GUIDELINES
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1. Scope
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2. Key definitions
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3. Types of files
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4. General information
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5. File resolution
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6. Bleeds/Safe area
10
7. Panelling
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8. Cut contours
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9. Colour separation
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10. Reference materials
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11. Beachflag, windscreen, deckchair and others
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12. Appendix
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1. SCOPE The document describes technical parameters and the method of prepress preparation of materials supplied to LaboPrint S.A. Printing House. It has been developed to make our Customers aware of the technical requirements of preparation of materials for large format digital printing. By complying with the instructions you will help us to meet the highest customer service standards and final product quality expectations as well as to conform to the standards of print production.
2. KEY DeFIniTIONS Uniform background (apla) - a surface covered by any colour with 100% saturation. Font - a digital record (file) of a typeface. Lens filter - a set of filters used in Corel family programs. They allow, among other things for effects such as transparency or shadow. They may cause undesirable image errors when not flattened. Raster graphics - an image described using a grid of pixels, e.g. a photo from digital camera. The size of the raster image cannot be enlarged without losing quality. Vector graphics - an image described using geometric figures. Vector files can be enlarged without losing quality. Reference materials - materials used as models of colours in print. They can include proofs or test print approved by the Customer. Overprint - an attribute given to the colour of a graphic element. Overprint colour is multiplied using the colour directly under it. Improper use may lead to printing errors (e.g. disappearing elements, wrong colours). Package - a form of transmitting a file. A package includes an open file and font files, bitmap and other project elements (e.g. logotypes). Registration mark - a “viewfinder” placed outside the target format of publication.
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Composite file - a production file which is not divided into separate CMYK colours with the full palette of colours used in the project visible. Open file - a program file saved in its own saving format (e.g. .psd, .indd or .cdr). The “pack” can also be described as an “open” file. Preview file - a file prepared in low resolution. It is used to verify the visual correctness of a source file. It does not represent the colours or quality of the product. It is not used in the production process. Closed file - an artwork printed to a postscript file. In practice it means an artwork saved in a .tif, .pdf or .eps file in which no further changes are made. PPI/DPI (number of pixels/dots per inch) - a unit determining the resolution of a bitmap. PPI specifies the resolution of a file and DPI – the resolution of printing machines. Proof - a specially made coloured printout, an image which is maximally close to the one the Customer wants to achieve in terms of colour accuracy. Bleeds - background graphics that extends beyond the target size. A bleed guarantees correct finishing. Flattening - joining many layers of artwork an into one bitmap. Trim box - an area defined in a PDF file which determines the final format of an artwork. Cut contour - a graphic file including the shape which is to be cut e.g. on a cutting plotter/milling machine. Changing to curves/outlining texts - change of text in the design into an object form, which does not retrieve information about the typeface from the font file. It gives a 100% reliability that all texts will be correctly printed.
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3. TYPES OF FILES 3.1 Only closed files are accepted for production, i.e.:
