We understand that supplying artwork for a commercial printer can be a bit of a minefield so here at FSG we try to keep things as simple as possible.
If you’re a design whiz and would like to supply us with a print ready file, please read on to see our technical specifications.
Please ensure you supply your artwork to us with front and back combined into a single PDF file.
NOTE – Gloss and Matt Lamination on 1 side will always be treated to Page 1 of your document.
SCODIX looks best when you follow some basic design fundamentals where often LESS can be MORE when adding SCODIX to your design. There are a few rules to follow to achieve the best result when applying SCODIX.
SCODIX High Build cannot bleed outside of trim area. (Please leave 3mm from the edge of the SCODIX application to the product trim area)
NOTE: This restriction does not apply to 450+ NVS Cards – this product can bleed the Scodix outside of the trim area.
SCODIX High Build cannot be applied over the score/fold areas of a Presentation Folder. (Please leave 3mm from the SCODIX application to the product score/fold area).
When supplying final artwork, SCODIX artwork should be supplied as a single PDF, including all other pages, with a 100% Spot Colour named ‘Scodix’.
For the best effects, avoid applying SCODIX to thin lines, small text or finely detailed artwork.
Spot UV can provide a premium result when highlighting a logo, image or bold type by applying these areas with a gloss varnish, or applied as an overprinted PATTERN over solids for a more creative result. When supplying final artwork which requires Spot UV, artwork should be supplied with an extra PDF file which contains all Spot UV elements set as a Spot Colour named ‘Spot UV’. It is important to make sure that this ‘Spot layer’ exported PDF file is identical in all respects to (size, orientation, crop, position of images and text etc.) to your original CMYK artwork.
UV varnish can sometimes shift slightly when applied. Avoid applying UV to thin lines, small text or finely detailed artwork.
Open your artwork in Indesign.
Create a new layer for the Spot UV application.
Select the elements you wish to enhance with Spot UV and duplicate them to the new Spot UV layer.
Create a NEW colour swatch and name it “Spot UV”.
Select colour type “Spot Colour”, and convert all Spot UV elements to this new spot color.
Spot UV elements should all be set to 100% Opacity.
IMPORTANT – Select all graphics on the Spot UV layer and set them to “Overprint Fill” in the Attributes palette (Window/Output Attributes).
Select “Overprint Preview” from the ‘View’ menu to CHECK your work.
Export the Spot UV layer – by turning off all layers except the new Spot UV layer, then export as a single PDF with all trim marks.
Proceed to export the CMYK file by turning off the Spot UV layer, then export all CMYK layers with trim marks.
For BUSINESS CARD or SINGLE Page – Combine both Spot UV pdf and the CMYK pdf into a SINGLE PDF – with the last page being the Spot UV.
Open your artwork in Indesign/illustrator.
Create a new layer for the Dieline application.
Create a NEW colour swatch and name it “Dieline”.
Select colour type “Dieline”, and convert all Spot UV elements to this new spot colour.
IMPORTANT – Select all elements on the Dieline layer and set them to “Overprint Strokes” in the Attributes palette (Window/Output Attributes).
Select “Overprint Preview” from the ‘View’ menu to CHECK your work.
Export the Dieline layer by turning off all layers except the new Dieline layer, then export as a single PDF with all trim marks.
Proceed to export the CMYK file by turning off the Dieline layer, then export all CMYK layers with trim marks.
When your artwork is laid out, create a new layer called “Perforations”. Choose a bright spot-colour that is not featured in your artwork (100% Magenta works well) named “Dieline” and set to “Overprint”, then draw dashed lines on “Perforations” layer where you intend the perforations to be placed. Turn off layers except “Perforations” and export the files as a 300dpi PDF with crop and bleed marks. Now turn off the “Perforations” layer and export your artwork as a 300dpi PDF with crop and bleed marks. Upload both files to us for printing.
NOTE: The reverse mirrors the front so check that your perforations are in the correct location (flipped) on the reverse. Ensure your artwork is centred on each page so perforations line up exactly when flipped.
Please ensure you supply your artwork to us as individual pages in the PDF, not as spreads (e.g. a 16pp booklet should be supplied as one PDF with 16 pages).
All files supplied as print ready artwork must be saved in PDF format. Other file types such as JPG, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Word Documents are not print-ready and require additional prepress where possible to convert to a print ready format, which will incur additional costs. PowerPoint and Publisher files cannot be used and must be saved in pdf format before supplying to FSG.
Bleed is the buffer zone around your artwork that allows for artwork to print to the edge of the product.
FSG requires a minimum of 3mm bleed on standard printing and 5mm on books and wide format jobs. Any background colours or images that are placed on the edge of the page must be extended past the page edge to the appropriate bleed margin.
A safe area margin inside the trim size is also required to ensure that no important information gets trimmed off. The minimum margin is 3mm but we recommend 5mm.
All commercial printers print in CMYK.
RGB colours are not supported and when converted to CMYK can lose their vibrancy. For this reason, all artwork should be supplied in CMYK to minimise variation in colour from what is expected and what is produced. If your artwork is RGB and converted by FSG we cannot guarantee any consistency in the colours printed.
For the best image quality, images used in your artwork should be 300dpi.
Anything lower will result in a loss of clarity. Please note that saving a 100dpi image at 300dpi to achieve a larger size will not improve the quality of the final printed image.
All fonts used in your artwork must be embedded in the print ready PDF or converted to curves/outlines before creating the PDF file.
If a file is printed without an embedded font there is a chance that the appearance of the text will change.
The best way to supply an artwork that will require changes by FSG, is to export a Packaged InDesign/Illustrator Folder that includes all the working files, links and fonts involved in your project.
(in InDesign/Illustrator hit ‘File’, then
‘Package’).
When you have placed an order simply send your artwork through to us via email at info@fsg.com.au (or via a service such as WeTransfer if your file is too large!).
Once we have received your artwork we will do a comprehensive check over it and email through a PDF proof for you to sign off before printing starts.
