Druk Poznań / ul. Św. Michała 100, produkcja hala H12, biuro budynek P2, pok. 9 / 61-005 Poznań

Specification

Here you will learn how to properly prepare a file for printing.

Jeśli twój plik spełnia 5 poniższych wytycznych, to prawdopodobnie jest poprawnie przygotowany do druku.

CMYK colors

The file for printing should be prepared in the CMYK color space.

File format

The safest way to save the file is in .pdf or .tiff format.

Bleed

The file should contain a bleed (3 or 5 mm) and trim marks.

Resolution

The resolution for A3 files or smaller is 300 dpi, and for files larger than A3 - 150 dpi.

Plotting

Only vector shapes in .pdf, .ai or .eps format are notched on the plotter.

Ogólne zasady
Opcje dodatkowe
Najczęstsze błędy
Dostarczanie plików

General rules

Workspace

The order specifies the net format (target format after cutting), but the file should be prepared in gross format. This means that bleed should be added to the net format.

For a double-sided project, each print side should be prepared as a separate .pdf page. A file with pages side by side over a larger area is not a file properly prepared for duplex printing.

Safe margins

To avoid clipping the text and other important design elements, move them away from the edge by min. 3 mm. For mesh banners, the safe margin is 50 mm.

Bleed

This is the area around the net format that is needed to properly cut the printouts. All elements, background or graphics, that reach the edge must be embedded in the bleed. This will prevent any unprinted edges from being visible. The bleed is given for one edge, i.e. a business card with a net format of 90 x 50 mm with a bleed of 3 mm, has a gross format of 96 x 56 mm.

Digital and solvent printing – 3 mm bleed, e.g. business cards, letterhead, posters.

UV prints – 5 mm bleed, e.g. printing on plywood, PVC or Dibond.

Banners – project in net format (no bleeds).

Roll-upy – spad o szerokości 100 mm wyłącznie przy dolnej krawędzi (pozostałe krawędzie bez spadu).

Canvas – spad 25 mm z grafiką + 25 mm pustego spadu (25 mm spadu z grafiką to bok ramy, natomiast pusty/biały spad to obszar potrzebny do przymocowania płótna do ramy).

Roll-ups – 100 mm wide bleed only at the bottom edge (other edges without bleed).

Canvas – 25 mm bleed with graphics + 25 mm empty bleed (25 mm with graphics is the side of the frame, while empty / white bleed is the area needed to attach the canvas to the frame). 

 

The color space of projects should be prepared in the CMYK color space. If the file contains RGB or Pantone colors, they will be converted to the CMYK color space. The design may then differ from the originally given colors, for which Drukpoznan.pl will not take responsibility. Files should not contain embedded color profiles. It is best to use color charts or perform a test print when designing.

 

 

Black color – projects prepared for digital printing should contain black elements as objects in 100% black. In solvent and UV printing, such elements should be prepared from the CMYK components: 30/30/30/100 (exception: small text – then 100% black remains).

Resolution – files containing bitmap graphics should be prepared in the appropriate resolution:

• A3 files or smaller at 300 dpi

• files larger than A3 at 150 dpi

• large format printing, viewed from a distance, is enough at 72 dpi.

File format for printing – it is safest to save the project to .pdf or .tif format, however, the latter must be flattened (without transparency). Sending open files (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign or CorelDraw X4) may cause delays in the execution of the order – after opening and saving to .pdf / .tif files, we send the files for customer approval. Please remember that files for plotting should be prepared only in vector graphics, saved as .pdf or .eps.

Foiling – in projects with a dark background or with many dark elements, we suggest (if possible) securing the print with foil.

Additional options

Notching on the plotter

It means cutting the foil into any shape and size. In case of a project consisting of several elements, we recommend finishing with a transfer foil, which makes it easier to stick the entire pattern onto a properly prepared surface.

Preparation of the cutting line for plotting:

• only vector shapes are plotted

• in the file for printing with plotting, a graphic with a 3 mm bleed should be prepared, and the shape of the cut as pink lines applied to the top layer

• in the file for cutting the foil only, plotting should be prepared as vector shapes, filled with black (100% black)

• files prepared for cutting on a plotter should be prepared in .pdf format

• a tolerance (offset) of 0.5 mm must be taken into account for cutting.

