Prepare your files using CMYK as the colour mode rather than RGB.
Using special colours (Pantone), enter the desired values in the colour channel or prepare a separate page or file for this colour only.
We recommend creating grey areas in greyscale (black tint).
Size
Create files in their final size.
If possible, your files will be automatically scaled to the order format. Please note that scaling a smaller format to a larger format may lead to a reduction in resolution. For example, scaling an A5 leaflet to an A4 leaflet can affect resolution and loss of quality.
Trimming surpluses - bleeds
To avoid white unprinted edges, always add a trimming allowance (bleed) to the ordered size.
Standard trimming allowance: 2 mm
Ensure that colours, background images and layouts are extended into the bleed area to avoid white lines as a result of cutting tolerances.
Safety margin
Keep all contents at least 3 mm from the edge of the finished size.
In the case of folders, folded leaflets, etc., a safety margin must also be applied to the fold lines.
Avoid using borders around the page in your designs. Due to the tolerance of mechanical cutting, irregularities may be visible and affect the aesthetics of the final product.
Images and resolutions
Photos, images and graphics: 300 dpi
Grey scales and colour images: 300 dpi
Line graphics (e.g. small font texts and drawings): 1,200 dpi
Advertising posters, advertising technology with text: 150 dpi
Large-format products: 72 dpi
Line weights
CMYK printing: line thickness should be at least 0.1mm (0.250 pt)
Hot-stamping/sit-printing/letterpress (gravure embossing): Line thickness should be at least 0.15mm
Convex embossing: The thickness of the lines should be at least 0.2mm/0.5mm - depending on the order configuration (to be agreed individually)
Lines that are too thin may not print or may be broken or interrupted
File formats
Always save your files in print-ready format, preferably PDF (PDF/X-4 or PDF 1.6), JPG, TIFF, EPS.
Avoid using multiple layers (optional content) in PDF files.
Replace all possible effects such as transparencies, shadows etc. with flattened bitmaps to avoid conversion and colour changes.
Fonts
Convert fonts to outlines (vector objects) or settle them to avoid typeface mismatches and ensure that the font encoding in the PDF is correct.
Avoid colour components for black text; instead, set the font colour to 100% K.
Avoid placing light thin fonts on a dark background. Due to the natural dispersion of toner or ink, thin elements may be flooded.
Make sure that the colour difference between the background and the font is sufficient.
Spot UV and Metallic colors (3D relief foiling)
Prepare a separate page or file (so-called mask) for spot UV varnish or metallic 3D. Mark the elements to be varnished or spot foiled in black. In the case of the 3D metellic effect these elements must not appear on CMYK pages (for example, the logo should only appear on the mask).
The smallest element should not be smaller than 0.4 mm and the gaps between them should not less than 0.5 mm. If these gaps are smaller then 'flooding' of this gap may occur.
Do not design raised spot UV or 3D metallic foil to the edges. Maintain 3 mm spacing.
Brochure and catalogue pages
For multi-page products, prepare individual pages with bleeds in sequential order.
Checklist PDF