PDF
EPS
TIFF
3.2 Open files ARE NOT ACCEPTED for production.
.ai
.cdr
.indd
.psd
3.3 PDF files must be prepared: • in composite • postscript level 1, 2 or 3 • PDF 1.3 or 1.6 (Acrobat 4 or Acrobat 7) • PDF files cannot be password protected
4. GEnERAL InFORMATIOn 4.1 LaboPrint S.A. uses the metric system. LaboPrint S.A. is not responsible for any errors in conversion to the metric system. Rounding up of an artwork size is always to nearest whole number. EXAMPLE 1:
40x60 inches = 102x153 cm 40x2,54 = 101,6 rounded up to 102 cm 60x2,54 = 152,4 rounded up to 153 cm
EXAMPLE 2:
6x11 feet = 186x341 cm 6x30,48 = 182,88 rounded up to 183cm 11x30,48 = 335,28 rounded up to 336 cm --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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4.2 Overprints MUST NOT be used in files. Labo Print S.A. is not responsible for any errors in print caused by the use of overprints. EXAMPLE:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.3 Every order should be accompanied with a preview in the form of .jpg file in the display resolution. The preview file will make it possible to correctly verify the contents of the print file. 4.4 Print files names must be as short as possible to enable fast and proper identification. Special marks and national characters (e.g. ą ć ł * < > ? : ; / \ etc.) must not be used in file names. You must name the print files PRINT. Preview files must be named PREV. EXAMPLE: banner_st_stevens_PRINT.pdf banner_st_stevens_PREV.jpg 17052014_SPF148799_banner_st_stevens_1570mmx6800mm_v3.1_._pdf SPF148799_änschnitt.jpg -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.5 Print files with an artwork size under 5m must be prepared in a 1:1 scale. Print files with an artwork exceeding 5m must be prepared in a 1:10 scale. LaboPrint S.A. will not accept files in any other scale. The resolution should be selected in accordance with the Table in pt 5.
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4.6 Print files must not have marked eyelets or include descriptions, file names, registration marks, cutting marks, densitometry scale or any other elements which are not the design. EXAMPLE: marks.pdf 1 2014-10-07 13:11:34
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.7 All text must be outlined (or converted to curves in Corel products family). EXAMPLE:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.8 All bitmaps and other elements of design must be embedded in the document.. EXAMPLE:
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4.9 TIFF files must be flattened to the background and saved with LZW compression. EXAMPLE:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4.10 Files must include Trim Box compatible with the target artwork format. EXAMPLE:
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4.11 Each design must be saved as a separate file or on a separate page in a multi-page file. Multiple designs cannot be prepared as a single artwork. 4.12 Print files cannot contain attached OPI comments. 4.13 The orientation of print files must match the orientation on the order. It is imperative due to the finishing processes (eyelets, welds, sleeves positioning and mounting of other accessories). EXAMPLE: Size of ordered print width 300cm / height 100cm
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5. FILE RESOLUTION 5.1 Foil, plates, polyester: a Artwork size
Resolution (file in 1:1 scale *)
up to A4 format
300 ppi
Over A4 format
150 ppi
5.2 Other materials: a Artwork size
Resolution (file in 1:1 scale *)
up to 2 m2
150 ppi
2-5 m2
100 ppi
5-25 m2
80 ppi
25-50 m2
50 ppi
Over 50 m2
30 ppi
* In case of files in the scale of 1:10 the resolution must be 10 times higher than the one specified.
6. BLEED/SAFE AREA 6.1 Each file must contain bleed area. Proper use of a bleed ensures that the finishing of a print will be done correctly. Finishing
Bleed
standard
0,5cm
foil applicated on a plate
1,5cm
framing
6cm
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6.2 Each file must have a safe area for texts and other important design elements. The size of safe area depends on the finishing of the print. Using suggested safe areas guarantees that no text or important design element will be sewn over, welded, missing or deformed in any other way.
area for and safe a re a d blee m sleeve w to use nd botto o a h p E to L P h EXAM 0cm wit t 300x60 eter. a printou f 40mm in diam o le o for a p
Safe area (file in 1:1 scale *)
Finishing cutting to size + eyelets
3cm
welding/sewing
4cm
sleeve (double sided banner)
4cm + sleeve flat *
sleeve (flag)
3cm + sleeve flat *
plotting/milling/cutting to size
A
0,5cm
* How to calculate a flat sleeve? 1/2 x 3,14cm x the pole diameter in cm. We round up the result. EXAMPLE:
sleeve for a pole of 40mm in diameter top/bottom, sides cut to size 1/2 x 3,14 x 4 = 6,28 cm rounded up to 7 cm
7. PANELLING 7.1 Works, whose short side is wider that the material are panelled. Division to panels is made by the Printing House.
bleed Size with
cm
301x601
00cm
e 300x6
twork siz Target ar
78cm
xt 299x5
a for te Safe are
7.2 The Printing House discourages the Customers from panelling files themselves. In case of files panelled by the Customer, the Printing House shall not be held liable for any errors which might occur when compiling panels.