White color

At Drukpoznan.pl we print, in addition to the basic CMYK colors, also with an additional white color. The printout can only contain white elements (e.g. 1/0 print) or color graphics with white elements (e.g. 5/0 print with selectively white). The white color can also be printed as an opaque solid under the CMYK graphics (the so-called 5/0 printing with white all over).

In order to properly prepare the file for printing, additional elements should be created on the graphic, which will be printed in white. These items must be 100% Cyan, but you must rename it “White” in the Color Settings and select “Spot Color”. Elements prepared in this way must be assigned “Overprint”. These elements should also be reduced by 0.4 mm, if the white will only be underprinted under the CMYK graphics.

Therefore, in white printing, the most important thing is:

• vector graphics are best suited for ground print

• the spot color must be named “White”

• due to fitting, we do not recommend underprinting for small elements, e.g. small text

• elements printed in white must be superimposed on CMYK graphics and have the “Overprint” assigned

• the underprint may contain a solid fill of 100% “White” or intermediate values ​​in the range of 0-100% (e.g. 30% “White”) or with a tonal transition (gradient made of “White”).

Example 

It shows the effect of using white in printing on transparent materials. The printout can only contain white elements (e.g. 1/0 print) or color graphics with white elements (e.g. 5/0 print with selectively white). The white color can also be printed as an opaque solid under the CMYK graphics (the so-called 5/0 printing with white all over). When sending a file for printing, it is worth adding information whether the white color should be placed only under the graphics or on the entire printout.

Stamping – the following recommendations are required for stamping:

• the embossing should be saved as a separate file in .pdf format

• only vector graphics can be embossed

• the embossed shape must be 100% black only

• the embossed element should not reach the edge

• the minimum thickness of the element is 0.4 mm

• the minimum distance between stamped elements is 0.75 mm

• the minimum size of the basic font is 12 points, we will not fit stamping with printing, selective varnish and / or hotstamping in one print.

Creasing – it is a kind of a special dent in the paper, which enables folding the paper into smaller parts, for example: one creasing in the middle of an A4 leaflet gives us a folded four-page A5 leaflet.

In case you wish to order a creasing, please provide an additional information on its type. If creasing is different than for a leaflet folded in half, in Z or C, please send an additional file with creasing lines overlaid (creasing is marked with a straight black line).

In prints with a dark background, we recommend foiling to protect the printout from cracking.

Perforation – it is a special incision that divides the leaflet’s surface into smaller areas (so-called scraps). This allows them to be easily peeled off. Perforation is especially used in printing tickets, coupons or discount vouchers.

In case of perforation, please send an additional file with perforation lines overlaid (the perforation is marked with a black dotted line).

Punching – it is enough to mark the place of making the hole on the first side of the design (obverse) with a circle of 1 mm diameter in pink (or appropriately contrasting the background).

Please note:

• the hole marker is a circle with a diameter of 1 mm

• the beginning of the buttonhole must not be closer than 3 mm from the edge

• holes on the right side of the obverse will come out on the left side of the reverse (and vice versa)

• when ordering, please state the diameter of the hole.

UV varnish – is the most popular type of refinement. When preparing files, remember that:

• the varnish should be saved as a separate file in .pdf format

• the shape for UV varnish is best prepared in vector graphics

• the paint mask must be 100% black only

• varnishing should not reach the edge (minimum 2-3 mm distance).

Hotstamping – files for this refinement are prepared similarly to stamping:

  • hotstamping should be saved as a separate file in .pdf format
  • covered with hot foil can only be vector graphics
  • the selected shape contains only 100% black
  • hotstamping can be used on two sides of the project (for more information, please contact us by e-mail)
  • the minimum thickness of the element is 0.2 mm
  • the minimum spacing between elements is 0.4 mm
  • the minimum size of the basic font is 8 points
  • we will not fit hotstamping with printing, selective varnish and / or stamping in one print
  • the minimum distance between printing and hotstamping is 2 mm (it is not possible to adjust hotstamping perfectly for printing)
  • the maximum format of the substrate is 210 x 297 mm.

 

Die-cutting – to make, for example, business cards or pendants, in a unique non-standard shape, you need a die.

