1 up image for the front, and 1up for the back.
| Trim & Bleed Quick Reference Guide | ||
| Trim Size | Bleed Size | |
| Standard Business Card | 90x55mm | 96x61mm |
| Standard Postcard | 150x100mm | 156x106mm |
| DL Postcard / Flyer / With comp slip | 210x99mm | 216x105mm |
| A5 Flyer | 210x148mm | 216x154mm |
| A4 Letterhead / Flyer | 297x210mm | 303x216mm |
| A3 Brochure / Poster | 420x297mm | 426x303mm |
| A2 Poster | 594x420mm | 600x426mm |
| A1 Poster | 841x594mm | 847x600mm |
| A0 Poster | 1189x841mm | 1195x847mm |
