Frequently asked questions

Artwork is a completed design ready for print. Artwork is usually created in the Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign, or Corel Draw. This artwork file is converted to a print ready PDF before submitting for print.

Image resolution refers to the sharpness and quality of an image. The higher the resolution, the better quality the final printed product.

A proof is a printed or digital sample of work to be checked for errors in text, positioning or quality of colour reproduction. A proof is the first step towards your final piece of work.  Think of it as a working draft just waiting to be perfected. 

We provide a digital proof with some of our artwork services. 

This is the industry standard for saving files in an acceptable and stable format.  When you supply files for print you will usually be asked to supply them in PDF format. We can accept other formats.

You can save out a design file or word processing file by choosing the “file”>”save as” options.  Remember that you will often need to add crops and bleeds to your files before submitting them for print.

DPI refers to “dots per inch” indicating the resolution of an image. The more dots per inch, the higher the resolution and the better quality the image. 

In printing the dpi resolution is very important so that you get the best quality finish you can with no pixellation.  Pixellation is where the image looks grainy and distorted and happens when an image is supplied under the recommended dpi.

Uncoated paper does not have a coating. It can be written on, and overprinted, so is commonly used for letterheads and compliment slips. Uncoated paper is also referred to as bond or offset paper.

Uncoated paper compares to coated paper, which is made with a coating, such as gloss or silk.

We use FSC certified stocks.

Pixels refer to the tiny dots of colour that make up a digital image; think pointillism for the digital age.  Thanks to really good design platforms like Photoshop, we can edit imagery pixel by pixel.

Paper that is made with a coating, such as gloss or silk, which makes the paper appear shinier. A silk coating feels smooth to the touch and has a gentle shine, ideal for displaying colourful images. A gloss coating has a stronger shine and smoother finish, and display colours vibrantly.

Coated paper is commonly used for leaflets and flyers.

We use FSC certified stocks. 

Have you ever created an impressive print design only to find a thin white line at the very edge? If you discover a thin white line at the edge of your print upon receiving it, you must have forgotten to include a printing bleed in your artwork.

Bleed

Now, what is bleed for printing? Bleed is the extra space around the outside of your document that will be cut off during production. It is essential in printing almost all types of paper print products including business cards, presentation folders, canvas prints and even banners.

Print documents usually have crop marks which indicate where the cutting machine needs to cut. Although new cutting technology has made it easier to cut print products more accurately, it can’t always cut perfectly.

This results in a slight shift where the machine cuts beyond the intended trim line. If your artwork doesn’t have a bleed, the resulting print would have thin white lines at the very edge.

How do we prevent this from happening? We need to include extra information outside of your design document which we will be cut off. This is the printing bleed.

How to set up a bleed?

The print bleed can be created as you set up your file. Find the bleed option in your document setup and create a 3 mm bleed over the document edges. For some large products such as banners and panels we recommend a bleed of 5 mm. This way, there will be no chance of white edges when your product is cut at the trim line.

Creating a bleed is a small, but important step in making stunning print products. Remember to include one in your print document the next time you order a brochure or flyer!