For this purpose, a technical drawing should be designed in the vector graphics – preferably on a separate layer, superimposed on the print design (for the appropriate fit). Three files should be saved in .pdf format: for printing, a die and a preview file (a die superimposed on the print).

The cutting lines, i.e. knives, are marked in the die design with black, creasing – with green, and perforation – with red dotted line.

In prints with a dark background, we recommend foiling to protect the printout from cracking.

The most common mistakes

Incompatibility of the order parameters with the design – dimensions, number of pages or type of refinements must agree with the order placed. Any non-compliance will delay the execution of the order.

No bleeds – the project’s background, if other than white, should be extended beyond the cutting line. If your design has no bleeds, you may see unprinted edges after cutting it.

No bleeds – the project’s background, if other than white, should be extended beyond the cutting line. If your design has no bleeds, you may see unprinted edges after cutting it.

No preview file – in case of files with non-standard parameters or with personalization, please attach preview files / visualization.

 

No information about the page order – in the correct page layout, the first page of the PDF is front cover / obverse / front. The other side is the reverse. For multi-page publications, the second page is the page behind the front cover and the last page of the PDF is the back cover. If the page order is not reflected in the project, the file structure or preview file, it may be printed incorrectly.

 

Incorrect file extension – the file has been saved with an extension other than what we accept. Such a file should be saved in .pdf or .tiff format, or alternatively .ai, .eps, .psd, .indd, .cdr (X4) or .jpg.

Elements too close to the edge

The safe margin is 3 mm (for banners it is 50 mm). If important design elements are closer to the cut line, they may be trimmed. In the case of frames, we suggest that you move them away from the edge by 5 mm (or use such a minimum thickness). The design background, if other than white, should extend beyond the cut line. If your design has no bleeds, you may see unprinted edges after cutting it.

Use of colors other than CMYK – the designs should use the CMYK color space. Pantone and RGB colors will be converted to CMYK, so the final design may differ from the originally specified colors, after printing. Such a printout is not subject to complaint.

 

Texts composed of all CMYK components – if the project contains small text, fill it with 100% black. Black-filled text, including all CMYK components, may not be readable when printed due to colors mismatch.

Overprint in the project – CMYK inks are semi-transparent, therefore the design objects, which are above, cut out the objects below. Overprint blocks this cutting, so that the objects below are printed in full, and objects from the higher layer are printed over them (the colors are mixed). Therefore, the overprint should only be used for the spot color “White” and for small black texts (so that no white borders are created when matching the colors). Using overprint for other elements may result in incorrect printing of the entire project.

Bitmap files – bitmap files should be saved as flattened .tif with 8-bit color depth and without LZW compression. Otherwise, the file may become distorted during discoloration.

Texts not converted into curves – a project in which texts have not been converted into curves may be incorrectly printed, because its fonts will be available only on the author’s computer, and our system will embed others. If the designs are to be edited by us, e.g. personalization of business cards, please embed the fonts in the PDF template or send a separate file with the font.

Special effects from graphics programs – if a project includes special effects such as lens, shadow, transparency, fountain fill, or blending modes, they may not be read correctly by other devices. It may result in an unintentional change to the design. It is best to convert the background and elements with special effects to a bitmap (300 dpi CMYK settings).

 

Small refinement elements and their wrong fit – the order will not be processed or there will be a delay in its implementation, if the elements intended for refinement are smaller than recommended and they will not fit properly in the print (see: “ADDITIONAL OPTIONS”). Please also remember that the mask for refinements must be marked as 100% Black.

Files delivery

e-mail

Files directly attached to e-mails should not be larger than 25 MB. It is more convenient and faster to share larger files via network drives (preferably WeTransfer.com), and sharing only download links via e-mail.

FTP

For our clients Drukpoznan.pl offers an individual and cost-free FTP account, ensuring full privacy of the delivered materials. We clean our FTP servers once a month, deleting all files except for those currently in production. At the customer’s request, files for mass orders can be kept for a time agreed upon. If you wish to get an access to our FTP server, please talk to your account manager.

If you cannot send files via the Internet, you can deliver them on traditional drives, such as USB flash drive or an external drive, directly at the Customer Service Office.