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.
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.
