Preparing your artwork for printing is crucial for avoiding delays and ensuring high-quality results. This guide outlines essential steps to consider before sending your designs to the printer.
1. **File Inspection:** Thoroughly review your artwork. Correct any spelling or grammar errors. Verify that all images used are high resolution to prevent pixelation in the final print. This initial check can save significant time and frustration.
2. **Understanding Bleed:** Bleed refers to the extended portion of your design that goes beyond the final trim size. Any images or design elements intended to reach the edge of the printed piece should extend into the bleed area. A standard bleed area of 2mm on each edge is recommended to prevent white lines from appearing if the cut is slightly off. Keep essential text well within the safe area, away from the trim edge.
3. **Text Placement:** For optimal readability and visual appeal, position critical text elements at least 8-10mm away from the flyer’s edge. This prevents the text from being accidentally trimmed or appearing too close to the edge.
4. **Resolution Requirements:** Ensure your artwork has a resolution of at least 300dpi (dots per inch). Higher resolutions generally produce sharper and more detailed prints. Avoid using low-resolution images, as they will appear blurry or pixelated when printed.
5. **File Format Compatibility:** When submitting artwork with uncommon fonts, convert the text to outlines or flatten the design into a JPEG or TIFF file. This prevents font substitution issues during the printing process. Common and reliable file formats include vector files such as .EPS and .PDF, as well as program-specific formats like those from Quark, Illustrator, Photoshop, Corel Draw, InDesign. Vector files generally provide the best print quality.
6. **Color Considerations:** Be aware that monitor colors may not perfectly match printed colors, especially without a calibrated monitor. Confirm that your color choices are accurate and appropriate for print before submitting your artwork. Converting to CMYK color mode is also recommended.
7. **Final Review:** Before sending your files to the printer, conduct a final, comprehensive review to ensure everything is as expected. It’s always beneficial to have a fresh pair of eyes look over your design.
**Important Considerations: Borders and Ink Drying Time**
Due to the rapid turnaround times for flyer printing, sheets are often trimmed shortly after printing. While efforts are made to allow ink to dry completely, this isn’t always possible. When one side of a flyer is white and the other has a rich, dark color extending to the edge, slight powdering of the dark ink onto the white side can occur. Consider using borders to mitigate this issue.
Borders can add a classic aesthetic to your flyer, but ensure they are positioned a few millimeters from the trim edge. Due to the printing process, precise border alignment to the exact tenth of a millimeter cannot be guaranteed. This is why a 2mm bleed is necessary. The cutting blade may vary slightly, and the printer cannot be held liable for minor border imperfections.