Guide to Supplying Artwork

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More bright thinking from Newton Print www.newtonprint.co.uk

We want the same thing that you want. We want your files to print with no problems and look like you meant them to. Even if youre a professional designer and are used to supplying files for print, please read this guide anyway Before you start:
Check your artwork has been set up correctly prior to producing final PDFs. The points below are common errors: l  Is your document set up to the correct finished trimmed size? l  Is the document set as single pages (i.e. an A3 spread is two A4s side by side, not a single A3 page) this is important for generating PDFs which will run seemlessly through our processing system. l A  re any colour images used in RGB? If so, change to CMYK. l A  re your images the correct resolution (minimum 300dpi, enlarged by no more than 130% when placed; line art preferably 600dpi)? l  Does the document include 3mm bleed (printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after trimming)? l  Have your colours been set correctly as CMYK process or Spot colour? If spot have you specified Pantone references? If large solid areas of black have been used, its a good idea to use a CMYK mix of 40% cyan, 40% magenta, 40% yellow and 100% black to give a good, rich black colour but please dont apply this to text. If in any doubt ... please call us on 0800 183 0480.

Supplying PDF files to Newton Print

Our platemaking system works entirely on a PDF workflow. This has the benefit of eliminating text reflows and other issues which can sometimes arise when receiving artwork created in page layout programs. All artwork needs to be supplied preferably as high-resolution PDF files with fonts embedded and no sub-settings. The PDF needs to be single pages not spreads/facing pages (multiple page documents are fine just as long as the pages are single and not spreads). Our sophisticated imposition software will arrange the pages in the correct order for printing so you never have to worry about rearranging them before you send them to us. Sending us a hard copy mock-up is always a good idea though. Please ensure that the final page size of your artwork is set to the final trimmed size of the job and that you have allowed for bleed of 3mm. Please do not set smaller jobs within larger pages, the page size should always be the finished trimmed size of the job. Follow our simple guides to create a PDF thats perfect for our system

Adobe InDesign users

For the optimum quality PDF use the export setting PDF/X-1a:2001 with trim marks offset at 3mm and bleed set at 3mm see images. No other settings need to be altered for our systems. If youd rather send us the native files please Package (from the File menu) all linked graphics and fonts and either send on a disc or upload a zipped file to our Dropbox. NB If using InDesign CS5 please additionally export to IDML as we are currently running CS4. In this case we would ideally prefer to receive PDFs.

Quark Xpress users

The following instructions have been created for use with Quark Xpress 8. From File > Export > Layout as PDF, select the PDF/X1a:2001 setting but modify as per the illustrations below. Alternatively, send us the native files by going to File > Collect for Output and saving all linked images and fonts. Either send us the complete job on CD/DVD or upload a zipped file to our Dropbox.

NB There are stability issues attached to PDFs created in earlier versions of Quark XPress which may mean your PDF is incorrectly formatted. We would advise creating a postscript file and running that through Acrobat Distiller on the Press setting to produce a final PDF using the following steps:
Step 1: Page Setup Select Adobe PDF Paper size: Select the actual trim size of your document. If the paper size you are using isnt featured in the list, scroll down to manage custom sizes and add your paper size to the list. Select paper size and click ok. Step 2: Layout Pages: All Registration: Centred Offset: 6pt Step 3: Setup Printer description: Adobe PDF Paper size: Custom Width & Height: Type in paper width & heights that allow for your paper size + bleed and printers marks. (You can check that this amount is sufficient by clicking on preview, ensuring that the bleed, trim & registration marks are viewing within your page. Position: Centre Step 4: Output Print colours: For CMYK select Composite CMYK; if you are printing pantone colours select DeviceN Halftoning: Conventional Resolution: 2400 dpi Frequency: 200 lpi Step 5: Options Page flip: None Output: Normal Data: Binary Overprint EPS Black: Check Full Resolution TIFF Output: Check Step 6: Bleed Bleed: Symmetric Amount : 3mm. Step 7: OPI Uncheck OPI Active Tiff: Include images EPS: Include Images Step 8: Preview Check that your paper size is sufficient that all the printers marks are visible. Step 9: Printer Printer: Adobe PDF PDF: Scroll down to save as postscript. Your file name will automatically appear at the top with the extension .ps. Click Save and select destination. This will take you back to the print dialogue window, click print. Step 11: Distil ps file to create PDF file When the .ps file has been created Distill the file using Acrobat Distiller to save as a high resolution PDF, ensuring your distiller settings are set to PDF/X-1a:2001. Your PDF file is now ready for supply to Newton Print.

Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator users

There are other things to watch out for if designing complete artwork in either of these two packages. If using Photoshop, ensure your document settings are all correct before you begin working the canvas size needs to include 3mm bleed within the overall area (e.g. an A4 210mm x 297mm poster would need to have a canvas size of 216mm x 303mm; use guidelines 3mm in from the top, bottom, left and right sides to show where your trim will be). Make sure youre working in CMYK mode (but be careful to ensure any black text is set using 0C 0M 0Y 100K only and the text layer is subsequently set to Multiply in your Layers palette) and that your image resolution is 300dpi. Remember if you design an A4 poster @ 72dpi the actual size it can then be printed at will only be 51mm x 72mm and it means you will have to redo the artwork again from scratch!! Please supply flattened files only, saved either as Photoshop PDF (PDF/X-1a:2001), Tiff or high-res Jpeg. If you would like any further advice on designing finished artwork in Photoshop please call us. If supplying artwork created in Adobe Illustrator again please ensure you are working in CMYK mode, that any spot colours used have been converted to process where necessary and that all fonts are converted to outlines before you send us the file (dont forget to keep an editable version for yourself!) Also allow for 3mm bleed. Please supply your files saved preferably as PDF (PDF/X-1a:2001) or alternatively EPS.

Not using any of the above?

You may still be able to export your artwork as a PDF from other applications. However, If your artwork has not been created in any of the main design applications weve covered in this guide we strongly recommend that for best results we re-create the artwork for you. Please supply all text files as a Microsoft Word or plain text file and all images at the resolutions as described above in before you start. We will advise the cost of this upon sight of artwork.

Need us to create your artwork from scratch for you?

If you need us to create artwork for you its no problem. All we need is a brief, together with all the text (Microsoft Word) and any logos and photos. Well do the work for you and liaise with you along the way to produce something that meets your approval. If youre short on ideas or not sure how to communicate your message, dont worry, our designers can do all that for you If you have any queries regarding amending, re-purposing or creating new artwork, please contact us to discuss on 0800 183 0480.

Sending your artwork to Newton Print

FTP Upload
You can FTP upload artwork directly to our YouSendIt Dropbox its quick and easy to use (if youre sending a folder of items youll need to compress first to a .sit or zip file) just email us and well send you a link by return.

Sending artwork on disk

Newton Print Collett Way Brunel Industrial Estate Newton Abbot Devon TQ12 4PH

CD Rom, DVD and USB memory sticks can be sent to us at:

Its useful to include a hard copy of your artwork for reference along with any other instructions, specifically folding guides and cutter guides for pocket folders. Dont forget to include a contact name, email address and telephone number in case of a query and remember to keep a copy of your file, in case we need you to undertake any changes or corrections.

We hope you have found this guide useful. If we can be of any further assistance to enable you to complete your artwork successfully do give us a call on 0800 183 0480.

Collett Way | Brunel Industrial Estate | Newton Abbot | Devon TQ12 4PH

t 01626 368986 f 01626 368991 e artwork@newtonprint.co.uk

www.newtonprint.co.uk