8. CUT CONTOUR 8.1 In case of an artwork cut to shape (foil, flags etc.) we require a cut contour to be attached to the file.
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8.2 The cut contour should be prepared on additional layer as a stroke and saved in a PDF file. The colour of the stroke should be added to the library as a spot colour and named “CutContour”. EXAMPLE:
Cutting line -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8.3 When placing an order for many copies (more than 20 pieces) of small works (smaller than A4), they must be tiled on a 100x100cm sheet. EXAMPLE:
The file CUTCONTOUR.PDF constitutes an example of a properly prepared print file with a cut contour. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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9. COLOUR SEPARATION 9.1 The same colour can have a different tone when printed on a different material or with a different technology. 9.2 All print files must be prepared in CMYK colour model with an 8-bit colour depth. 9.3 Files prepared in other colour spaces are automatically converted into CMYK colour space. LaboPrint S.A. shall not be held responsible for colour differences occurring during the conversion. 9.4 Print files MUST NOT contain ICC colour profiles. 9.5 An artwork with a spot PANTONE colour should be saved in a PDF/EPS file. Spot colours ARE NOT supported by TIFF raster files. 9.6 Printouts of PANTONE colours simulation in UV/UV Flat technology should be compared with PANTONE Solid Uncoated chart. 9.7 Prints of PANTONE simulation in Solvent/Latex technology should be compared with PANTONE Solid Coated chart. 9.8 In case of spot PANTONE colours, the selected colours must be used in the file. EXAMPLE:
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9.9 It is not possible to ideally reproduce PAnTOnE colours in digital print. Colours on the printout may differ from the standard by one shade. 9.10 The total ink limit (TIL) cannot be higher than 300%. EXAMPLE:
TIL = 251% < 300% TIL = 311% > 300% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9.11 To obtain the right saturation of the black colour depth the following values must be used (depending on the technology): EXAMPLE:
SUBLIMATION UV/SOLVENT --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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9.12 White ground print under a part of the artwork in a raster file must be prepared in the new spot colour channel with a 100% solidity and described as: “WHITE_INK”. EXAMPLE:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9.13 White ground print under a part of graphics must be prepared on a separate layer of the vector file. A new swatch of a spot colour with 100% saturation must be used and named “WHITE_INK”. EXAMPLE:
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10. REFERENCE MATERIALS 10.1 If accurate colour representation is necessary, a proof must be supplied. 10.2 The proofs must be prepared after final verification of the print files. 10.3 In case of Customer’s print approval, that approved print becomes the reference material. 10.4 In the absence of a colour model, the artwork is printed in accordance with CMYK colour values contained in the file. 10.5 Printouts from past productions are not a colour model. They can only serve as a benchmark for the Printing House. When using this type of reference materials LaboPrint S.A. can not guarantee a satisfactory colour outcome due to the conditons beyond the Printing House’s control. 10.6 LaboPrint S.A. does not cross reference CMYK colours with RAL/HKS charts or colour foils.
11. BEACHFLAG, windsCreen, deckchair and others In case of beach flags, windscreens, deckchairs and other textile products it is essential that the artwork isprepared on the Printing House’s templates. The templates are available through our Customer Service. The templates already contain a cut contour made in accordance with to Point 8 of the Guidelines. One should only adjust the graphics to the cut contours, paying attention to safe areas and flag dimensions.
12. appendix The Printing House shall not be held liable for the improper transfer of files prepared contrary to the guidelines above into print forms or the improper transfer of files containing objects originating directly or indirectly from CorelDraw or AutoCAD programs. Moreover, it may refuse to accept files improperly prepared. All additional operations aimed at alining the files with the Guidelines and all changes made by the Printing House upon the request of the Customer shall be treated as an additional service rendered for a charge.
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