SETTING UP ARTWORK FOR PRINT
When submitting artwork for printing, it’s vital that the file is set-up correctly. Not only will it save you time, but will also save you money and will ensure the quality of your printed product is perfect.
There are three main elements that all printers need including in artwork – an easy way to remember them is ABC: alignment, bleed and crop.
Alignment
Alignment refers to where your content is placed on the page – too close to the edge and it risks being cropped-off when the page is trimmed to size. We recommend keeping all text and images within 5mm of the finished page.
Bleed
Bleed is an area of the artwork that allows colour to run to the edge of the page. Whenever your artwork extends to the edge of a document, you must set up a bleed area to avoid strips of white paper showing on the edges of your print, should the batch be misaligned when cut to size.
Crop
Crop lines or crop marks simply indicate to the printer where your document should be cut.
Why do we need alignment, bleed and crop?
Paper is an organic material, meaning that temperature and moisture can affect the page. When our machines are running at full capacity, heat builds up and can make the paper expand or contract very slightly, offsetting the registration. Our state-of-the-art printing presses control this offset to within the width of a human hair, but us printers tend to be perfectionists and so we need alignment tolerance, bleed and crop guides from our clients to ensure your print job is perfect!
