Suitable file formats

Acrobat PDF  

Is our preferred format, as either single page (one PDF with single or multiple pages) or ‘printers pairs’ (details below).

Spreads are suitable for 4 page documents, but should not be supplied for books that require binding.

You can create a PDF from the majority of software packages, usually via SAVE AS or EXPORT AS.

Please be sure when saving your PDF that you use the ‘MARKS & BLEED’ settings (details of these below).

Indesign INDD 

This format is preferred if amendments are required or variable data is to be added. 

Indesign documents must be supplied with all fonts and links (you can do this via: FILE, PACKAGE). 

Illustrator AI or EPS

This format is preferred for large format printing or documents requiring amendments or re-design. 

Please supply all links & embed or outline fonts (unless amendments are required, in which case please supply all fonts used).

JPG or PSD - Photoshop

Supplied at a minimum of 300dpi at the correct size (plus 3mm bleed if neccassary). 

Microsoft documents are not recommended for print, although we will do our utmost to help if this is the only format available, a PDF of your word document would be more appropriate.

Colours

Our HP Indigo prints using a 4 colour process (with options for special colours - white, grey, violet & orange), therefore your file needs to be setup in CMYK colour mode, this includes all images that are placed within your document, these should be converted before being placed.

Please be sure when supplying files to be printed on the Indigo that RGB is not used, this may result in images looking weak and washed out.

To include grey, orange or violet simply use your prefered colour within your artwork set as a SPOT colour.

For white ink layering please see our handy set up guide below.

Guides

When supplying guides for folding, die cutting or perforation, please add these on a seperate layer and create them in magenta or cyan for clarity.

Handy tip: Use solid lines for cuts and dashed lines for folds & perfs.

For foil, emboss, deboss etc, please provide a PDF with the Foil (or emboss, etc) artwork in position with crops in order for us to have a die made. If we are to foil over print (supplied by you or printed by us) please supply a visual PDF with your 'foil' in place (preferably in magenta or cyan for clarity) over your print artwork.

Bleed & Crop Marks

Any objects in your artwork that touch the edge of the document need to 'bleed' off the edge by at least 2mm. For instance a background colour or image should spread to cover the entire bleed area.

2mm bleed minumum is required on each edge, for example A4 (210mm x 297mm) with bleed = 214mm x 301mm.

Where possible please provide crop/trim marks offset by 2.5mm

Saving your ducument with bleed and crops

Indesign: 

1. FILE, EXPORT, Format: ADOBE PDF, SAVE.

2. Within the following window please select MARKS AND BLEEDS located on the left hand panel. You should then find tick boxes under MARKS, please tick CROP MARKS only and offset these by 2.5mm (located to the right).

3. Next please locate BLEED AND SLUG, if you have created a document with bleed settings you can tick 'USE DOCUMENT BLEED SETTINGS'. Otherwise (or if you're unsure) please add 2mm to all four boxes (Top, Bottom, Left & Right).

Illustrator: 

1. FILE, SAVE AS, Format: ADOBE PDF, SAVE. 

2. Within the following window please select MARKS AND BLEEDS located on the left hand panel. You should then find tick boxes under MARKS, please tick TRIM MARKS only and offset these by 2.5mm (located to the right).

3. Next please locate BLEEDS, if you have created a document with bleed settings you can tick 'USE DOCUMENT BLEED SETTINGS'. Otherwise (or if you're unsure) please add 2mm to all four boxes (Top, Bottom, Left & Right).

Text Margin 

As a guide, it is advisable that you keep your text at least 5mm from each cut edge to allow for slight movement during the trimming process.

Do call or email for advice if you’re unsure. You can email your artwork to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a quick quality check. We are happy to advise and help you to get the exact result you require if you do not have the software or experience.

White Ink Setup

For help with setting up white ink within your artwork download our setup guide here.

Paper Sizes

SRA3 - 460mm x 320mm (this is the HP Indigo's maximum sheet size)
440mm x 308mm (this is the HP Indigo's maximum PRINT area)

A3 - 297mm x 420mm
A4 - 210mm x 297mm
A5 - 148.5mm x 210mm
A6 - 105mm x 148.5mm
A7 - 74mm x 105mm

Business Card - 85mm x 55mm
Compliment Slip (DL) - 210mm x 99mm
A4 Document Folder - 430mm x 305mm (flat)

A0 - 841mm x 1189mm
A1 - 594mm x 841mm
A2 - 420mm x 594mm

Fold Guides

Concertina fold	Roll fold
Gate fold

Handy Tips

• FST/saddle stitched booklets and brochures need to have a page count divisible by 4. i.e. 12, 16, 20, 24pp etc. 

• For books / booklets please supply either single pages (1 PDF with multiple pages) or printers pairs - never as spreads.

(Printers pairs are the position in which the pages need to be in order to be printed and collated into a book, i.e. for an 8 page booklet page 8 and page 1 should be side by side, page 2 & page 7, page 6 & page 3, and page 4 & page 5. If necessary you can make a mock up using some A4 folded paper to decide which page goes where).

• When creating files for wire binding, please allow room in the artwork for the wire, we suggest at least 15mm from the relevant edge.