Artwork Information

Getting your artwork right before it reaches us saves time for everyone. Here's what we need from you, follow this and your job will move through our checks and onto press without delays.

Colour Profile

Supply artwork in CMYK rather than RGB. RGB files will be converted to CMYK in our workflow, but colours often shift in conversion. Setting your document to CMYK at the start gives you control over how the final print looks.

Bleed

Remember all jobs with a solid colour or image that should go to the edge of the page need 3mm of extra image past the actual edges of the document, on all sides.

The 3mm bleed will ensure there are no white areas left at the sides of your design.

Safe Zone

Keep all text, logos, and important content at least 3mm inside the trim edge. The safe zone and the bleed work together: bleed takes the image 3mm outside the trim, the safe zone keeps your content 3mm inside it. Anything closer to the edge risks being cut into.

Resolution

Images should be 300dpi at final printed size. Lower-resolution images print soft or pixelated, especially at larger formats.

Fonts

Either outline all fonts before exporting, or embed them in the PDF. Missing fonts cause text reflows and substitutions in our workflow.

File Formats

PDF saved as PDF/X-1a with crop marks and 3mm bleed included is our preferred format. We also accept:

• Adobe InDesign, packaged with linked images and fonts
• Adobe Illustrator, with fonts outlined
• Adobe Photoshop, flattened at 300dpi and CMYK
• Microsoft Word for simple jobs, where output quality is limited by the source application

Supplying Artwork

Several options, pick whichever suits the file size and your workflow:

• Dropbox: we will share a folder with you on request
• WeTransfer: send to artwork@bdprints.co.uk
• Email: for files under 10MB
• USB stick: drop off at our Leyland reception

For artwork advice or to talk through a job before sending, call 01772 435050 or email hello@bdprints.co.uk.